London - Day 1

Despite the light rain and threatening skies, we decided to "do" London. Well, as best we could in a day. Minicab to Staines station, to watch the beautiful people going the other way to Ascot, excellent express train to london Waterloo. Big Bus to St Paul's Cathedral, then through the City to the Tower of London; a superb commentary / performance by a Beefeater teaching us all a little bit of history; out past the Traitor's Gate to catch a cruise back up the Thames to Westminster. Stand in awe on the Victoria Embankment looking at the Houses of Parliament and listening to Big Ben strike 4pm. A black cab back to London Waterloo to catch the return train to Staines with a minute to spare.

Sulgrave to Staines

Changing our itinerary plans somewhat, to fit into the medical needs of D, we caught a National Bus from Banbury to Heathrow Central (40 minutes late). Glad we didn't have to catch a flight. W's sister (Jackie) and husband (Eric) met us and we caught a local bus back to within a couple of km from their splendid house right on the Thames. We walked there by the tow path.




D thought that picking up a prescription from the local pharmacy would be a cinch, BUT this was the NHS. It eventuated that he had to go to the Accident and Emergency section of St Peter's Hospital (20 mins away) to be essentially admitted for no less than 4 hours, before they eventually agreed to the script. Long story. Don't ask me to tell you about it, otherwise I will !

Jackie and Eric provide lovely hospitality.