Thursday 9th April

We woke at our usual time, around 6.30am, and did all the usual morning preparation. Checkout wasn’t until midday, but we had decided to checkout early, and leave the luggage at the hotel, and then pick it up around 2.00pm so that we didn’t need to carry it with us. We had our complimentary breakfast, which was as nice as that on the ship. Handed back our keycards, and set off to explore again.
We headed back to the Kensington Gardens, but this time walked in a different direction until we could see the Albert Memorial and Albert Memorial Hall. Quite spectacular and of course we took lots of photos. The park was quite busy with the dog owners taking their pets for walks, and we had a chat with a man who had two lovely old white Scottish Terriers – we miss our dogs so had to have a pat and a chat.
After looking at and photographing the Albert Memorial, we continued along Exhibition Street past the Royal Geographical Society, with more photos of a fairly ordinary looking building.
After that we passed the Science Museum and then reached the Victoria and Albert Museum. We went in to have a brief look around through the section with some marvellous marble statues, and then used the facilities before continuing on.
We then walked along Knightsbridge Road until we reached the famous Harrods. Of course we had to go in to check it out. What an amazing place – lots of photos were taken inside – and we managed not to spend any money in there. Actually, when we saw the prices on even the simplest things, we realized we probably couldn’t afford it, and in most cases didn’t really want it.
By now it was nearly 12md, and I was getting hungry, and Deb pretty tired, so we decided to walk back through Hyde Park, find somewhere for lunch and pick up our gear to transfer to the YHA. As we were about to cross the road in front of the Park, what should be coming along the road – a contingent of the Queens’ Horsemen – the ones that have the big brass helmet, and chest plate – can’t remember their names. Anyway, out with the camera, and much photo taking and videoing to capture this fantastic event for us. We saw that there was another group practicing in Hyde Park just ahead, so raced off to watch and photograph them.
After they also returned to their stables area. We were so excited – we couldn’t believe our luck at being in the right place at the right time. There had only been a few people watching this event, because the locals take no notice, and there weren’t that many tourists around.
We wanted to post some postcards home, so walked back to where we knew where there was a post office, picked up some sandwiches and fruit at a Tesco shop for lunch, and returned to the hotel where we ate our lunch in the bar, before leaving.
I had asked the porter to get me a quote for a private hire car, and he said that the one he had contacted wanted ₤65.00 to take us and luggage across to Thameside. Deb and I said that was far too expensive, and thought we would see if a London Taxi would be able to fit us and our luggage in for the trip. Fortunately for us we had a lovely man who said he could manage all the luggage – it was surprising to see what they can fit into one of the cabs. They don’t have a boot – but the front area where the driver is can hold luggage, and the area where the passengers sit is quite spacious, so could fit another suitcase and bags.
So off we headed, the driver was very nice, and was pointing out various landmarks as we drove passed – while we were driving I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t seen the bag with the laptop computer in it go into the taxi. We quickly checked – it was missing, I was nearly having a heart attack when we realised this. We had travelled too far to turn back, so had to keep going until we reached the YHA.
When we got there, and checked in, we took all our gear to our room, and then went back down to talk to the chap on reception who very kindly telephoned the hotel for us – not without difficulty I might add – the hotel doesn’t have a telephone number printed on any of its documentation, and we had difficulty finding the hotel through Google.
When we did get through, the woman I spoke to didn’t understand me, but eventually I managed to find out that the computer was still in their luggage room. So I told her that we would be back within the hour to pick it up.
So – Deb and I found out how to get back to Bayswater this time using public transport – the taxi had cost us ₤42.00, and we didn’t want to spend that much again returning in peak hour, as by this time it was nearly 4.00pm.
So we took a bus to Canada Water underground station, then the tube via the Jubilee line to Bond Street, then changed trains to the Central line to go to Queensway then walked to the hotel.
We were amazed at how fast we were able to travel. People on the tube actually stood up and gave Deb and me their seats – something you rarely see in Sydney. When we got to the hotel we were handed over the computer, not before we could find some proof that it was ours. Then we headed back to the YHA using the tube and bus to return. This time it was peak hour, but we still received seats, for which we were very grateful.
Back at the YHA, we were finally able to relax, so unpacked, and take stock of our facilities. We were in a 4 bed room, which had bunk beds for 2 people and 2 “bunk” style beds. We also had our own bathroom, with a shower for a disabled person.
By now we were too tired to do anything except go down to the reception area, pay for our dinner, and ate in the cafeteria. cauliflower soup, bangers, mash and vegs, salad, chocolate cake and drinks.
The YHA has a large group of young people from Germany staying, so they were pretty exuberant during the evening, but that didn’t stop us from sleeping like logs. We had taken the mattresses from the other two bunks and put them on top of ours to make the beds a bit softer. Also the pillows, which have to be the flattest pillows I have ever seen – still, the room was heated, and we had plenty of space so we are comfortable, for a lot less money than the hotel cost.
Tomorrow is Good Friday – they don’t make much of a fuss about Easter here – there are Easter eggs and chocolates available, but not anything like we see in Australia. British being PC we thought.