London Day 2

 Being Saturday we new that the only place to be was the Portobello Markets. Getting there early was a very good decision as by 12pm the place was throbbing with so many people out enjoying the first sunny day for quite a while.

 
It was a time to catch up with family who live in London and the boys loved catching up with their cousins. We then walked to Kensington Gardens and visited the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. It was packed and as we left there was a security guard and queue waiting to get in. That's what happens when the sun comes out!
After navigating the tube with the kids, we arrived at Parliament House Westminster. This was very busy and every person seemed to be a tourist. Being a Saturday there were no suits in site. We were lucky to have tickets to a guided tour of the House of Lords and Commons and were not disappointed. Funny to hear all the traditions that come with the British Government and the presence of the Queen one day a year on the opening of Parliament. No photos allowed  

  

Final stop of the day was Leicester Sq for a look around and early dinner. It was a bit too much for our weary bodies so we quickly went home to recharge for another big day tomorrow........

First Stop London Day 1

Well after 26 hours of travelling we arrived in London yesterday at 530am. It was a good trip but long and everyone was looking forward to some fresh air. 5 minutes before we got on our bus to Victoria, Dan received ad phone call saying we had someone else's bag. Far out that was close. Chris's bag the brightest and most unusual was an exact duplicate of another Aussie. Nothing external to tell the difference. Quickly Dan dashed back and did the swap. Lesson learnt. A bus trip to Victoria Station, secured bags and off we went to collect tube, bus passes and SIM for phone. We were doing well, so grabbed some food and walked to Buckingham Palace. Being early we nearly had the place to ourselves.

First spot Buckingham Palace, which was nice and quiet at 8am!

St James Park Squirrels. Kids loved this. A great park for locals and tourists alike

The Churchill War Rooms, where huge and beautifully put together. Brits really know what their doing!

A stop at this Lloyds Bank on The Strand just showed the history we were surrounded by. Exquisite tiling and detailing.

Markets for All Food lovers. Full on a Friday afternoon with workers and tourists alike. 

Now it's time to make it to our little house in Sth Kensington as we have hit the wall on our first day.

Days to go.....

Well it is only days now till our departure but I have hit my first snag. Dan says it doesn't matter, but I think otherwise. Phone call at 11pm last night from our Amex provider, letting us know someone in the UK has accessed my CC and spent £1.60 on the card. I assume to test it's viability! Luckily they were straight on to it and now we have cancelled my card. 

Only problem is I won't get another until we have gone. Thank goodness they picked up on it so quickly. Pays to have CC insurance and luckily Dan has a card and we have options. Could have been a nightmare if it happened next week.

Summer Wardrobe suggestions.........

Hot Swimsuit

Smart Casual  Wardrobe

Cool and comfy Trousers.  

Fab pair of sandals to show off the Summer legs!

Loose stylish singlets great for layering

Cool walking shoes

Looking good in a hat

Before leaving home...

Not long before our 5 1/2 week trip, so I thought it was time to work out what we need to take.

Jo's Clothes
I laid out on the bed all that I thought I would need, coordinated it. Decided what must go and returned half of it to the drawer. Now I have room for shopping and my suitcase is nice and light.
Husband and Kids Clothes
Not much, as long as it washes and dries quickly
Essentials
Passports and tickets, Camera, Laptop, iPad, Phone, chargers, lots of money, EFTPOS or CC, Hard copies of all our tickets, bookings.
Spare passport size photos for train, bus passes.
1st aid kit, pen and notebook/journal, USB, extra SD card for camera

Now to our Itinerary

Our Itinerary
This trip has been twelve months in the making, and I know it will be amazing, but one can't help but think, "Could I have done more?" The answer is , hopefully we have our whole life of travels to get it right.

London U.K: 7 days staying in an apartment in South Kensington close to both Gloucester Rd and Sth Kensington Tube Stations.

 http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/englandb/E4784.htm
Eurostar to Paris: 5 days in Saint Germaine Du Pre, Rue du Savoie, 6th arr in a 16th C apartment, high on the 4th floor, once home to Picasso's lover
http://www.waytostay.com/paris-apartments/savoie-stmichel-0455/
Fly to Venice, Italy: 3 nights at Hotel Violino d'Oro in a canal view suite, kids out the back in a triple http:www.hotelviolinodoro.com
Collect Hire car in Venice
Castellina in Chianti: 5 nights at Hotel Il Colombaio, a small rustic converted farmhouse at the edge of the beautiful village of Castellina
http:www.albergoilcolombaio.it
Rome: 3 Nights at the boutique hotel I Tre Moschettieri right in the centre of Rome in two rooms
http:www.hotelitremoschettieri.com
Fly to Athens and travel north to the Port of Agios Konstantinos
Sporades Islands Greece: Board the MV Anatolie, a 70ft wooden yacht for a 7 day cruise around Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos
http:www.voiliergrece.com
Return for day trip to Athens City Centre then fly to Munich
Munich: 4 nights at the Arthotel Munich which is close to main train station. Basic but modern hotel 
http:www.arthotel.com

Fly home via Helsinki (thanks Qantas, now flying with partner airline Finnair to Singapore) and then Singapore to Adelaide SA
                                                                                                 

From left, Matthew 7, Chris 14 and Jackson 12

The boys are getting restless and Jackson tells me.
"Mum I can't survive this" and I say "what are you
talking about?" He says "the wait, I just am so excited!"
At least Christopher is way too busy to be worried
about waiting 11 more days. He is on camp and won't be back until two days before our departure.