Now we are in London. We travelled down to London from Chester on Saturday on the train. We used the train system instead of hiring a car and driving and it is excellent. The trains are unbelievably good- and the conductor seemed to think that the French ones are much better than these.We had to change trains twice but that was fine and we all handled it very well. Two adults, 4 chidren, 3 suitcases and a backpack. All arrived in London Euston Station in one piece. Then the fun began -getting the Underground to our accommodation with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in London. We had to take three different trains to get to Victoria Station - down many stairs and up many stairs - but we survived and here we are today - sitting in our bedroom with the Sisters looking after us. It is a real place ofsolace. Very basic accommodation, but clean, quiet and safe in such a big and sometimes daunting city. The location of the accommodation is fantastic as it is just a quick walk to victoria Station and also to buses.'
Our arrival to London was marked by rain and cold. Arrising on Sunday though we saw some glimpses of sun at times and as the week is progressing, the weather is warming. We might even leave the raincoats at home today.
Here is Elizabeth and James inside one of the wonderful English telephone booths.
Our first adventure in London (after the Underground) was the doubledecker bus trip around the city. It was pretty awful as the headsets didn't work and it was so cold that it took away from the highlights. We eventually dumpted the bus trip and walked - a much better idea. We got off the bus at Westminter Abbey (The Church of England church)and as it was Sunday, couldn't go in. We walked however toWestminster Cathedral (the Catholic one) and were able to go in and look around. I had forgotten how beautiful it was. We joined in with the service that was happening at the time, then found a small tearoom in the depths of the church and enjoyed some lunch of roast beef and vegetables. Very basic and very nice. Sunday afternoon we walked, and walked, and walked.
We found ourselves at Buckingham Palace and visited the Queen - but she wasn't in. We did however visit the Palace Mews which is where the Queen houses her horses and also all the carriages. This was very interesting and a very well organised place to visit. We have our own headphones and the clear commentary made it very enjoyable for all. We saw some horses, some amazing carriages, including one that was given to the Queen by the people of Australia to mark the Bicentenary in 1998. We then walked around the front of the Palace and through StJames Park. It is really quite beautiful and James managed to run off on us and pick some daffodils. Funny but probably not allowed!
We have found the Underground to be a great system of rail and used it to visit The Museum of Natural History yesterday. We will go there again today and see a bit more, then take the tube to Knightbridge and see Harrods and take the chiildren to Hyde Park and search for the Princess Diana Playground so the kids can have a run around.
This is a photo of Regent Street
The children have amazed us with their resilience. We thought that James and Xavier might enjoy a morning in today watching TV in the lounge at the nuns then meet up in the afternoon but they all want tocome to the museum, so I suppose that is a good indication that all is going well.We have many things to see in London, but will just plan one day at a time.
Most of the other people staying here are Australian and all have beenreally friendly. The nuns said to Scott and I this morning that we have beautiful children who are very well behaved - so we will take that compliment and be very thankful that we have them. We are both finding that the children force us to explore parts of the city that we probably wouldn't without them which is great.
Here is a photo of James and Xavier doing some work with a skeleton at the Museum of Natural History.
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