Hmmm ninja packing was kinda needed

Today was our last day and we packed everything said goodbye to the apartment  It went very smoothly but sad that the holiday is at an end. We decided to use our last day intelligently and get most out of membership and head to Hampton Court Palace. There had been a Christmas food and wine festival over the weekend so we went in a different entrance and could not go in the front court - no chimney pictures🙁. Oh well nevermind. The Tudor area was beautifully decorated in all the hallways the rest of the Palace areas were a bit underwhelming but as the Tudor section is our favourite we didn't mind. The gardens were looking quite nice considering it is December so we had a quick wander round and even saw some deer in the neighbouring paddock. A quick trip to the Royal School of Needlework to pick up a few things was needed and then headed off for a final Tate viewing. It was quite busy for a Monday afternoon but we got to see all of our favourites. We both looked around some of the rooms and felt a bit sad. It was the last time we got to see them. We then headed to pick up the bags and make our way down the one set of underground steps. A nice man took Maree's bag down and Cheryl after struggling a wee way down finally accepted help and a lovely man took hers the rest of the way. On arriving at Heathrow we had to do some repacking to get the both cases under weight but all was good and we have kilos to spare!!! Just waiting to board now. No pictures the free WiFi isn't up too it.

No ninja packing needed

Today was nearly our last day - we fly out tomorrow night at 10pm so technically we have tomorrow as well. Tate was the obvious first stop for the day and we had a lengthy viewing of the Burne Jones exhibition - 2nd to last one it is still stunning and really noted some cool details in the pictures today. We then made a slightly poor decision to go to the British Museum - Sunday at lunch time really what were we thinking. Things have certainly changed and security is intense with very comprehensive bag searches. This means long queues but it moved fairly quickly. We went in and looked at the Waddesdon Bequest always a favourite had some really nice lunch and did a spot of shopping. We then headed to Trafalgar Square to see the Christmas Tree - better than last time and to check out the art on the plinth - The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist by New York artist Rakowitz. It was great from every angle. Went and checked out the National Gallery new gift shop much shinier than the old but left without purchasing anything. As it was getting darker headed into Oxford / Regent Street to see the lights. Randomly found the statue of Florence Nightingale which was great and an

awesome tree. The lights this year are angels and they are truly awesome. The streets were really busy and once again we showed poor judgement by fighting our way into Fortnum and Mason boy was it busy and folks were shopping up a storm. We then continued in this vein and went to Hamleys it was heaving with people, by this stage we realised we needed to head home and sort the packing so after a quick KFC - classy we know - it was time to pack. This went very smoothly and we are under weight and we are taking all our clothes home minus the boots that still have half a paddock of 'crap' on them. Tomorrow we are headed to Hampton Court and a final Tate trip before the long trip home. This will likely be the final blog post unless we find WiFi at the airport so to all those who have followed our adventure thank you and we hope you have enjoyed it. We have had a wonderful holiday.

The one with the Hurdy Gurdy

Today we visited Windsor it was a stunning morning so took sunglasses and light scarves. Big mistake.... We arrived just before 10 with what looked like 1/2 the population but as we had tickets and were not part of a tour group got through security pretty quick. We decided to take the 10.15 guided tour with Ed he was great awesome knowledge and quick humour. The tour took us around the outside of the buildings and ended at the State Apartments - we learnt loads and it took 45 mins which meant when we entered the Apartments it was fairly quiet and most rooms we were virtually on our own. While walking with Ed we stopped at the rise before St George's Chapel and boy was a cold wind blowing it was howling up the road and it was easy the see why so many ladies lost hats at Eugenie's wedding. It was in the Apartments we saw the wedding outfits from Harry and Meghan's wedding. A couple of points to note she is tiny, the sleeves really were buggy and slightly odd, the top of the zip at the back was just ugly, fabric was very bulky and we couldn't find the NZ flower on the train. Harry's suit had incredible details which didn't show up as they were black on black. The flower girl dresses had overlocked hems eckkk. We then visited St George's Chapel which is stunning especially the vaulted ceiling. As it was the weekend the Queen was in residence but no we did not see her. Her sitting room chimney had smoke coming out it and any wise person would have been by the fire. As we had missed Victorian afternoon tea yesterday we decided to go to Patisserie Valerie for a treat but were so cold we ordered some hot food there and got treats to take away. We then headed back to London. For the evening activity we went to Red House for medieval music and Christmas carols. Boy did it rain getting there - it is a wee walk and thankfully we had worn jeans and not dresses or we would have been extremely wet. The 3 piece played traditional instruments including a Hurdy Gurdy what an awesome thing that is. We were easily the youngest there by about 20 years.....

3rd times a charm

Gosh it rained this morning not a good start to the day but thankfully the walk to the tube is short. Today we visit St Paul's for the 3rd time and finally saw it all. Due to poor planning on the previous visits we had never managed to see it all but we organised ourselves well today. Getting on the 1.5 hour super tour meant we got to see the mathematical staircase - as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and got to sit in the quire stalls and really see the moasic ceiling. Chris was our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us an excellent history of the building. After the tour and a cup of tea we had a full walk around and of course exited through the gift shop. We were meant to attend afternoon tea at the V and A in the Morris room but Cheryl was still feeling not the best so we flagged that but still had a quick visit to see a few things we had missed on the previous visit. Then it was off to late night at the Tate which was a really enjoyable trip through the Burne Jones exhibition. Tomorrow is Windsor and viewing Megan's wedding dress.

The NOT perfect day

After yesterday's stellar day it was always going to be tough for today love up to expectations but it didn't have to try so hard to totally fail. Things got off to a poor start when Cheryl got a bout of food poisoning that struck at 3am that ended her night. Maree woke up with a head ache and shattered so the first to do of the day was cancelled - a trip to Tate. Still wanting to make Hever Cheryl had a rest and we set out to catch 12.15 train. We arrived at Hever Station to find it really is rural and set off following the map to get to the Castle. It wasn't lying when it said you walk over farm land - one paddock was full of sheep and it was very mucky - such fun! Once we had made it past the paddocks it was then a walk up a country road quite narrow no footpath and cars that went way too quick at this point we were pleased we had not opted for the evening time slot. The Castle is privately owned and very different from a National Trust property. Although it is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn very little of the Tudor period remains and the house is full of various purchased pieces from around the time period but not necessarily English. It was beautifully decorated with may trees and arrangements. Due to poor health we didn't get there as early as we had planned and after seeing the walking track we decided to cut the visit short and make sure we were at the station by 3.45 as it is starting to get dark by then this was unfortunate as it meant missing the garden and the miniature house exhibition. You would think having walked the trail not many hours previously we would remember it but alas no when we got to the sheep paddock we had a moment and missed exactly where the marker was and so walked through the clay mud track made by the farmer - pic of boots will follow - only to get to the top of the hill and see where we should have gone.. . Sums up the day really sick and exhausted people shouldn't be let out really but we made it home Hever was interesting and we may be being hard on it. Oh well let's hope tomorrow is better.

Perfect Day

Today was Maree's perfect day Cheryl enjoyed most of it too. It started with a quick visit to the Harrods windows not their best work with the exception of Dior, the tree outside was food inspired there were some bold choices. We had a quick trip through the store Christmas World was disappointing. A Tate visit was next on the list we hadn't been for a few days while there we visited the Pre Raphs on display also. Some lunch and then we decided to risk the slightly dodgy looking weather and check out Brompton Cemetery. What a stunner it is some great angels plenty of squirrels and crows everything you could want in a cemetery. The plan was to visit Alexa Wilding's grave we kind of knew where to go and after a few struggles found it. Were slightly concerned as we scrambled over to it when we found a 1/2 caved in grave but we managed not to put our feet anywhere bad and we're able to get close enough to read her name. Then we headed home for some quiet time as Maree had A Perfect Circle concert. It was awesome just as good as when she saw them 14 years ago. Cheryl spent the night sorting the purchases looks like we have been very well behaved on the buying front. Tomorrow is Hever Castle. 

Straight outta Compton

Today was much gentler on the feet only just made 10000 steps. We headed to Guildford by train and then caught a bus to Compton and made the short walk to the Watts Artist Village. Although it was sunny it was a touch bracing and the coolest day we have had for a while. The village was the brainchild of G. F. And Mary Watts a painter/sculptor and sculptor. They built a house, developed a pottery business that Mary ran after her husbands death a Chapel and lived by the arts and crafts ideals. Now there is a gallery displaying a collection of Watts paintings that also houses some of the now homeless De Morgan Foundation pieces. The De Morgan pieces were our main reason for going as Maree wanted to see Angel of Death - it was awesome but we both loved many of Watts paintings as well. Also at the Gallery was an exhibition on Christina Rossetti and her poetry this was also very interesting and well put together. We then headed to a guided tour of the house - 2 other people joined the tour a small group it must be said - Susan who lead us was very knowledgeable and passionate and we thought the tour lasted an hour it was closer to 1.5 and by this stage it was bloody cold and we were starving. But it was worth doing as it was the only way to see inside the house. Thankfully the cafe had a good menu and we had some Welsh rarebit which was hot and yummy. A quick trip to the gift shop - it is rude not too--and we headed to the Chapel. A round red brick building made by Mary which is decorated inside stunningly. Most surprising was to learn that most was made off site. The relief panels are felt stuck on with rabbit skin glue and a gesso placed over and then painted. It retains a very hand made feel but is an amazing space. On the whole it is well worth a visit and we very much enjoyed our time there. As we were both quite tired today once we got back to London it was home for a quiet night in.

How hard is it to keep left?

Today was going to be a fairly quiet day....instead we did over 27000 steps..... Hmmmm. Firstly was Westminster Abbey always a good start to the day especially with the audioguide listening to Jeremy Irons. Have a slight issue when we realised we should have picked up our Pre paid guide books on entry but got that sorted and made it 1/2way round before our scheduled time at the new Queens Gallery. This is a brilliant addition especially as it is the gallery level and as you go round you can look down over the Abbey. Man so they pump some people through that place. After this part we continued round the rest of the Abbey saw Stephen Hawkins burial stone and managed to see the coronation chair this time which was good. Of course we exited through the gift shop. A quick trip home to sort the rest of the day and pick up the umbrellas as we left in bright sunshine in the morning and it had started to rain quite a lot. We decided Winter wonderland would be the afternoon visit so headed off to Hyde Park. Winter Wonderland has changed a lot in 6 years hardly any stalls selling Christmas decorations and instead it is full of food outlets and rides and fair ground games. As everywhere is tap and go we imagine it could be quite expensive quite easily for some. We just visited the ice garden to see the sculptures. They had a forest and mythical theme and it was awesome. We then walked to Oxford Street via Mayfair and stumbled upon Annabels gosh they decorate for Christmas. We visited John Lewis and their Christmas bauble wall was amazing. To round out the night we went to Dennis Severs House once again an awesome visit and it was decorated for Christmas. As this visit takes place in silence and by candle light stepping back into really life is always interesting as you really notice the change. Our feet are hoping tomorrow's visit to Watts Gallery involves less walking!

We are Tate Britain people

Today we had a nice slow start as we didn't need to be anywhere till midday. Before our noon talk at the Old Operating Theatre we decided to find St Dunstan in the East a ruin of a Christopher Wren Church that was bombed in the blitz. It was very cool and we were a little stunned when 3 other groups also arrived to check it out.... Who knew ruins would be popular on Sunday morning??? We then headed to the Old Operating Theatre to check out the museum before the talk on its history and operating techniques  The woman who did the talk was amazing and really passionate about the building and its history. Maree was concerned when she started by saying everyone had to sit down as people faint during the graphic parts - the graphic part was short and Maree put her fingers in her ears! Again we were amazed at the number of people attending about 30!!!!???? Next we headed to Tate Modern we are not Tate Modern people we are not cool enough and we don't want to be cool enough we are happy being Tate Britain people. But they had a very comprehensive exhibition of the work of Anni Alber's - a weaver who broke boundaries turning textiles into art. Walking over Millennium Bridge was next on the list we may have hummed the Harry Potter theme song as we did this. Just cos we had membership we went to the Tower of London to see the Chapel where Anne Boleyn is buried as it is only open certain times. As the Tower was near to closing and not that busy we saw the Crown Jewels and had a quick tour of the White Tower it was closing so many parts were off limits but did manage to see the Norman Chapel. The Tower is always gorgeous in the evening.

Do you work here????!!!!

Today accuweather didn't have its predicting hat on correctly. We had to leave the house very - for us - early to catch a train to Cambridge. It was a what were we thinking when we booked this moment but we're happy when we picked the tickets up to learn we could catch any train home. Arriving in Cambridge we found it was raining accuweather had predicted fine with rain for a couple of hours around lunch. Oh well up went the umbrellas and off we walked to find the old part of town, the colleges and the Fitzwilliam museum. Due to poor luck both Trinity and King's college were closed and we were too cheap to spend £20 on visiting St John as it was quite cold and damp. We did visit the Round church who had a very good video of the history of Cambridge and the colleges, a quick walk across a bridge to see the river and a visit to 2 colleges rounded out the morning. We saw the Corpus clock on our walk back to the Fitzwilliam where we had lunch and a wander round. As we had entered through the cafe at the side we had no idea how stunning the entrance was till we were looking around. Unfortunately the English gallery is closed at present but we did get to see The Bridesmaid by Millias which was much smaller than expected. Also saw Human Frailty by Rosa which Maree loved - no surprises there. Went through an awesome sampler exhibition titled Sampled Lives which was an added bonus. We kept getting asked questions about the museum and where things were like we worked there.... very strange especially as there were many uniformed assistants around. Have decided we prefer Oxford to Cambridge. Headed home for some dinner and then made the poor decision to visit the Lego shop. In our defence the 'live' indicate on Google said it was not busy.... it was wrong very wrong. We had to briefly queue but it was worth it the stuff they have built is amazing. Cheryl may have made purchases.