London

Hi everyone

They've had the coldest summer for umpteen years, so while there isn't much sun, it is a very pleasant temperature for being a tourist in one of the best cities in the world. We've all been here a few times and there is never a shortage of things to do - it just gets better and better.

We went to Camden Markets on Monday, which is absolutely huge and straddles the canal. So much stuff to be bought - people are so clever with what they make. And lots of food stalls though Tamara's lunch paid her back a little later when she had an allergic reaction to the MSG. Fortunately she was only mildy affected. Anyway, from Camden Markets we headed back to Kings Cross station and a short walk to the wonderful British library which just smells like history and books and books and books; a very pleasant, heady sensation!

However, it was a bank holiday, which meant all the reading rooms were closed, but the Treasures room and the Science Fiction exhibition were both open so we had plenty of time to soak all that up.

That inspired Karl and Tamara to visit the Forbidden Planet sci fi fanatics bookshop, so while they went there Max and I wandered around the music street including the world's biggest sAx shop. And then, more bliss oh bliss, there was Foyles bookstore squatting on the corner, inviting me in. So in I went! Floors and floors of books and books - drool, breathe, browse, buy! In that order!

Hampton Court Palace was on yesterday's agenda - Henry the VII and all that, so it was wonderful to walk the same halls and breathe in more of that history. Some great artwork and lots of information to take in, plus a wander around the gardens and a scramble in the maze was in order.

To end the day, I can't believe we took a special trip to see a crossing - albeit The Crossing on Abbey Road which featured on the cover of the Beatles album Abbey Road. Still, it is amazing what tourists will go and see. I posted up the photo on FB if you are interested.

Anyway, cheers for now. Off to another day, this time the theme is On the Buses with Max and Karl, which should be...well...a slightly different perspective on London.

TanMaxKarTam

We made it!

Hello everyone

Yes we made it, and not too bad a journey over here, considering the flights to Hong Kong and then on to London were both full. Red wine is a great sleeping draught so managed to snatch a few hours and arrived here in the afternoon so were able to check in straight away.

Had a bit of drama before we left - apart from the previous terrible week which I won't go into, but I had downloaded a new app onto the ipad and was testing it out, by looking up reviews of the apartment we had booked. Well, out of 150 odd reviews, most of them were terrible, from mildew and general uncleanliness to a guy who videoed bed bugs!! Anyway, we figured we were too old to go through all that so got back on the net and found alternative accommodation. And we have two fabulous one bedroom apartments, with a separate kitchen/lounge area and connecting doors. All for 103 pounds a night! So that was a bargain.

We are in South Kensington, a great little area, just down from the tube station - Picadilly Line - and not far from some great little pubs and shops, should we decide to do our own cooking.

Topped the day off with a traditional roast at the local pub and a couple of ales. Got a good nights sleep and now off to Camden Markets and the British Library.

Karl has already turned British - you can probably hear him whingeing from here - Tamara has a cold :-( Apart from that, things are going well.

Hope all is well with you.
TanMaxKarTam

Our last trip to Europe together

Max and Karl

European Vacation

Max and I are heading off with Tamara and Karl to England, Austria and Germany, and possibly a side trip to Prague. Woo hoo sounds great fun and we'll be representing Australia at Oktoberfest in September. Yes September. It goes for more than just a weekend in Deutschland, starting in September.

And on the way we will be meeting up with Janine and John - aah family holidays!

For any of you who might be interested in what we are up to on our planetary excursions, please check back here from time to time. Might be easier if you just join up to receive updates.

Talk soon!

The Travelling Kiermaiers/Habres/Sutherns