I don't know what to say

Today was a blue sky day all day so we began with a trip to Tate. The exhibition is still fantastic and since it is Tate members Christmas shopping weekend it seemed rude not to par take in 20% off purchases. We may  have bought a wee bit of stuff so much that the cashier was a bit stunned. Maree said we came from New Zealand for the exhibition and it was the reason for the holiday. The poor chap looked shocked and said I don't know what to say...  Surely we are not that strange.... A quick trip home to drop off the purchases and it off to Bexleyheath for Red House - a perfect day combination Burne Jones and Red House. Unfortunately Red House is under going some outside maintenance so had a lot of scaffolding which greatly reduced the photographic opportunities. It was our first time seeing the house decorated for Christmas and it was not quite as good as Speke. We saw some new uncovered original features and had some others pointed out so an excellent day. The gift shop had some new treasures so again would be rude to leave them there. Ventured to Earls Court for KFC for tea as the local one is closed - how rude. Tomorrow is an early start for a day in Cambridge.

Veiled urns pointy finger angels and Victoria

Today we started out late as it was wet in the morning and the plan was to visit Kensal Green cemetery but the weather improved so we headed off. Kensal Green is no Highgate it is much more open and contains large numbers of veiled urn tombstones under whelming angels and very randomly placed graves including quite new ones. It is still a working cemetery and while there we saw a horse drawn hearse leave. And boy was it windy very windy. A couple of good squirrel photos were also taken. We then headed back to the apartment for a change of footwear and headed to Kensington Palace. This is always and interesting experience and once again some bits we good but others a touch poor. Diana's dresses were still on display so enjoyed viewing them but the Victoria section of the Palace was a little disappointing we preferred the setup last time. It felt very bare this time. To round out the day we headed to the V and A after checking out the Albert Memorial still not sure it was good use of public money. At the V and A we once again struggled to find our way round trying to find certain rooms is difficult. We visited the embroidered casket, The Beasts of Dacre, and finally found the painting gallery and Rossettis The Day Dream not his best work it must be said. Popped into the Natural History to see what the entrance looks like without Dippy and the blue whale skeleton is no where near as good as Dippy. It was then home via Sainsburys tried the brussel sprout chips they are different.

Even after all this time... Always

Today was the long awaited visit to Warner Brothers for the Harry Potter studio visit. This is a very well organised and run place, even though there are a large number of people visiting it never felt crowded. The day begun with a short introduction and a wee film then we were taken to the Great Hall where the group is given about 5 minutes to enjoy it before being dispatched to the rest of the tour. From here you move through at your own pace viewing various props and stages and taking as many pictures as you want ..... We may have taken a few... maybe a lot. Every aspect of the films is covered with highlights being Dumbledores office, the Forbidden Forest the model of Hogwarts and everything Professor Snape. Halfway through we visited the cafe that sold butterbeer so it had to be tried. Better than expected but possibly doesn't have an exact flavour. We then had a look at the outside pieces and decided to live dangerously and have a butterbeer ice cream - the biggest ice cream known to man. The ice cream was nicer than the drink. It was a highly enjoyable day that well lived up to expectations but once again we exited through the gift shop without buying too much. Choosing pics for tonights blog will be difficult!.

4 gifts shops and hardly any purchases

Today was yet another grey day but for a change it turned into real rain not that thus stopped us. We began with a later start as the first stop was Buckingham Palace and a visit to the Queen's Gallery to see an exhibition based around the Russian English monarchy relationship. It said it opened at 10 and it only contemplated opening at 10 but after full security check we made it in. The Web site did a really good job of selling and possibly over sold as it was mainly portraits of various family members and went over 2.5 rooms we were a tad shocked when we realised it was over especially when they have produced a guide book that is about an inch thick. We are not bringing one home. There was also an exhibition of pictures from the Crimea war. There were a lot of people going through these exhibitions and the gift shop was doing a roaring trade. Next we headed to the Museum of London to see the refurbished Pleasure Garden especially the archeress as Maree had followed it on Instagram. This was an interesting visit as what seemed like every school in London was there some were very poorly behaved. Then we went to the Museum of the Order Of St John housed at St John Gate. We were early for the tour that you need to go on if you want to see the building so looked at displays for way too long. Our tour was a small group of 7 and we got to see both the Tudor and rebuilt Victorian parts as well as visiting the crypt under the church. Unfortunately we were unable to go into the church as it was being rewired but as the church was rebuilt in the 50's we didn't miss much. As there was still time in the day another quick Tate visit had to be done before we quickly ate pasty's at the train station - classy I know - as Cheryl headed to Bat out of Hell the stage show and Maree came home. Bat Out of Hell was awesome but the lady next to Cheryl sang quite loudly so she is now a touch deaf. Tomorrow is Harry Potter day...

exciting.

We stood on the line

Today dawned another grey day and another day where we risked an overground train. The plan was to head to Greenwich and then visit Hobby craft but we decided to head out earlier and hit Hobby craft first. The train made it to the station after running 6 minutes late which we needed so win there. Hobby Craft was okay but Spotlight is probably better. We then decided to be brave and get a bus to the Cutty Sark this is never a good idea when you have no idea where you are going so we had to ask a lady on the bus where to get off thankfully she was very helpful and we got off at the right place. The Cutty Sark is suspended on ground and you can walk around the hull and go inside and see all areas of the ship. It is well set out and quite interesting and we both decided we were not designed for boats. We then had a wander over to the Old Naval College and realising it was getting to 12.30 we decided to head to the Royal Observatory so we could see the red ball drop at 1. We have a video of this if you are unlucky we will make you watch it not sure it was the most exciting 3 seconds ever but have seen it. Heading into the Observatory we like everyone else stood with one foot either side of the meridian line and took a pic of our feet. Through the museum we learnt more than we ever wanted to know about clocks and navigation. It was then down the hill to the Queens House. This has been turned into a gallery space comprising the original layout of rooms and hung with sea themed paintings  - and way too many men with grey wigs and very ruddy complexions. The highlights were an Evelyn de Morgan painting and the Armada portrait of Elizabeth 1. The plan was then to head to the fan museum but it now closes on Monday's so walked under the Thames instead. We wandered up to Canary Wharf and got the tube back home. Tomorrow sees a quieter day around Central London 

When best laid plans fail

Today started with such hope a day the Brighton to see the sea and the Pavilion. Due to planned rail works we were only training to Three Bridges and then getting a replacement bus the rest of the way but that was fine. We made the train station on time boarded the train and set off we got as far as New Cross approx 7 minutes into the journey and the train stopped, while stationery Cheryl saw a fox.... Maree did not - should have known this was a bad omen. After about 10 minutes we got the first announcement 'due to an issue up ahead there would be a delay..... These announcements continued with the added info that the fire brigade had been called and that the train ahead was being evacuated. By this time the train is in darkness as the battery is dying and we have been sitting there for 1.5 hrs. Many passengers had already left as it is the main train to Gatwick Airport, the driver came and told us basically to let the idea of a day at Brighton go and head back into the city. So we were able to get a train replacement bus to our beloved Elephant and Castle where we replanned the day and went to the Tower. As always a great day was had but instead of actors reliving Henry 8th stories they were doing Edward 1st not quite as good it must be said. As the pillows at the apartment weren't up to scratch we headed to Primark - yes pure class - for some new ones and on the way saw the awesome Christmas lights at Carnaby Street and Regent Street and fitted in a quick Liberty visit. Hopefully this will be the only day we fail at the itinerary.
Upon getting home and Googleing said train drama it was not that exciting just some kids causing a disturbance on the train. Grrrr.

Membership still has its privileges

Today saw us depart Liverpool and head for London by train. This was educational as the train was full of football supporters who drank large volumes of beer before midday. Upon arriving we stashed our bags and headed to King's Cross to look at the Harry Potter shop rookie mistake what were we thinking it is Saturday...  All of London was there, there was queue to get in, so we flagged that and headed for the Hardy Tree. This tree in encircled by the head stones of graves that were removed for land development. It is situated in the grounds of Old St Pancras Church. We then headed to the British Library for a quick cup of tea before going to get the apartment keys. The day took a downhill turn when this turned into a huge drama no 6 digit pin number had been sent as they had an issue with the payment but a few phone calls an invoice and paying while standing on street we finally got the pin and the keys. The apartment is nice, very clean and will make a fine home for 16 days and nights and it has Netflix which is a good bonus. This delay meant our first trip to the Tate and the reason for the trip was touch and go but we got there by 4.45 so ventured in. What an epic exhibition spread over 7 rooms the scale of many of the painting is mind blowing can't wait for the first of many return trips. It is fair to say the membership card will get a hammering. We checked out the other Pre Raphs hanging in the gallery before a trip to Waitrose and home for first apartment night. Tomorrow is a trip to the seaside at Brighton.

The 3 's' Sudley, Speke and squirrels

Apologies for the lack of title yesterday was going to add after the blog was written but totally forgot. Also apparently we need to make the blog happier in case you are concerned we are having a great time!!

So for our last day in Liverpool - another chilly grey day but no rain so we were happy - we headed to 2 places not designed to be visited without a car. It must be said the Merseyside rail staff are deeply concerned that they sell you the very best deal ticket and we're worried when we opted to buy a fare to get to the Sudley stop and then we were going to purchase the hop on hop off ticket. As it did not start till 9. 30 we blew the budget and purchased the single tickets to start the day. On this train the tour director (Cheryl) who had spent the morning meticulously planning routes and bus info etc realised the required piece of paper was in the hotel room eckkk so we were winging it..... Luckily there were large signs for us to follow. First up was a decent walk to Sudley House where we arrived at 9.50, they open at 10 not 5 to but 10. So lucky for us there were 6 squirrels frolicking in the trees and as squirrels have been thin on the ground we enjoyed watching them. We then played good samaritan and helped a blind man find his way when his guide dog had had a moment and taken him well off course. The man on the counter possibly didn't live his job and proceeded to tell us the cafe wouldn't open till 12 but it makes no money anyway???  Pointing out where the toilets are seems to be important as well. .. Maybe this is indicative of the age of the usual visitor. Cheryl was very excited about this place as it hold a good collection of paintings by Strudwick and she got to see one of her favourites.
It was then on to Speke Hall we got a bus to as close as we could and then had a bit of a walk to the gate. From the gate it was a decent walk to the entrance and as it was the first day the hall had been open for a while and the first day of the Christmas decorations it was busy very busy. Again we got there a touch early for the hall to be open but wandered around the gardens and took some pics of the outside  It is a stunning Tudor building  that the Victorians bought to life. We timed our entry well and for the most part we relatively alone in the house. The decorations were simply but stunning and both of us loved the hall ways - looking out the lattice windows and the tilts and leans the house has acquired over its lifetime. We almost missed the great hall with the Christmas tree but realised in time!
Then it was time to head back to the hotel and pack for London tomorrow.