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The flat in Chelsea was nice and large. We scored the lounge sofa bed which was upgraded to a double mattress on night 2. We seemed to be the last up every night so it was a good choice.
Thursday as a group we went to Buckingham palace to see the Queens crib. We thought it was the right thing to do as we are her subjects after all.
After flagging down a cab for us I heard an exasperated moan of anguish. Some poor chap had been trying to flag a cab for half an hour and we had slipped in front and nabbled one. Tony's conscience got the better of him and, after making the poor invalid try and run 20 meters, gave the cab to the man with crutches. As this man literally crawled into the cab he muttered perhaps the driver can take 5. In 0.134 second he was surrounded by 4 kiwis and we took off.
We all had a jolly good chat and as we got out at Buck Palace he insisted the fare was on him. Nice way to start the day. Thank you again nice man, we hope you get well soon.
Buck Place, or the Queens hood as it is never referred to, was great. Nice to see our commonwealth dollars being spent on something classy. Then off to the gift shop for royal tat.
Sally took off to do a bus tour and was replaced by Evan (Miranda's beau). And we 4 went out to lunch. Miranda chatted up an Indian store keeper and Tony bonded with a souvenir stall holder who had married an Italian. We were then joined by Katherine from Cardiff but via Massey and Kawerau-ay. Shops-Home-Dinner
Friday
We all split up. T&D went to see John, Amelia, and Naseem. There was a 2 year old there as well but he was terrible at conversation so was ignored. Johns flat was a 60's time warp in Soho. AMAZING!
Tony split to see Dave Shuff, cricket buddy from Wales/Bristol and Debs went to a modern Indian restaurant. Modern Indian = YUMMY
5.30 to 8.00 the Golden Crown hosted a bit of a reunion for Tony. Cath and John from his first UK trip came to and Stu, Gary and Pam from UK2 the sequel.
Great to see you all. Debs pointed out Tony could not stop smiling especially when Stu walked in. Not long enough together, too long apart. I love you guys. Take care. Beer-Modern curry-Beer-Talking-Beer-Bus home.
Saturday
Met up with Debs travelling buddy from XX years ago as well as Dave (Husband) and Charlie and Archie (blond boys). We did London eye. Note to people who run the eye - When you stop the ride when we are at the top and hold us there for a bonus 10 minutes there is no need to apologise. We are too busy enjoying the view to listen.
Then we headed off to see Laura (Debs ex boss) and her new (12 years) man Robert. Awesome lunch and it was great to see Debra and Laura 'go off'. It was like they had never left each other, apart from the fact that instead of getting Debra to cook lunch like she used to do, they paid for it!
Robert seemed almost human for an ex stock broker so there were many laughs and what could have been an awkward reunion turned into a 3 hour lunch party. Thanks L&R we are still buzzing and hope we can keep the buzz going.
They dropped us off at the Wallace collection - AMAZING - then off to Soho with Debra, David and 2 blonds for beer, Chinese and coffee. (not in the same bowl)
More sad goodbyes followed.
London was for us all about the friends and family we made during our stays in the capital. Not the strange aunt that smells like fish or the bullying older brother but family you want to see and miss when you are away. So lacking sleep, slightly very hungover and slightly emotional we closed another chapter on the trip. Bring on Barcelona.
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