Day 25 - A meal fit for a Queen
Another full day was had in old London town commencing with a visit to the Queen and culminating in a meal fit for a Queen. Let me elaborate: we started this morning by going to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards followed by a visit to the Tower Bridge and Tower of London before the kids headed to the Hard Rock cafe with Nikla and Stephen whilst Jacqui and I dined in pure luxury at Gordon Ramseys at Claridges.
We were up and going by 9.30am this morning and headed directly to Buckingham Palace to observe the changing of the guard which was due to take place at 11.30am. By the time we arrived around 10.3am, all the viewing areas directly in front of Buckingham Palace were taken so we ventured across the road and found a suitable location in front of one of the many monuments that surround the palace.
As we were on the pavement we were in a good position however all the late comers decided that the cobblestones directly in front of us would be a great place to stand. Unfortunately for them the "Bobbies" did not agree and had to continuously ask them to move on. I am not sure whether it was arrogance or ignorance however they all refused to move. Well that was until a mounted policewoman came along and strategically moved her horse between us and the people on the cobblestones. They were then forced to cross the road or head around the back. Well all except for one who thought the horse was there to be friendly so started to pat it on the nose. Bloody tourists......
After all the "slower thinking tourists" had been moved on the changing f the guards commenced. It was a great experience to be outside Buckingham Palace and watching an activity that has taken place for 100's of years. Basically the ceremony involved the marching in of 2 marching bands and the Queens guards as well as the Horse guards. As part of the ceremony there were 2 marching bands who then played tunes whilst the ceremony was taking place. To our amazement 2 of the songs were: Theme to Rocky and All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie. After the entertainment finished the Queens guards and the Horse guards that were in attendance then marched back out of Buckingham Palace and the ceremony was complete.
We then took a chance to reflect on all that had taken place, take some more photo's and then strolled through St James Park back to Webminster Avenue before heading to the underground to catch a train to the Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
On the way to Tower Bridge we strolled over London Bridge and then walked along the Thames arriving around 30 minutes later at the Tower of London. We did not stroll through as we were limited on time however reading some of the signs, parts of the Tower dated back to at least 1280 AD. To stand in front of a building that is dated more than 500 years older than the occupancy of Australia was quite surreal and hard to take in. I strolled up onto the Tower Bridge to take a better view whilst Talia, Zac and Jacqui enjoyed a relaxing ice cream beside the Thames.
After being a tourist again for the day, it was time to come home and get ready for a special evening. Jacqui was unaware that we were going to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, all she knew was to buy a dress and look beautiful which is easy for her.
We arrived by Black Cab at Claridges and made our way into the restaurant. From the time that we arrived to the time we left we felt like royalty. We were constantly being served on by varying food and drink waiters and thoroughly enjoyed a 7 course meal. We had some canapes to start before Jacqui had a Salmon and beetroot salad entree and I indulged in seared scallops and watermelon. Form main we shared a medium-rare beef wellington on pure potato and seasonal vegetables and for dessert we shared an apple tarte tartin. As you would expect the food was exceptional and there was nothing left on our plates after we had finished. To top the evening off, we were invited into the kitchen to meet the sioux chef (and no it was not Gordon Ramsey however the chef certainly knew how to swear so was taught well...) and even had a chance to walk into the kitchen and have some photo's taken. This was a magnificent experience and one that will not be forgotten for a long, long time.
Whilst we were enjoying our fantastic meal the kids, Nikla and Dawesy had a great evening at the Hard Rock Cafe and came home with souvenir glasses for their growing stash of memorabilia. Tomorrow we jump in a car and make our way to York and Northumberland before spending the weekend in Newcastle and the chance to reclaim the ashes for Australia. As I am not sure what internet access will be available, the next update may be Monday night 23 August (UK time).
We were up and going by 9.30am this morning and headed directly to Buckingham Palace to observe the changing of the guard which was due to take place at 11.30am. By the time we arrived around 10.3am, all the viewing areas directly in front of Buckingham Palace were taken so we ventured across the road and found a suitable location in front of one of the many monuments that surround the palace.
As we were on the pavement we were in a good position however all the late comers decided that the cobblestones directly in front of us would be a great place to stand. Unfortunately for them the "Bobbies" did not agree and had to continuously ask them to move on. I am not sure whether it was arrogance or ignorance however they all refused to move. Well that was until a mounted policewoman came along and strategically moved her horse between us and the people on the cobblestones. They were then forced to cross the road or head around the back. Well all except for one who thought the horse was there to be friendly so started to pat it on the nose. Bloody tourists......
After all the "slower thinking tourists" had been moved on the changing f the guards commenced. It was a great experience to be outside Buckingham Palace and watching an activity that has taken place for 100's of years. Basically the ceremony involved the marching in of 2 marching bands and the Queens guards as well as the Horse guards. As part of the ceremony there were 2 marching bands who then played tunes whilst the ceremony was taking place. To our amazement 2 of the songs were: Theme to Rocky and All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie. After the entertainment finished the Queens guards and the Horse guards that were in attendance then marched back out of Buckingham Palace and the ceremony was complete.
We then took a chance to reflect on all that had taken place, take some more photo's and then strolled through St James Park back to Webminster Avenue before heading to the underground to catch a train to the Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
On the way to Tower Bridge we strolled over London Bridge and then walked along the Thames arriving around 30 minutes later at the Tower of London. We did not stroll through as we were limited on time however reading some of the signs, parts of the Tower dated back to at least 1280 AD. To stand in front of a building that is dated more than 500 years older than the occupancy of Australia was quite surreal and hard to take in. I strolled up onto the Tower Bridge to take a better view whilst Talia, Zac and Jacqui enjoyed a relaxing ice cream beside the Thames.
After being a tourist again for the day, it was time to come home and get ready for a special evening. Jacqui was unaware that we were going to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, all she knew was to buy a dress and look beautiful which is easy for her.
We arrived by Black Cab at Claridges and made our way into the restaurant. From the time that we arrived to the time we left we felt like royalty. We were constantly being served on by varying food and drink waiters and thoroughly enjoyed a 7 course meal. We had some canapes to start before Jacqui had a Salmon and beetroot salad entree and I indulged in seared scallops and watermelon. Form main we shared a medium-rare beef wellington on pure potato and seasonal vegetables and for dessert we shared an apple tarte tartin. As you would expect the food was exceptional and there was nothing left on our plates after we had finished. To top the evening off, we were invited into the kitchen to meet the sioux chef (and no it was not Gordon Ramsey however the chef certainly knew how to swear so was taught well...) and even had a chance to walk into the kitchen and have some photo's taken. This was a magnificent experience and one that will not be forgotten for a long, long time.
Whilst we were enjoying our fantastic meal the kids, Nikla and Dawesy had a great evening at the Hard Rock Cafe and came home with souvenir glasses for their growing stash of memorabilia. Tomorrow we jump in a car and make our way to York and Northumberland before spending the weekend in Newcastle and the chance to reclaim the ashes for Australia. As I am not sure what internet access will be available, the next update may be Monday night 23 August (UK time).
