United Kingdom

ARUNDLE CASTLE

I AM HEADING TO ENGLAND TO SEE MY MUM IN PORTSMOUTH.

I HAD BEEN TO ARUNDEL CASTLE WITH HER & DAD A FEW YEARS PRIOR & AS IT IS ON MY WAY, I WILL HAVE ANOTHER LOOK..

ONLY FROM THE OUTSIDE.

OF COURSE, I CHECKED IT WAS OPEN BEFORE I LEFT - RIGHT?

STILL - IT WAS A NICE VISIT.

ARUNDEL STATION..

STAYED IN THIS PLEASANT HOTEL NEAR THE CASTLE ...

AND THE CASTLE WAS RIGHT NEXT DOOR ...

A BUS RIDE TO THE MEONS. A PLEASANT LITTLE VILLAGE IN HAMPSHIRE

I THINK IT IS A BIT TOO EARLY FOR THE PUB ...

WATCHING THE TRAFFIC IN PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR...

FROM A PUB ACROSS THE WAY

WITH THE SPINAKER IN THE BACKGOUND

AND FOOD IN THE FOREGROUND

THIS IS FAMOUS. FIRST IRON SHIP IN THE ROYAL NAVY .. HMS GREAT BRITAIN .. . or maybe not

IN THE SOLENT, ON THE WAY TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT, IF IT'S NOT TOO DEAR, A MARTELLO TOWER. KEEPING WATCH FOR NAPOLEON..

A HOVERCRAFT AT RYDE - IOW

ON TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT & FROM THE TOP DECK OF THE BUS, LOOKING DOWN ON SOME TINY, TIDY FRONT GARDENS

AND PAST A ROW OF HOUSES NEAR LAKE WHERE WE STAYED IN ABOUT 1960.

SHANKLIN

GODSHILL

BACK TO SOUTHSEA & OUTSIDE THE D DAY MUSEUM

THE CASTLE AT SOUTHSEA - CLOSED

A PUB IN HAVANT PUB

I HAD A SANDWICH IN HERE. ROAST BEEF WITH MARMALADE. SOUNDS VERY ODD BUT IT WAS GOOD.

CLOSEST DECENT PUB TO MY MUM AND DAD. ALTHOUGH MY DAD DIED THIS JANUARY PAST.

CHAMPAGNE! - IN A PUB! - THAT'S PROBABLY WHY MY DAD DID NOT LIKE THE PLACE

HOW DOES ANYONE GET OUT OF TOWN..

AND A GLIMPSE OF ARUNDEL CASTLE ON THE TRAIN TO LONDON

LEAVING THE SOUTH COAST & HEADING HOME VIA LONDON

IT WILL BE A BUS RIDE TO OXFORD CIRCUS, THEN A ZIG ZAG ROUTE TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE. ANOTHER BUS TO THE TOWER AND A VISIT INSIDE THE TOWER.

NEXT DAY I AM OFF TO HAMPTON COURT PALACE. MAYBE HAVE A CHAT WITH THE QUEEN!

COMING INTO TOWN

OVER THE THAMES WITH A NICE VIEW OF A BRIDGE - THE ALBERT PERHAPS.

AND BATTERSEA POWER STATION - AS SEEN ON A PINK FLOYD ALBUM COVER.

AND ARRIVAL AT VICTORIA.

A BUS RIDE DOWN OXFORD STREET, PASSING A TOWN CRIER. YOU SEE LOTS OF THESE ALL OVER ENGLAND!!

TO OXFORD CIRCUS WHERE I GET OFF & WALK ROUND THE CORNER TO CARNABY STREET.

I SPENT MANY HOURS AROUND HERE. WINDOW SHOPPING MAINLY OR BLOWING HALF A WEEKS WAGES ON A PAIR OF SHOES.

A LOT OF OLD TAT IN THOSE DAYS TOO.

SAW THE ROLLING STONES ROLLING OUT OF A TAXI HERE. BRIAN WAS STILL WITH THEM.

ZIG ZAG ROUND THE BACK STREETS, PASS MARSHAL STREET BATHS & ALONG THE MARKET TOWARDS WARDOR STREET, PASSING THIS GIRL WHO MUST BE WAITING FOR A BUS..

AND INTO SOHO TO SEE WHAT'S ON SPECIAL.

AH - LIVER MY FAVOURITE..

PASS ON THE GRAVY..

THROUGH CHINA TOWN & DUCK

INTO THE ALLEY BEHIND LEICESTER SQUARE UNDERGROUND PASSING SHEEKY'S FISH RESTAURANT.
ONE OF THESE DAYS I WILL GO IN.

ONCE SAW STEPTOE COME OUT OF THERE LOOKING VERY DAPPER. DID NOT HAVE HIS SON WITH HIM.

WHAT A LAUGH THEY WERE. AMERICANS MADE IT INTO SANDFORD & SON.

WHICH LEADS ME INTO ST, MARTINS LANE.

OVER THE ROAD IS A PLACE I WORKED, IN THE ATTIC. IT WAS SAID THAT KARL MARX LIVED HERE, TRUE? WHO KNOWS.

WE CAME HERE WHEN OUR OFFICE AT THE OTHER END OF THE STREET WENT UP IN FLAMES.

OLD REGIE & TONY FROM SCHOOL WORKED HERE, TNG WAS IT?

A VIEW DOWN ST. MARTINS LANE TOWARDS ST. MARTINS IN THE FIELDS & TRAFALGAR SQUARE.

OUR OLD HEAD OFFICE ON THE LEFT & MY FIRST OFFICE ON THE RIGHT. IT'S GONE NOW.

THE ADVERTISING COMPANY HAD A FEW INCARNATIONS. LONDON PRESS EXCHANGE. LPE LTD. LEO BURNETT.

HAD LOTS OF COMPANIES ALL AROUND TOWN & I USED TO GO AROUND DELIVERING THE WAGES.

YES - CASH - IN PACKETS.

I WORKED IN THE WAGES DEPT, AS A CASHIER & FINALY A COMPUTER OPERATOR IN 110.

THE COMPUTER ROOM HAD A LARGE WINDOW ONTO THE STREET. CHARLIE DRAKE CAME PAST ONE DAY & MY MATE BANGED ON THE WINDOW AT HIM.

AT NIGHT, ON OVERTIME, WE WOULD PUT A LONG JOB ON & GO ACROSS THE ROAD TO THE PUB ... ONE OF US WOULD COME BACK EVERY TWENTY MINUTES TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER PAPER.
WE STOPPED WHEN WE REALISED WE WERE SPENDING MONEY FASTER IN THE PUB THAN WE WERE EARNING IT.

MET RENEE HOUSTON IN THAT PUB A FEW TIMES. THE SCOTTISH ACTRESS WHO PLAYED IN AT LEAST ONE CARRY ON FILM. SHE MAY HAVE BEEN IN ONE OF THE MANY THEATERS AROUND THE AREA.
I HAD SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR AT THE TIME & SHE WOULD TELL ME THAT IF SHE WERE TO PAINT A PICTURE OF JESUS, I WOULD BE THE MODEL.
SHE WAS A COMEDIENNE AFTER ALL.
NICE LADY.

AND THAT WAS THE PLACE THAT WENT UP IN SMOKE. ABOVE THE POST OFFICE IN ST.MARTINS PLACE.

ALL THE WALLS IN THE CORRIDORS HAD GONE. FURNITURE BURNT. TELEPHONES MELTED ONTO DESKS.

THIS IS JUST ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY. A FRIEND AND I WERE IN THERE LOOKING AT THE DA VINCI CARTOON OF A MOTHER & CHILD. WE WERE STANDING NEXT TO SOME TOURISTS MY FRIEND SAID IN A STAGE WHISPER - "I DON'T GET IT". THE DIDN'T & NEITHER DO YOU PROBABLY, BUT IT MADE US LAUGH.

AND ON INTO TRAFALGAR SQUARE.

CANADA HOUSE OVER THERE.

BEHIND US IS SOUTH AFRICA HOUSE. YEARS AGO, THEY PARKED A BLACK POLICEMAN ON THE DOORSTEP.!

ROUND THE CORNER TO THE STRAND WHERE I GOT ON ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING BUSSES LIKE THIS .. A ROUTEMASTER.

IT IS OPEN AT THE BACK & YOU CAN JUMP ON WHILE IT IS MOVING.

A GUY JUMPED ON, FOLLOWED BY HIS GIRL WHO I HEARD SAY 'HOW COOL IS THAT'.
SHE'S NOT WRONG ABOUT THAT.

ON WE GO DOWN STRAND, ROUND THE ALDWYCH, ON TO FLEET STREET & PASS THE GEORGE

THROUGH TEMPLE BAR & INTO THE CITY & ST PAULS

QUEEN ANN - THE ONLY QUEEN THAT I KNOW OF WHO WAS GAY.

A GAY QUEEN - FANCY THAT.

THE MONUMENT - LAY IT DOWN & IT SHOULD REACH PUDDING LANE, WHERE THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON STARTED.

!666 WAS IT? THE YEAR AFTER THE BLACK DEATH?

THE GOOD OLD DAYS ANYWAY.

GETTING OFF THE BUS NEAR THE TOWER.

SEE THE OPENING AT THE BACK?

AND INTO THE TOWER OF LONDON

WHERE I SEE ONE OF THE ONLY, IF NOT THE ONLY, FEMALE BEEFEATER.

NEAR TO TRAITORS GATE

& MORE BEEF

TOWER BRIDGE FROM INSIDE THE TOWER

WALTER RALEIGH'S WRITTING

HE WAS A PRISONER IN THE TOWER. PROBABLY FOR SMUGGLING CIGARETTES.

SOME GHOSTS ON A WALL

AND THAT IS WHERE TOU CAN CAST YOUR VOTE AS TO WHO KILLED THE TWO YOUNG PRINCES.

MY VOTE WAS RICHARD

PEOPLE DO ACTUALLY LIVE INSIDE THE TOWER.

ANNE BOLEYN WAS BEHEADED HERE ..

SOME VERY OLD GRAFFITI BY PRISONERS WAITING TO DIE

OUSIDE THE TOWER AND ANOTHER VIEW OF THE BRIDGE

BEFORE MOVING ON TO ST. KATHERINES DOCKS & THE DICKENS INN

CARRY ON WALKING DOWN THE RIVERSIDE TO THE PROSPECT OF WHITBY.

SPENT A FEW DRUNKEN NIGHTS IN HERE, THROWING BEER MUGS OFF THE TERRACE INTO THE THAMES..

NOT SURE WHAT STATION THIS IS

BUT THIS IS IN THE TUBE.

TO GET TO WORK I TOOK A REGULAR TRAIN TO LIVERPOOL STREET & TWO UNDERGROUND TRAINS TO LEICESTER SQUARE.

LOOKING AT THE TUBE NOW & I WONDER HOW DID I GET ON THOSE CROWDED TRAINS.

HEADED BACK TO MY HOTEL VIA ST PAUL'S, COMPLETE WITH MOON

AND PICADILLY

IN TIME TO FIND GAIL IN JAIL. OH MY , WHAT HAS SHE DONE NOW.

NEXT DAY I WAS OFF EARLY TO HAMPTON COURT PALACE, GOT MY TICKET & A PIECE OF PAPER, STUFFED THEM BOTH IN MY PACK & WENT IN,,

A NICE LITTLE BEDWARMER...

THERE WERE THESE PEOPLE WELCOMING GUESTS

IS THAT THE TIME?

THE GREAT HALL

HENRY THE EIGHTH

I MET A LADY WHO WAS STANDING IN A CORRIDOR.

I SAID TO HER THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR LADIES IN HER DAY TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, WHAT WITH ALL THOSE CRINOLINES LADIES WORE.

VERY POLITELY, SHE TOLD ME THAT 'PEOPLE OF HER STATION HAVE PEOPLE TO HELP US WITH SUCH MATTERS'

PEOPLE OF YOUR STATION! WHO MIGHT YOU BE?

I AM CATHERINE PARR - I MARRY THE KING TODAY.

WOW - I AM TALKING TO THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND - ON HER WEDDING DAY.

I SAID 'YOU ARE MARRYING THE KING! BEST BE CAREFUL OF YOUR HEAD, MY LADY'

OH NO SIR - YOU ARE MISTAKEN. THOSE LADIES WHO WERE EXECUTED, THEY WERE TRAITORS TO HIS MAJESTY.

THIS IS HENRY'S LAST WIFE. SHE OUTLIVED HIM

WE CARRIED ON IN THIS VEIN, AS YOU DO. I WISHED HER WELL & TOOK MY LEAVE.

I NEVER DID GET HER OUT OF CHARACTER.

ON THE TRAIN, I LOOKED AT THE PIECE OF PAPER ATTACHED TO MY TICKET & IT WAS AN INVITATION TO THE WEDDING.

THAT'S WHAT ALL THE FUSS WAS ABOUT & I HADN'T KNOWN. I COULD HAVE ATTENDED ALL THE WEDDING FUNCTIONS ALL DAY LONG, EXCEPT THE ACTUAL WEDDING.

TOO BAD I HAD NOT REALISED IT.

HERE SHE IS, ANOTHER NICE LITTLE BED WARMER...

AND FINALLY, THE END OF THE CRUISE & DISEMBARK IN DOVER...

WAS IT A GOOD VOYAGE - OH YES.

THE TRIP STARTED WITH THE SAFARI IN TANZANIA WHICH WAS FABULOUS.

A QUICK FLIT TO ZANZIBAR.

ON TO THE THE CAPE TO BOARD THE OCEAN PRINCESS, TO BE WINED & DINED & ESCORTED ASHORE UP THE LENGTH OF WEST AFRICA.

CALLING AT THE THREE MOST MEMORABLE COUNTRIES - ER, ER...

A COUPLE OF STOPS IN EUROPE & NOW DOVER

A LAST GOODBYE TO THE LOUNGE ON BOARD..

AND ON TO THE TRAIN ...

TO LONDON ... PADDINGTON

WHERE THERE ARE PUBS..

GARDENS...& GRAVEYARDS..

MORE PUBS..... & SAM WHICH SHOPS

& YET MORE PUBS...

AND SO TO BED, BUT STILL NOT HOME YET.

THAT IS STILL A WAYS AWAY YET.

FIRST - A COUPLE OF DAYS ROUND LONDON, BACK DOWN TO DOVER, CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL, LEEDS CASTLE & THEN SOME TRAIN RIDES TO THE NORTHERNMOST SPOT ON MAINLAND SCOTLAND.

NOT JOHN O'GROATS BUT CLOSE..

IT'S ENGLAND - SO RAIN IS TO BE EXPECTED...

WHEN I ARRIVED, ENGLAND HAD JUST INTRODUCED A HOSE PIPE BAN TO AVOID WATER SHORTAGES.

BIG TIME MOCKERS.

IT STARTED RAINING WHEN I GOT TO LONDON & I DON'T THINK IT HAS STOPPED YET - AND I AM WRITING THIS IN MAY 2014.

I GET PICKED UP FOR MY COACH TOUR TO DOVER, LEEDS CASTLE & CANTERBURY AND GET A LITTLE BONUS OF A RIDE AROUND LONDON PICKING OTHER PASSENGERS UP BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO THE TOUR COACH.

BIG BEN

CHARING CROSS, MAYBE,

WESTMINSTER ABBEY... NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH.....

WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL.

SCOTLAND YARD, BUT NOT THE NEW SCOTLAND YARD

A GLIMPSE OF THE MONUMENT TO THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON.

AND WE ARE OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE...

ARRIVING AT LEEDS CASTLE, WHICH IS NOWHERE NEAR LEEDS..

THE AMERICAN LADY OF THE WHITNEY FAMILY WHO RESTORED THE CASTLE

LEEDS CASTLE IS BILLED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CASTLE IN ENGLAND - MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.

AMAZING OR NOT, IT DOES HAVE THIS MAZE

AND A STRANGE LITTLE TUNNEL THROUGH A CAVE....

I MISSED THE TOURNAMENT..

AN OAST HOUSE...

WE MADE AN UNSCHEDULED STOP JUST OUTSIDE DOVER TO SEE THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL.

AND INTO DOVER FOR A LOOK AT THE CLIFFS & A MEAL WHERE THIS MAN WAS PLAYING...

THE BLACK PRINCE'S SHIRT & .....

THE BLACK PRINCE...

AWAY TO GREENWICH NOW & THE MERIDIEN...

A STREET PARTY FOR THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE & THE THAMES, LOOKING A LITTLE DOWN.

MY BOAT FOR THE RIDE UPRIVER....

SPENT MANY HOURS IN THAT PUB, THE PROSPECT OF WHITBY,,

DUCKING UNDER TOWER BRIDGE...

NICE SHOTS OF A DOUBLE RAINBOW. ITS A SHAME MY CAMERA HAD DEVELOPED THAT SMUDGE. I CAN'T KEEP IT OUT WITH ZOOMING ALL THE TIME..

CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE - ANOTHER OBELISK TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION. NEW YORK, THE VATICAN, PARIS, LUXOR

OFF THE RIVER BOAT AT EMBANKMENT & UP-HILL TO ST. MARTIN'S LANE - SPENT MANY HOURS WORKING ON THIS STREET..

AND THROUGH CHINA TOWN...

... TO SOHO AND A GAY STREET PARTY. LOTS OF PEOPLE. LOTS OF MUSIC & NOISE.

CARNABY STREET'S AROUND HERE - SAW THE ROLLING STONES GET OUT OF A CAB THERE, BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, BIRTH OF ROCK & ROLL DAYS...

PAST LIBERTIES & OVER REGENTS STREET.

NICE TO SEE THE LONDON GIRLS STILL LOOKING GREAT..

A MEWS & A BLUE PLAQUE FOR MORSE - NO NOT THE TV MORSE, THE INVENTOR OF MORSE CODE...

NEXT DAY NOW AND WALK TO KINGS CROSS FOR THE TUBE TO HAMPSTEAD .....

....FOR A WALK ACROSS THE HEATH.

NEVER DID THAT BEFORE.

THIS IS A BUS SHELTER WITH A VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT ON THE ROOF. JUST FOR THE PEOPLE TO SEE FROM THE TOP DECK OF A BUS..

AND WHERE AM I NOW? - HAVEN'T A CLUE...

SO -

CUE GERRY RAFFERTY -

MAKING MY WAY DOWN TO BAKER STREET...

PAST LORDS CRICKET GROUND AND DROP DOWN TO REGENTS CANAL - NEVER BEEN ALONG HERE EITHER..

AND WHO KNEW THERE WERE SUCH LOVELY DUCKS IN LONDON?

MANDARIN MAYBE .... VERY PRETTY

LORD SNOWDON'S AVIARY AS WE PASS THROUGH LONDON ZOO...

BUY A 99 FLAKE ICE CREAM FROM THE ICE CREAM VAN.. REMEMBER WHEN THEY CAME DOWN THE STREET....?

NICE SPOT TO CATCH UP ON THE NEWS...

OH - THERE'S PRINCE PHILIP!

WHAT'S HE DOING DOWN HERE?

LIZ MUST BE SOMEWHERE NEAR... THERE SHE IS.

HAPPY JUBILEE YOUR MAJESTY. ENJOYING YOUR DAY?

FANCY A PINT? A DELERIUM TREMENS PERHAPS?

CAMDEN LOCKS

LOTS OF FOOD AROUND HERE..

THIS GIRL WAS NICE ENOUGH TO BLOW BUBBLES FOR ME...

A VERY BRITISH BULLDOG

AMY - R.I.P

PICKING THE LOCKS - LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF WORK..

LIVERPOOL STREET STATION, LOOKING LIKE A DIFFERENT PLACE FROM THE ONE I WENT THROUGH TWICE A DAY FOR YEARS.

WILL & KATE OUT FOR THE DAY TOO.

JUST SAW YOU GRAN-FOLKS. HURRY YOUR PINTS & YOU MIGHT CATCH THEM

LOVELY COUPLE..

THIS IS THE CITTIE OF YORK PUB ON HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON - WHICH IS VERY WIERD SINCE YORK CITY IS MY DESTINATION TOMORROW.

ANYWAY - TIME TO GET OUT OF THIS RAIN AND GET SET FOR MY TRAIN RIDE UP COUNTRY.

HEADING TO KINGS CROSS AGAIN FOR THE TRAIN TO YORK...

HERE WE ARE INSIDE THE WALLS OF YORK... IS THAT A PUB THROUGH THE ARCH?

FAR TOO EARLY TO GET INTO THE HOTEL & THEY WOULD NOT LET ME PARK MY BAG SO WHAT TO DO?

HEAD TO THE PUB, THAT'S WHAT.

TIME ENOUGH FOR A STROLL AROUND YORK BEFORE HEADING OVER THE NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS TO WHITBY FOR FISH & CHIPS.

YORK IS A BIT OF A SHAMBLES & THEY ARE QUITE PROUD OF IT....

WHY ON EARTH WOULD THEY CHANGE THE NAME. PERFECT AS IT WAS...

LOTS OF FRENCH SCHOOL KIDS, THIS ONE LOOKING SUITABLY IMPRESSED. BEARS AN UNCANNY RESEMBLANCE TO KYLEY PLATT IN CORONATION STREET.

GUY FAWKES - WHO KNEW HE WAS FROM AROUND HERE? HUNG, DRAW - AND QUARTERED. THEY NEVER DID THINGS BY HALVES IN THOSE DAYS DID THEY?

EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, THE SHAMBLES IS LESS CROWDED.

I TAKE THE TOP DECK OF THE BUS, PASS LOTS OF RHODODENDROM BUSHES. GONE WILD & A BIT OF A PEST APPARENTLY, BUT PRETTY ALL THE SAME.

I THINK THIS IS FYLINGDALE, A BIT OF A SPOOKS PLACE. EARLY WARNING OR SOME SUCH. A BIT HUSH HUSH.

ADDENSFIELD - HEARTBEAT COUNTRY FOR THOSE FAMILIAR WITH THE TV PROGRAM.. I THINK HERRIOT MIGHT BE FROM AROUND HERE TOO.

AS ARRANGED, VALERIE HAD GOT ON THE BUS AS I PASSED THROUGH HER VILLAGE & ARE NOW IN WHITBY WHERE WE ARE GOING FOR THEIR FAMOUS FISH & CHIPS..

THAT IS VALERIE'S FINGER, POINTING OUT THE BLACK DOG ON THE BEACH. AS MENTIONED IN BRAM STOKERS DRACULA, OR NOT.

DONKEYS ON THE BEACH ...

TWO SHOTS TO SHOW VALERIE THE ZOOM ON MY CAMERA... THE ONE ABOVE IS NO ZOOM & THE ONE BELOW LOTS OF ZOOM

CAPTAIN COOK... WE WENT INTO A MUSEUM DEVOTED TO HIM...

VALERIE CHECKING THE HARBOUR...

VALERIE ONCE HAD A SHOP RIGHT HERE...

UP TO THE ABBEY NOW....

YOU MIGHT JUSY BE ABLE TO MAKE OUT THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THIS BUILDING WHERE THEY ARE SMOKING HERRING INTO KIPPERS..

A SHORT BREAK FOR A HALF OF THEAKSTON'S OLD PECULIAR - NOT BAD..

THIS SHOP HAD A MACHINE BLOWING BUBBLES...

AND HERE'S ROCK - DOES ANY COUNTRY OTHER THAN ENGLAND MAKE ROCK?

BACK ACROSS THE MOORS, THROUGH ADDENESFIELD AGAIN BUT WITH THE OLD ANGLIA COPS CAR THIS TIME...

NICE LAWN MOWERS...

DROP VALERIE OFF - BYE - SEE YOU IN TWO YEARS TIME...

A NIGHT IN YORK BEFORE TAKING THE TRAIN NORTH...

SO - WITH A GOODBYE TO THE PRESIDENT OF ICELAND - IT'S TIME TO SAY HELLO TO LONDON & HOPEFULLY VISIT PLACES I HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

USUALLY WHEN VISITING THE UK I TAKE AN EXPENSIVE CUPBOARD IN THE WEST END NEAR PADDINGTON, CONVENIENT FOR THE HEATHROW EXPRESS.

THIS TIME I HAVE DECIDED TO SPLURGE & STAY AT THE TOWER HOTEL WITH A VIEW OF TOWER BRIDGE. THIS IS FROM MY WINDOW...

NEXT DAY I MEET UP WITH VALERIE WHO HAS JOURNEYED DOWN FROM YORK TO WANDER AROUND WITH ME. SHE IS ALSO A LONDONER WHO HOPES WE SEE BITS OF LONDON WE HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

AFTER BREAKFAST, IT'S OUT OF THE HOTEL, UNDER TOWER BRIDGE & A WALK ALONGSIDE THE TOWER. I ASKED A COLLEAGUE ONE OF THESE SOLDIERS WHAT REGIMENT THEY WERE IN.
"NOT A REGIMENT! WE ARE MARINES."

WE CARRY ON AROUND THE TOWER & UP ONTO THE BRIDGE

MY GRAN ONCE TOLD ME SHE WALKED OVER THE CATWALK ACROSS THE TOP OF TOWER BRIDGE THE DAY IT OPENED. I DID NOT BELIEVE HER AT THE TIME BUT IT IS POSSIBLE.

NOW IT'S MY TURN.

THERE IS A PHOTO DISPLAY THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TOWER BRIDGE. HERE'SA FAMOUS FACE FROM MY YOUTH WHOSE NAME ESCAPES ME. SHE WAS ALL OVER THE PAPERS IN THE 60'S. NOT AS A MODEL THOUGH. CHRISTINE KEELER PERHAPS?

WE DESCEND A LEG OF THE BRIDGE & INTO THE WORKINGS THE RAISE & LOWER THE BRIDGE. VERY IMPRESSIVE.

VALERIE TELLS ME THIS IS A VICTORIAN POST BOX. IDENTIFIABLE BY THE 'VR' ON IT AND IT'S HEXAGONAL SHAPE

NOW ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE THAMES WHERE IT IS MUCH WARMER. NOTE THE PALM TREES.

THIS IS THE TRACK THROUGH WHAT USED TO BE BUTLERS WHARF THAT IS NOW MOSTLY RESTAURANTS AND APARTMENTS. EXPENSIVE APARTMENTS. VERY EXPENSIVE APARTMENTS.

BACK OVER THE BRIDGE NOW AND AFTER A BUS RIDE WE ARRIVE AT OUR FIRST PUB - THE PROSPECT OF WHITBY, RIGHT ON THE RIVER.
MANY HOURS I SPENT HERE IN MY YOUTH.

A FIRST TIME FOR VALERIE.

A PINT AND SOME PUB GRUB & IT'S A BUS AND DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAIL RIDE TO THE VERY UNUSUAL THAMES BARRIER PARK.

AND A VIEW OF THE BARRIER.

HANDS UP EVERYONE WHO KNEW THERE WAS A CABLE CAR OVER THE THAMES...

HERE IT IS .... TO GREENWICH

AND A FAST FERRY UP RIVER PASSING THE TOWER, TO THE MILLENIUM BRIDGE

WHICH WE WALK OVER & GET A FINE VIEW OF ST. PAULS..

BUT IT'S THIRSTY WORK, ALL THIS WALKING. TIME FOR A CIDER IN THE ART DECO, BLACKRIARS PUB...

BOTH THE CIDER & PUB ARE FIRSTS FOR US & YES - THIS IS STILL INSIDE THE PUB

MORE PEOPLE SMOKING ON THE STREET OUTSIDE THAN INSIDE.

CONTINUING UP ONTO HIGH HOLBORN, DOWN CHANCERY LANE. PASSING THIS PUB ....

... AND INTO THE LEAFY SANCTUARY OF LINCOLNS INN. NOT AN INN AS IN PUB, BUT AN INN AS IN INNS OF COURT.

SUCH A LOVELY, LEAFY NON-TOURISTY AREA IN LONDON

WE HAD A CHAT WITH THIS GUY ABOUT HIS ELECTRIC CAR. SEEMS HE FILLS IT UP FOR FREE. A BIT OF A CURIOSITY..

ONTO CAREY STREET WHICH I REMEMBER AS A SAYING FOR BEING BANKRUPT AS THIS IS WHERE THE BANKRUPTCY LAWYERS CONGREGATE.. AND INTO A NICE LITTLE PUB CALLED THE FIVE STARS.... I BUY DRINKS AND PEANUTS AT HE BAR AND A GIRL SITTING ON A BAR STOOL MAKES TO STEAL A PEANUT. I OFFER HER SOME & SHE TAKES TWO.

JUST A PHOTO IN THIS PUB WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT ONCE WAS A BANK...

VALERIE IS GETTING TIRED BY NOW. CAN'T IMAGINE WHY. SHE GOES OFF TO HER HOTEL & I HEAD EAST ALONG FLEET STREET TOWARDS MINE..

PASSING THROUGH ST. KATHERINES DOCK AREA, BEHIND MY HOTEL...

TIME TO RELAX AFTER ALL THAT, SITTING OUTSIDE THE HOTEL....

A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP TO GET READY FOR A TRAIN RIDE TO COLCHESTER TO MEET A SCHOOL MATE - PAM. WHO I LAST SAW TEN YEARS AGO AND IN 1959 OR 1960 PRIOR TO THAT

HERE WE ARE IN COLCHESTER. WE MET AT THE CASTLE BUT I HAVE NO PHOTOS THERE, NOR IN THE ART GALLERY WHERE PAM TOOK US FOR LUNCH.

HERE SHE IS SHOWING US AN OUT OF THE WAY RUIN OF AN ABBEY...

AND NOW PAM SHOWS US INTO A PUB CONVERTED FROM A THEATER - COMPLETE WITH ROYALTY LOOKING DOWN THEIR NOSES AT US FROM THE GALLERY

THIS IS A WATER TOWER.

JUST BEEN SOLD AND IS TO BECOME A RESTAURANT..

A GREAT, IF SWIFT VISIT WITH PAM & AFTER SAYING GOODBYE TO HER WE HEAD BACK TO LONDON IN TIME FOR THE CEREMONY OF THE KEYS. THE CEREMONIAL LOCKING UP OF THE TOWER OF LONDON. BEST FREE ENTERTAINMENT AROUND.

THE FOLLOWING DAY NOW AND TIME FOR ANOTHER WALK ALONG THE THAMES ....

A THAMES BARGE & A DISTANT VIEW OF THE MONUMENT TO THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON...

AND NOW WE CALL IN TO THE GEORGE BEHIND LONDON BRIDGE STATION. ONE OF THE OLDEST, IF NOT THE OLDEST, PUBS IN LONDON. ORIGINALLY A COACHING INN. WE ATE UPSTAIRS. ROAST BEEF & YORKSHIRE PUDDING FOR ME.

THE WAITRESS IS FROM WEST AFRICA BUT LIVES IN LEYTON, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I WAS BORN. SHE WAS TELLING ME SHE OWNS HER HOUSE IN LEYTON & A PLACE IN WEST AFRICA. I GUES SHE COULD LIVE LIKE A PRINCESS IF SHE SELLS UP & GOES BACK TO GUINEA.
LOVELY LADY.

THERE'S THE SHARD. HIGHEST BUILDING IN LONDON, OR EUROPE MAYBE. COSTS AN ARM & A LEG TO GO TO THE TOP.

SOUTH BANK ENTERTAINMENT....

VALERIE SPOTTED THE BRIDGE BEING RAISED TO LET A BARGE THROUGH..

.WHILE WE WHILED AWAY SOME TIME WAITING FOR OUR EVENING PERFORMANCE OF ANTONY & CLEOPATRA BY SOME UP & COMING AUTHOR AT THE GLOBE THEATER.

NOT BAD, BUT WAY TOO LONG AT 3 HOURS, AND OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW KNOW THE ENDING.

A SNEAKY PHOTO OF SOME ACTION ON STAGE. ACCIDENTALLY SNEAKY AS IT HAPPENS. IT WAS DURING THE INTERLUDE & THIS GUY WAS READING A GOATS ENTRAILS SO I TOOK A PIC ONLY TO GET TOLD OFF BY AN USHER.

A WALK BACK OVER THE WOBBLY BRIDGE & THAT'S IT FOR LONDON & GOODBYE TO VALERIE. SHE HEADS BACK UP NORTH & I GO SOUTH TO ROYAL TONBRIDGE WELLS. NO PARTICULAR REASON, BUT I LIKE THE NAME & IT'S ON MY WAY TO DOVER.

I WENT TO A PLAY OF RISING DAMP AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL. MOST ENJOYABLE. VERY MUCH AS I REMEMBER THE TV SHOW

AND HERES THE OPERA HOUSE - WHICH IS ACTUALLY A PUB OWNED BY WEATHERSPOONS, THE CHAIN THAT OWNS THE THEATER PUB I WAS IN AT COLCHESTER

A WALK AROUND TONBRIDGE - HERE'S THE AREA KNOWN AS THE PANTILES...

INSIDE A PUB....

PASSING A CAFE I SAW THIS SIGN SO I STOPPED FOR AN HOUR ON A BENCH OUTSIDE. NOWHERE TO SIT INSIDE AS THE BAND TOOK UP THE WHOLE PLACE.

THESE ARE OF MY HOTEL. THE HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO. VERY NICE WITH PRICES TO MATCH. QUEEN VICTORIA STAYED HERE, BEFORE SHE WAS QUEEN.

THESE ARE OF THE MENS BATHROOM. MODIGLIANI ON THE WALLS.

NOTE THE LITTLE BOY POKING HIS HEAD OUT...

IN THE NEARBY PARK. CARE TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY CROQUET? THIS LADY GIVES LESSONS...

IN AND AROUND A LITTLE MUSEUM. CROWDED WITH SCHOOLKIDS..

HAVE MOVED ON TO DOVER NOW AND TOOK THE TRAIN ONE STOP UP THE LINE. JUST A SHORT WALK TOOK ME TO TEMPLE EWELL. TEMPLE AS IN KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.

I AM GOING TO FOLLOW THE RIVER DOUR ( FOR WHICH DOVER IS NAMED ) FROM HERE DOWN TO THE SEA.

THE RIVER ACTUALLY RUNS THROUGH THE GARDEN OF THE FOX PUB. NICE COINCIDENCE AS I WAS IN THE PUB ANYWAY. WE HAD A TOILET LIKE THAT WHERE I LIVED IN LONDON. NOT AS FANCY MIND.

HERE'S THE RIVER...

IT'S A NICE WALK ALONG THE RIVER. SIGNPOSTED BUT I STILL ASKED THE WAY OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I MET THIS COUPLE IN MY B & B & TOOK A CAB WITH THEM UP TO DOVER CASTLE. DON & EL. I SAW THEN A LOT OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AS THEY ARE ALSO ON MY CRUISE & THAT IS THE OCEAN PRINCESS WAITING TO TAKE US ON BOARD.

THE CHAPEL IN THE CASTLE WAS HOLDING A D DAY SERVICE SO I POPPED IN. THE VICAR HAD PUT TOGETHER A SOUND MONTAGE. SPEECHES. BOMBS FALLING. PLANES ROARING. VERA LYNN SINGING.
VERY MOVING.

THIS IS MY LAST PUB. NEXT DOOR ALMOST TO MY B & B. THE WALLS & CEILING ARE COVERED WITH NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE THE CROSS CHANNEL SWIM.

THE CRUISE IS UP NEXT... TOOK TWO WEEKS TO GET HERE.