As we write, we are on the train from King’s Cross to York. We are off to visit our friend and Graham’s cousin, James. Surprisingly, the train is full and there are many business people aboard. The train has other stops along the way and the final destination is Newcastle, maybe people will get off along the way. To catch the 9:30 train we had to brave peak time tubes, not fun if you have a big backpack! Still easier and better than the clack-clack of a suitcase with wheels! Londoners are so aggressive on the trains and really couldn’t care what you are carrying, it is mind boggling.
As our time with Shell and Graham draws to an end, we are feeling rather sad. This is the longest time that Shell and Bron have ‘lived’ together in some years and it has been so awesome. We go to York today, get back to London at lunch time on Monday and then fly to Amsterdam on Tuesday. Another early start and rush hour tubes to look forward to, oh yay. So we have no more time for sight-seeing in London but think we have done well. We missed out on a few things on our to-see list but this isn’t the last time we will be in London. Things to catch next time include Tate Britain, Camden Town and Tower of London.
Our sight-seeing this week has been hampered by Bron having a stomach bug on Sunday night and not being able to go out on Monday. Other news is we have booked a ski trip to Austria! SO excited!! We are doing the Contiki ski tour for a week in Hopfgarten from 19 Feb. Can’t wait! So on Tuesday we headed out and managed to get all the clothes we need for skiing (ski jacket and pants, thermals, gloves, hats and goggles) at one shop for a real steal at the sales. Definitely would not have been able to buy what we did in SA for the price we paid here, were super lucky!
On Wednesday afternoon we watched The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in London. What an amazing show!! We really enjoyed it. Bron admits to being a little tearful at the African-ness of the show, the reminder of home and what we have left behind. The costumes and stage work were simply amazing. If you get a chance to see this show in SA, go see it!! It really is worth it.
We have also managed to catch up with friends from SA this week. On Sunday Justin met up with a group of UCT friends in Wimbledon (Lisa, Rob, Jon, Jean, Lindel and Julie) and on Tuesday with a friend from school (Richard). Ken joined us for dinner on Monday night and we had coffee with Justin’s cousin Nicola and her Mom Barbara last night. So another busy week seeing people but it was good as it was our last opportunity for this time round.
We are still waiting for Bron’s birth certificate to arrive despite the post office at home assuring us it would take only 48 hours. It has now been 7 days and we are hoping it makes it here by Monday! So much for speed service couriers… next time we will totally use a different provider. Will keep you posted next week on the apartment in Rotterdam front.
Till next time!
x
PS: A pic of Bron in her new orange ski jacket to follow soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment