Wimbledon, Chelsea, Hyde Park

We were in for a surprise this morning - the tube drivers went on strike last night at midnight.  We got home from the cricket at about 10 so I suppose we were lucky there.  Today we are going to Wimbledon and Chelsea Football Stadium.  Both are on the southern side of the Thames, so it's going to be interesting getting there on the bus!!!
We bought a bus timetable and it was like reading hieroglyphics, none of it made any sense.  There were information people scattered around the bus stops because there were so many people around who didn’t know what they were doing I suppose the bus companies employed a few people so we could get directions.  Got on the first bus and got off at the right stop, changed to another one, got on it, then got off because we were on the wrong side of the road...right bus number, just going in the wrong direction!!!  Corrected our error and we stood up near the front of the bus, the driver could hear our confused conversation so he looked after us and dropped us off at Wimbledon.
Made it in time for the tour, the Championships start in a week so all the grounds were in peak condition.  There is, for the first time, a roof over Centre Court.  Weren’t sure if we’d get in because of the workers still about.  Luckily got a bit of time in there.  Went through the media section, up to ‘Henman Hill’ and along the other courts.  We’ll have to come back one day when the tennis is on.
Walked around to Chelsea Football Stadium.  This is a team with a salary of $100 million dollars so the facilities are pretty good...for the home team – saunas, spas, massage room, private showers and more.  The opposition have a room with a few hooks, never mind!!!
Got the bus back to the city....because of the tube strike, everybody is either in a car or a on a bus, a trip which usually takes 30 minutes took us over an hour and a half.  Good chance to see a bit of London though...bonus!!  Had another visit to Harrods, had a ice-cream – must have been 2 foot tall – huge, lucky it was fat free??  Decided it would be easier to walk home than getting the bus, walked through Hyde Park and home after a frustrating day on the buses.

Entry to Centre Court

Court 2

Fountain up Henman Hill

Top of Henman Hill

Looking across Court 13 to the media area behind the glass

This will be a nice place to have lunch when we come back for the tennis.

Centre Court

Womens trophy

Chelsea

For the opposition

Chelsea team rooms

Personal lockers

Lade Di memorial at Harrods

Hyde Park

We bought a little packet of mixed nuts to feed the squirrels as we had seen someone doing it the other day.  We were told later we shouldn't feed them because some will attack you and some of them may have rabies.  Nice to know!!!