ffiona56

[ffiona56]

Hols May 2019

Monday 20th May 2019: managed to catch the train from Notts to Skegness (by the skin of my teeth). Arrived in lovely sunshine, a couple of hours early for the guest house, but the lovely lady said I could check in anyway as the room was ready. Nice part of Skegness actually: opposite the sand dunes and the other side of the clock tower to where I normally stay. Dumped the bag, quick coffee and out for a wander. 

First stop: Jacket Potato on the Pier. This is always my first stop lol. Suitably nourished, I took a walk up the main road, ducking in and out of the gift shops; my frugalistic motto is - it's probably cheaper at the next shop. Also had a look in the multitude of charity shops whilst on my wanders. Later on, I took a tour of the sand dunes, which was really lovely. Not even been down this end of Skegness before, strangely! Tide was out so a nice stretch of beach to walk/paddle down. Had a sit down in the dunes and just watched the ocean - so relaxing.

So you REALLY have to do the pier whilst in Skegness lol - (I even have a loyalty card for my tickets hahaha). Checked the balance, but didn't see anything I wanted in the gift area, so added a few more points to the total instead. Might save up for something BIG lol.

Didn't really do anything spectacular on my flying visit, but it was so lovely just to see the sea again, and visit a place I feel at home in.

Tuesday 21st: caught the 10.15am train back to Nottingham, then straight down to St Pancras, arriving around 2ish. It's been over 40 years since I visited London, so I was really looking forward to the trip. Found the hotel really quickly 2 - 3 min walk from the station! However, it was in a lovely, quiet square. You would never believe Euston Road was only a few hundred yards away! Room was small, but perfectly adequate. Bathroom was immaculate! But that bed....OMG a 3/4 bed with 3 massive soft pillows! Comfortable is not the word....I want one!! Yet again, dumped the bag, quick coffee, and decided to walk along Euston Road first, to see what was close by. With the help of Google of course!

British Library was my first stop! I'd been looking forward to this since I booked the holiday. Very imposing place; floor to ceiling books. Loads of students with laptops inside; all beavering away conscientiously. You had to have a pass to access most of the stuff, but just looking around the place took my breath away! Sat outside the main entrance for a while later; it was a lovely sun trap with a great view. Chatted to a nice lady who asked where I had my hair done (LOL). Watched all the busy, busy commuters rushing around whilst we were sunbathing hahaha

Multitude of sirens blasting along Euston Road and lots of police presence, around 6ish, so cowardy custard (me) decided to call it a day and go back to the hotel - with food of course!

Wednesday 22nd: put my brave girl knickers on, and decided to do the Underground. Let me explain - I had NO INTENTION of using the tube. Horrible thing. Don't do underground. Don't do crowds. Don't do not knowing where the heck I'm going. BUT I wanted to go to Camden Market, but not arrive footsore. One stop on the Northern Line. Scanned my Oyster Card and went through the barriers like a pro! Got on the right train (lol), and off we went. It was really cool LOL. Loved it!! My new favourite pastime! Who knew??

Oh Camden Market was fabulous! My first (of only 2, suprisingly) encounter with a slightly eccentric character was on the way here hahaha. Nice man. Stopped me in the street, and proclained 'Jesus loves you'. I thanked him and continued.

Took a couple of videos walking through the cobbles; some amazing stalls - especially the Indian ones. They smelled SO good too! Found the canal, and walked the path for a while. Weirdly though, I seemed to end up where I started lol. My sense of direction is really shit! Bought a few trinkets and went on my way. Suddenly I had the urge to go see some non-humans. I figured the zoo was the best place for that, so I walked all the way to Regents Park (with the help of Google directions) and paid the £30 entrance fee. Actually, that was the minimum I thought it would cost - I was prepared for more to be honest.

Highlights: 1. In with the Lemurs - they really don't have a problem with humans! It was lovely to see them so close!! 2. The tiger slinking into the water for a drink and a cool off. His little face was a picture, bless his heart! 3. Penguins! They were really showing off lol; swimming past us back and forth. I swear they were grinning!

Spent a couple of hours at the zoo; bought a bag of crisps for £1 (still smarting from that one!). Found out the nearest tube was Camden Town, so started the long walk back from where I came. Back to the hotel for a snack, then off in the opposite direction to the British Museum.

Now this I had been looking forward to for ages! Some of the artefacts gave me a strange feeling to be honest; particularly the african ones. I felt I shouldn't be taking photos or 'something would get me' hahahaha. (I did though) I think I've been reading way too many horror stories! Nevertheless, they really do have some weird kind of aura about them. The Chinese and Indian sections were no less compelling; not in a 'woooooooo' kind of way, but more 'aahhhhhh wow' if you catch my drift. I've always been interested in Chinese history; I love Chinese vases, ornaments, buddha's, jade figurines - you name it. Fascinating. The Egyptian section was really cool too. Cannot believe how OLD some of the artefacts are for pete's sake - 6000BC! I'm speechless. After a few hours here, I felt extremely educated in matters of history, geography and a number of other subjects! Yay me. Give us a mortar!

Bought food yet again (the stalls near Kings Cross station are fantastic!) mostly bread and cheese lol. Seem to be living mostly on bread and cheese (I did buy some tomatoes, apples and bananas though) Back to hotel after an amazing day.

Thursday 23rd: last day but determined to make it count! No rush to get home, so checked out of the hotel at 9am, but was able to leave my bag till I caught the train later in the day. First stop, Underground Map lol. Had a browse, and thought I would go to Trafalgar Square. So this was the sardine tube trip hahahaha. I had already been warned not to go on the tube before 9.30am by my son, but did I listen? Me: ok I won't. Also Me: I'm going anyway. Actually I just wanted to see what it was like at rush hour LOL. Busy. Packed. But suprisingly not smelly (considering the number of peeps).

Trafalgar Square was beautiful! I knew Nelson's Column was tall, but nothing prepares you for seeing it for the first time! Had a job fitting it into a photo lol - I think you need to be half a mile away! Fountains were gorgeous too. Sat a while, but conscious that I wanted to see more of London before the day was up. Back to the Underground Map.

So the lady in the hotel had said it was Polling day, so where better than the Borough of Westminster? She told me to wave if I got in front of the cameras LOL. I saw the cameras, but used my avoidance tactics! Walked up to Downing Street instead - caught a glimpse of the London Eye through the trees across the road, so at least I saw it! Huge security and police presence throughout Westminster area - don't think I've ever seen so many! Downing Street was a bit boring - steel bars and no admittance. But at least I saw it lol.

Took a walk around, and came upon Birdcage Walk. Noticed a lot of people around and also some mounted uniformed chaps, so stood by the railings to see what was going on. OMG the amazing Horse Guards Parade!! What a wonderful sight to behold; marching band and marching guards; a true British experience. Made me proud to be a Brit to be honest, and I've never really been THAT patriotic. Seeing and hearing the parade just gives you this wonderful feeling!! It was so cool. Loved it! Yay the Brits!

Time starting to move on now, so back to my Tube Map lol. Decided on Tower Bridge for my last stop before home. So this tube trip was where I met my second strangeling! Very tall, long grey hair, long grey beard, massive black bible on his knee; spouting Corinthians at whoever would listen. AND he sat next to me hahahaha. These biblical types do seem to like me! Or maybe they are trying to save me.....who knows!

So arrived at Tower Hill station, and a short walk brought me my first glimpse of Tower Bridge. Wow it was compelling! I was pretty gobsmacked at the sight of it; I think I took about a million photos lol. To be honest, when I was in my teens and twenties, I didn't really look around much when visiting London. There was always a reason for going - usually either our band gigging, or watching other bands. I guess that's why these landmarks seem amazing to me now. I have turned into a real tourist!

So back to Kings Cross - and a last visit to the bread and cheese stalls hahaha. Needed some sustenance on the way back! And so back into St Pancras with it's beautiful ceiling; love this station! Up the escalator and onto the train. Goodbye London - I think I packed quite a bit into my few days! Loved every moment.