Off to Dover and Back

 Day three and four off to Dover:

Our day started not very early, but we made our way to a bakery across the way named Paul. Here we had coffee and pastries for breakfast. Very good coffee I must say.

Back to the room to  gather items for a trip to Dover. We took the Piccadilly Line to St. Pancras Station. There we boarded the 1204 train to Dover.

We arrived in Dover a little after 1 o’clock and dropped by our hotel, the Travel Lodge to check in. They are very strange and strict about check in time so we split up. Lynn took off for Poundland, and I went to Blakes.

At Blakes we watched the rugby games and just enjoy the evening with folks we know there, it was a good time.

I must mention that Blakes has excellent fish and chips and that is what we enjoyed for evening meal.

After the rugby game, we enjoyed another pint and then headed back to our hotel, calling it a day, but first some stuff for me at Poundland  where we got some cakes for dessert.

We woke the next morning and prepared ourselves for a days travel. First, it was off to a little café named Chapmans for breakfast. Lynn had toast and eggs and I had a bacon sandwich. Both were good and the coffee was just fine. Then it was off to the train station to wait for a train to London.

We had the fast rail service, our trip was just a little over an hour into Saint Pancras. Here we jumped on the Piccadilly Line, taking it to Gloucester Road, then, at our hotel we dropped off our bags and prepared to go out for the day.

As it is the Lunar New Year, and we knew the celebration was going to be in Trafalgar Square we decided to head there in hopes of finding street food for lunch. Sadly, we did not find any street food. The crowds were very heavy, and I mean very, very, very, very, very heavy more so than Beijing on the national holiday in China..

From Trafalgar Square we walked to Chinatown, which was even more packed and at times we weren’t sure if we were going to make it out alive.

From Chinatown we made our way to Piccadilly circus where we got on the underground and went to Paddington station in search of the man inside the clock. With the help from a station attendant, we found the clock, quite interesting and worth the trip over to find it.

Lynn was desiring to go back to the Tower Hill area for an evening meal. I suggested we try the Temple Station and walk up to Fleet Street where we could go to either the George or the Old Bank of England.

We ended up at the Old Bank of England, having a pie sampler plate. There was leak and  onion, chicken, and a steak and ale pies, all we’re good. Lynn reminds me that the leak and onion had cheese, actually it was maybe one of my favorites.

We then walked back to the Temple Station and took the District Line back to our hotel. 

We have no set plans for tomorrow our last day in London, but will probably start the morning at the Rivercafe for another great breakfast.

In St Pancras station

Dover Castle is really there

Cabbie shelter

People every where 

I presume

How did he get in there

London Day 2 a fry up, Ships And Rugby

  London Day Two:

We sort of slept in this morning for a bit. Then we made our way to the district line to the Putney Bridge station. Across the street from the entrance, one finds the Rivercafe, best described as a greasy spoon with a very good fry up. What’s nice about the Rivercafe is you can order what you want. There are set plates but you can customize your order.

Lynn had eggs, bacon and toast. I had bacon, beans on toast, hashbrowns and tomatoes. All was excellent. I would highly recommend this out-of-the-way café for a great breakfast experience. 

I must add that the staff is very friendly and welcoming. We will be returning probably even before this trip is over.

From Putney bridge we made our way to Tower Hill, where we transferred onto the DLR and made our way to Greenwich.

In Greenwich, one finds the Maritime Museum. We have visited it many times, but always enjoy returning.  I find the Polar exhibit very interesting as well as the section on Lord Nelson. 

We were able to experience a lecture on the  spice trade brought about much exploration of sea trade routes. 

I am always in awe of Turner’s Battle of Trafalgar painting.

We then went to the Temple tube station where our London Walks tour on rugby started. This is a special tour designed to enhance one’s experience on the sport and game of rugby, it’s history, as well as it’s in a relationships into the UK’s culture, specifically highlights of London.

This was a most enjoyable experience and we ended at the Rugby Tavern for a pint. My head is still spinning from this most enjoyable walking tour. There was just so much information that I cannot even begin to recap it here.

Back to our hotel via the underground and calling it a night as it is late for us right now.

The Rivercafe 

I thought the wooden stairs at Pitney Bridge station were interesting

Shackleton

Nelson’s coat, note the musket ball hole in the left shoulder

A cabbie shelter, typically they are open just mornings

Web Ellis , the founder of rugby, was a vicker here

Here Mick Jager learned his business skills 

It was in this pub rugby separated from soccer as a sporting game

Here is a corner of 8 acres donated to the Rugby School starts. The land is still owned by the Rugby school and earns rent to this day from this property 

Off to London

 Wednesday, 7 February and we are off to London.  We had spent the night in Denver and we’re up early. I first conducted a waffle seminar and then we showered and cleaned up and we’re way early and decided to just go to the airport.  

Denver has a new security checkpoint on the northwest side very nice very efficient but we had to renew or clear data so that took a little bit longer but not much. We were through security in about 15 minutes with all the rigmarole of the update.

Then, straight to the new United Club room on the A concourse. This club is very much in line with other club rooms at international airports with good food and drink offerings.

After a good bit, we made our way to the gate and boarded our plane. Our flight was rather uneventful, and we sort of slept, but not really.

We arrived in London with dense fog and rain and Mater way to the underground station where we attempted to top up our oyster cards. My AMEX card is having chip issues, but Lynn has the second card on this account so we are good.

Taking the Piccadilly line to Gloucester Road, we then have a very short walk to our Ibis styles hotel. We’d like the Ibis hotels, simple, clean efficient and our room is ready.

We got settled into a room and struck out for the Tower Hill area. First stop, was All Hallows By The Tower. The oldest  church in London.   

Shackleton’s last and final trip to Antarctica was a board The Quest. Here at this church, you can find the crows nest from his ship named The Quest. On a previous trip to London. I had tried to locate and see this relic, but at the time it hit was sent on Londe to celebrate Shackleton‘s birthday.

Across the street from the church, one finds the hung drawn and quartered pub. Here we had an early dinner or late lunch. We split the steak and ale pie, which was beyond excellent.

Next, we did a walkabout around the tower, then taking the underground back to our hotel and picking up some food in case we got hungry later, but the big success was finding the mini Cadberry orange 

We are tired and sleepy and ready to call it a day.

Sunrise

Sunrise

Rain and fog

Room view

Our station

The Tower