Two Famous Londoners

A Quiz Dear Readers, what fun!

Question 1- I lived in London in Kensington Palace. When I died 20 years ago there was an outpouring of grief and a sea of flowers left by the public at the below gates. I am known as the peoples Princess. Who am I?

Question 2- I am a fictional character from literature who's home is set in London.  A famous quote of mine is,  “ When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” This is my statue, who am I?

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Anyway, Dear Readers, before I get into the tale of the two Londoners, I’ll let you know how we got on last night with the air B&B from hell!

This has got to be the most noisy place we have ever stayed, (our window is the one directly above the café ).

The place is clean, the bathroom is modern and the bed is comfy BUT…

What with the neighbours having a party, the doof doof music from the other side and the noise from the road, it was a  difficult night. 

It wasn't so bad for me as I had drugs before bed, (legal drugs, Dear Readers I know what you were thinking….cheeky things.).. I think I’ll drug Graham up as well tonight so he’ll sleep too…

Don't worry I’ll tell him, I’m not going to slip a sleeping tablet in his cup of tea or something. really…

Well we went out to pay a visit the young Royals but they didn’t seem to be home. They must always rush to close the blinds when they see us coming up the drive!

We went on a visit to Kensington Palace, which is the home of Wills & Kate and their family.

It was all pretty and Christmassy.

We toured the Royal apartments, not the current ones, but those of William and Mary and Queen Anne.

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement here only a few days ago.

And of course Kensington Palace was the home of Princess Diana.

And it is Diana who is the answer

to Question 1.

Goody!

An exhibition of Diana's most famous gowns !

Dear Readers, my husband is a very patient man, or maybe it was a weak moment due to sleep deprivation, I wonder what he has planned as a payback? Probably a car museum….

I wonder if she had of lived if she would have still been as special? I miss her!

Below is the picture of Diana wearing the dress and the dress itself…

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Then we had a little wander around Kensington Gardens to see the Albert memorial,

then back on the tube to the Baker street station.

And of course if you haven't yet guessed our next destination, the answer to quiz Question 2,  is 221b Baker street and the home of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

Having just recently re-read the Arthur Conan Doyle  novels, and watching both of the Robert Downey Jnr movies on the plane yesterday (was it really only yesterday?) I felt it was topical that we should visit this landmark.

By the way, I didn't like the Robert Downey Jnr versions,  Benedict Cumberbatch is a much better Holmes.

Anyway, lets hope there’s less doof doof and more Zzzzzzz tonight!

Arrival

Okay, we survived another long haul flight. This time it was 24 hours long,  thank the goddess  for premium economy I think I’m to old now to manage cattle class.

We arrived in London at about 6:20am, it was one degree and there was the possibility of snow, which had all the Londoners excited. The weather had been rather mild until yesterday.  It hasn’t snowed yet but it is rather chilly, although we seemed to have got our level of warm clothing right as it was comfortable enough wandering around.

Because we couldn't get into our room until 2pm we dropped our cases off. Got our Oyster Cards topped up and took the tube into Oxford Circus. We did some shopping, bought new beanies and sorted out a new phone number to use here. Everything is very pretty and Christmassy.

Dear Readers, check out these models made of Lego in the Lego store in Leicester square.

 

Haven't slept yet as I write this and am feeling pretty tired. We are staying in a guest room in Willesden Green on the high street.

I’m not optimistic that it will be a quiet room, as while  I've been writing this post there have been sirens screaming up the street and we feel like we are in an episode of The Bill. The romance of travel!

Tale of Big Bertha, who is Going on another Adventure

Thursday 30th November 2017

Its that time again, holiday time!

Graham and I are going to leave all the sad stuff behind and head to the U.K. and Europe.

Here is my case packed and ready to go. Big Bertha is the name of my suitcase!

 (Graham doesn’t name his suitcase or his cars but that is  a tale for another occasion).

My lovely suitcase has had so many experiences. Its been all the way across Europe, from Ireland’s west to the Ukraine. Its even floated up the Grand Canal on a barge. Its been to South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji, Melbourne and elsewhere,  she’s  done planes, boats, ferries, London cabs and trains. Eurostar once before (the occasion when we missed the train). I love my suitcase, its like an old friend…

“I’m not sure what's going on here, but I don't think I like it” Says Miss Lizzy

Okay, Dear Readers, as I did in my last trip to Europe in 2011, I will try to blog everyday if possible. However I may not publish my posts everyday, it sometimes depends on internet access. I have live writer so I save my posts as drafts and will upload a number at the same time, on the last trip we used Starbucks occasionally (free internet), but this time there may a lot more hotels with internet access. There maybe no new post for a week, then several will appear at once. So keep checking back.

I’ve also been told I must Facebook more and although I’m not very good at Facebook (because I tend to embarrass myself with stupid comments) I will make an attempt, and try to become a more trendy modern girl.

Before we go I want to share photos of the Christmas presents I made for my work colleagues and friends this year.

Everyone has a personalised bookmark and I’m sure to have insulted someone with my choice of fabric.. he he he….

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The world is once again, not a safe place to travel, but we are experienced adventurers and will do our best to avoid trouble.

Currently, drinking Chardonnay in the Qantas club at Sydney Airport. Leave at 1655.

Next stop… Dubai for a refuel, then London. Woo Hoo!

A Bit Of Crappy Sad Stuff

Well Dear Readers I have some very crappy news to share with you.

Grahams little brother, Paul, lost his battle with cancer on Sunday 26th November, aged 54. Leaving behind Mel and two little kids (and two step kids as well).

And here we are below 11months to the day (Boxing day 2016) innocent souls that we were, no inkling of the tragedy that was about to unfold.

Life can be a bastard.

And, in a few days we get on a plane to London, we will miss the funeral which I expect will be HUGE. But he told us to go and not to change our plans because of him.

Please donate to

love your sister..

http://www.loveyoursister.org/

I Spy Shadow Box Quilt

Well, Dear Readers, it never ceases to amaze me how much fabric I have collected over the years. It also amazes me that with all the projects I complete, the store of fabric I own never seems to diminish.

A bit like Albert, the Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsey. He was a cut-an-come-again pudding, I think I may have a cut and come again fabric stash!!!!

Anyway, I digress. I wish to share with you my latest finished project. This is a quilt made from scraps from my stash and Is an I Spy shadow box quilt. I made it as a raffle quilt for the car club for our recent rally.

All the raffle prizes are out on a table, so if your ticket number is called you get to choose, so all the good stuff goes first!

Fortunately it wasn't left until last and it was claimed by Rick and Cheryl!

Below is my little helper, trying not to be a trip hazard for once…

Its Me, Miss Lizzy, here my Mums Dear Readers – I protest at being referred to as a trip hazard. My Mum just doesn't look where she is going. I consider my role in the production of these quilts as vital to quality control, and doggie proof testing.

My apologies everyone, it appears that the dog is taking over the blog and it is all getting just a little silly!

Hey there Georgie Girl!

Hi my Mum’s Dear Readers!

This is Miss Lizzy here to tell you of some very sad news.

I’ve lost my lovely bestest friend, Georgie Girl.

We were visiting that kennel place, while Mum and Graham were off having fun. Hummff…

One morning Georgie forgot to wake up..

and I lost her, I am so sad.

(above - about 8 weeks)

Here are some happy photos that mum has taken over the years – she took an awful lot of photos of that Georgie Girl…

Georgie had a lot of friends before she found her perfect match … Me, Miss Lizzy!

Above is with Ruby.

Below is with Millie.

And of course that legend of doggie land!

Alfie!

They were doggie best friends too.

But, none of those other doggies luvvved you as much as me!!! look at the cuddles I gave you.

Mum says we might get another doggie, but not until next year.

Goodbye, Georgie my friend, you had a great life, especially once you had me!

I’ll look after Mum and Graham and give them extra Lizzy love.

Better go now before Mum catches me on her computer…

Until next time..

Love from Miss Lizzy

Long Weekend Away

Hi Dear Readers!

Graham and I recently spent the October long weekend away in Sydney and Gerringong.

Sydney, because we had been gifted a dinner cruise that we needed to use before the end of the year. And Gerringong as youngest son has bought his first home there.

It was also Grahams Birthday.

So we took the coastal route via the sea cliff bridge. (above).

We stayed in a lovely B&B in Gerringong, caught up with Andrew and Hailey, and did some touristy things such as visit Kiama and the blow hole (not blowing – below).

And visited Berry and the Markets which was great.

Then back to Sydney for our tall ship dinner cruise which was given to us by Sean, Rosie and Edith.

Beautiful evening and a beautiful sunset.

…… and very sadly Dear Readers the sun also set on the life on one of our little doggies. Georgie Girl went to sleep at the kennels on Thursday night, and never woke up. I’ll blog about her life soon.