Day Thirty Two - Lisbon

Maria woke us up with tea in bed at around 6am, we had some cereal before finishing packing and doing a double check of our things. We also decided to leave the rucksacks in favours of wheely suitcases we borrowed! The rucksacks we decided are a pain in the arse to carry as well as looking ridiculous. Dad and Maria dropped us at Heathrow Terminal 3 around 7.45am for our flight, we checked in online so we only had to drop bags and wait.

We got a coffee and a newspaper to pass away some time. I also bought a book for the trip (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), hopefully to read on the beach or something. The BA flight to Lisbon was pretty good, only 2.5hours and ran pretty much to schedule. We arrived to good weather and we took a short cab ride to the hotel, only 6 euro ($10)!

After sorting ourselves out and dropping off bags we grabbed a map from reception and worked out we needed to get the metro into town. The system worked really well and we both got a return ticket for around 4 euro. We spent a few hours getting familiar with Lisbon mixed in with some shopping! The city is a little strange, very spread out with no real centre to speak of.

Typical street in Lisbon - real problem with graffiti here

You can't love it or hate it but just enjoy it for what it is. Our hotel is a little out of the city but not in a bad location, it's only a few mintues walk to the metro and just a little more to the main train station that we can use to get to Sintra and also down to the Algarve in a few days time. It's also by the big Bull fighting stadium in Lisbon (Campo Pequeno) but don't worry, apparently in Portuguese bull fighting they don't actually kill the bull unlike the Spanish.

Not walking up that hill

Our shopping trip was pretty successful - it's been a running joke so far about the lack of shorts available during summertime in Europe. Honestly, there is NOTHING unless you want denim shorts. But I managed to find a single pair in my size in some random shop that were also on sale. Some might say it was fate, but I bought them. Jo got a really nice skirt too that I think she'll wear all the time as it is hot here.

Dinner - Yum

We found a little spot in tourist central for dinner, we had grilled salmon with vegetables. Very nice too, it was basic but fresh and tasted very home cooked. Fish is the main thing on the menu in Portugal so it would be a shame not to try it and we weren't disappointed, even for a tourist restaurant.

Day Thirty One - Hampton Court

Our last full day in the UK, we decided to take a trip to Hampton Court Palace. Poor little Harvey had to be left at home but we packed up a picnic and all set off in search of some history and culture.

Dad and I outside the Palace

The Palace is huge and beautiful, so well preserved and taking the audio tour and exploring the Tudor kitchens and parts of the palace you really get a better sense of what life may have been like in the time of Henry VIII in the 16th Century. Entire rooms designed for the roasting of meat, a full real blazing fire with massive spits in front of them and lots of pies where on show. The pie case, apparently was used purely as a cheap container for cooking meat. Made out of flour and water it was thrown away after the meaty contents had been scooped out. Such a waste!

Hampton Court Palace - Base Court

It is obviously a very popular destination for London schools and lots of kids in uniforms were being trailed by bedraggled teachers desperately “shhhh-ing” as they went. Still, it was fun to see the kids so engaged with the experience, particularly the many Tudor characters in full costume that roamed the Palace.

The amazing gardens

Dad and I popped back to the car to get the picnic whilst Jo and Maria found the perfect spot in the amazing gardens. We enjoyed some sandwiches, salt & pepper kettle chips and cheese with crackers in another indulgent meal. We could see the gardens being set up for the Hampton Court Flower Show that starts next week, hopefully the good weather will continue until then.

We walked around the gardens for a while before tackling the famous Maze. We were quite impressed as we found the centre first time in around 5 minutes! The average is apparently 20 minutes! Finding out way out was a bit harder though. We took a few wrong turns and ended back at the middle again! I looked at Jo as I wondered what time our flight is tomorrow but thankfully Jo and Maria lead us to safety – in and out in about 15 minutes!

Proof! The centre of the Maze in record time

I’d called Steven in the morning to ask if he’d like to come over for dinner, so he arrived punctually at about 6.30pm. Looking as tall as ever he arrived with CD and DVD in hand. The CD of Nickel Creek I’m looking forward to listening to however the DVD (of our holiday to Canada 11 years ago) I’m not so looking forward to! I can just imagine me captured on film in my 21-year-old-slighly-fat-glory. I might have to proof view it before it sees the light of day with anyone else.

Steve & Me

Jo and Maria banished everyone from the kitchen to whip up a great baked teriyaki salmon on sesame noodles with snap peas. Yum! Clear plates all round and success for the two chefs. Varuni arrived, just in time for dessert I may add, so we all sat around the dining table chatting. It was so great to catch up with Steven after so long and it was like we saw each other yesterday as we joked and giggled as usual. It was great to finally meet Varuni too after all this time – we’ll try to plan a dinner or something with them both when we’re back in August.

We hit the sack at about 11.30pm after a long but brilliant day – up at 6am

Day Thirty - London

Today was our designated shopping day in London. We had breakfast around 9am – we’ve been enjoying this yummy Nestle cereal with almonds everyday – before being dropped to the Tube around 10am to avoid the commuter rush and post 9.30 cheaper tickets.

We used the pre-paid Oyster Cards we got for our birthday to hop on the tube at Ickenham, a train arrived just as we got to the platform so the Metropolitan line took us all the way to Baker St in around 35 minutes.

We walked to Oxford Street and started to have a look around, no shopping was to occur before we went on a hunt for a good coffee. We couldn’t find the few on our recommended list but we did find Fernandes & Wells near Carnaby St and we weren’t disappointed. Arguably the best coffee of the trip so far.

The Liberty Building - Love it

Now, let me tell you something. New York has nothing on London for the average shopper. New York is great if you’re super rich and your budget extends to Armani, Prada, Louis Vuitton etc but London just has so much more choice for regular people. We went up and down Oxford Street, down Regent St, into Soho and then into Covent Garden in the sunny afternoon to watch the street performers and enjoy the atmosphere. Shopping-wise we didn’t do brilliantly. As our budget is limited we’ve become incredibly fussy so only a pair of Miss 60 Jeans, a Miss 60 top and some swimmers made it through the tough criteria today. Still, very happy with all the purchases. We shopped hard, from around 11am until 6.30pm with only a short stop for a Pret Duck & Hoi-Sin wrap for lunch (very yummy).

Shopping!!

We stumbled across a coffee recommendation place at around 6pm (Monmouth St near Covent Garden) so we had to have another – also really really good. All the pastries looked amazing too but we had to hold back as I think we have had dessert every day in the UK!

The tube took us home and Maria made a delicious dinner – Chicken breast stuffed with goats cheese and tapenade with a spinach salad. We could really get used to be this spoilt all the time!

Day Twenty Nine - Nirvana

We were completely spoilt today (more than usual) as Maria had arranged for us all to go to a Day Spa. Maria is a member at the Nirvana Day Spa near Wokingham, not far from Reading. After about an hour’s drive we arrived at the sprawling posh facility and picked up our towels and white fluffy robes from reception.

After getting changed into swimmers and the robe, we explored the Spa starting with a coffee in the Garden Café that overlooks one of the many pools. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Day Spa. I’ve had massages etc and then had a spa bath afterwards but the idea of spending an entire 8hr “workday” at the place? What would you do all day? Well we soon found out.

After a coffee we headed for the Hydrotherapy Spa pool – massive and filled with many jets at different strengths and heights we relaxed for a while. Both Jo and Maria tried the freezing plunge pool, whilst I stayed in the warm! After that we enjoyed the steam room for a while, sat by another pool and read the paper. Then it was time for lunch – a full salad bar for us all to pick, as we liked.

Maria had booked us in for a “Celestial Floatation Pool” experience after lunch. What is that I hear you ask – well, not the claustrophobic tank thingy that might have popped into your head – it’s a huge circular pool filled with tonnes of salt from the Dead Sea – about 30% salt! You even have an induction to get used to it! As we slowly entered, I could feel a sting as I foolishly shaved my legs that morning (not advised) and you duck down so your shoulders are under the water and then tip back and float. Then it was time to enter the real pool, one by one (the pool takes a maximum of 6 people) we floated in for 40 mins of peaceful, tranquil floating looking up a the twinkling ceiling. Magic. You drift around as there is a slight current the water, very occasionally brushing past someone else but it’s incredibly relaxing and the water is just amazing as it supports you effortlessly.

After that, we had another few dips in the pool, followed by a cup of tea and a few short lengths to finish the day around 5pm. Thank you again Maria!

We were home in an hour, not bad for rush hour on the M25 to have a relaxing evening at home. More relaxing in the garden was followed by watching Wimbledon and the amusing Mary Queen of Shops on BBC2. Fantastic day.

Germany 4 - 1 England

Pah.

F*&^! England *&^+ !"$£ "%^&"$$ and Rooney is £"$%! England always looked outclassed and couldn't pass for (&£$^.

The passing was *&^% and the Ref was even more *&(*%^%$. Unbelivable that Lampard's goal wasn't given and the *&^%*^% linesman must be &^*%$$ blind. Germany always looked dangerous and our back four couldn't organise a *&^* up in a brewery.

Three Lions my *&%$, every four years this happens.

Let us never discuss this again.

Other than that, we were all up for a hot breakfast in the morning and to take little spoilt pooch Harvey for his Sunday walk and swim.

Wet dog

We drove to a spot nearby and parked and watched Harvey as he found his favourite swimming spot, he was so cute fetching a stick from the water and even cuter when he needed his ears wringing out as they were soaking!

Awwww - Harvey having his ears dried after a swim

After his swim we wandered around as it was such a beautiful day and I took some shots of the area by the canal and the locks.

Beautiful English summer day

Day Twenty Seven - Dad & Maria

Maria picked us up around midday and we ended up taking the scenic route back as we were all chatting so much we missed our turn off the A1! We ended up going back via Radlett and missed the M25 but it wasn't that much longer and probably cut out some motorway traffic. Maria brought Harvey (the spaniel) along and he was a good boy in the car.

The day we really relaxed as we unpacked a bit and just enjoyed the warm sunny afternoon. Dad was home from work around 2.30 which was lovely so we could spend the afternoon together.

Dad made a magnificent paella for dinner - filled with chicken, prawns, calamari and mussels. Perfectly cooked, Jo and I dived in to get the crusty rice from the bottom of the pan - yum! After we thought we couldn't eat anymore (it was served with yummy olive bread too) Dad brings out a huge cup filled with home-made Chocolate mousse! He made it last night and it was done with Orange Liquer, Pistachios and a hint of Chilli. Well, it was a battle to finish it be we both did! Felt slightly ill afterwards from eating so much but it was all so good we couldn't leave any!

Day Twenty Six - Royston

We were a bit hung over today from the night before - I was supposed to go shopping with my Mum and visit my Nan but I was still in bed!

Jo and I surfaced around 10.30 and did nothing for the most of the day. Around 2.30 we got off our lazy bums and walked the half an hour to my Nan's to pop in and say hello. After about an hour, we walked into Royston for the first time and bought some lunch from Morrisons and a couple of bottles of wine for Justin & Kim tonight and for Mum & Barry as a thank you for looking after us so much.

The evening was spent with Justin & Kim. We arrived about 5.30 so we could have some time with Noah before his bath and bedtime. It was lovely to spend some time with them all and Noah was so cute playing with his toys. He had a little cry after his bath and when put to bed but all in all he was good - after he went to bed Justin popped out and got some Chinese takeaway.

Jo and I had been craving Chicken Chow Mein (English-Chinese style) and Cripsy Shredded Beef so they were definitely on the list! Justin and Kim picked Chicken with Cashew Nut and a Prawn dish - yum. The Prawn Crackers were awesome too! We had a lovely evening around the dinner table chatting and enjoying the food. Jo and I were off alcohol tonight so Justin had a few Ciders and Kim a few wines - we had water.

Home by 10.30 and in bed soon after - looking forward to visiting Dad & Maria tomorrow.