Kiwi Roaming

We’ve been back in the UK a couple of weeks now and I am writing up the free activities / cheap eats we have discovered in blog posts but thought I’d recap on what’s been happening generally.

Last night we ventured across the road to the Space Theatre – the one Sir Ian McKellen frequents but he is in NZ at the moment – and watched England lose to Argentina in the Football semifinals. With about 100 locals down in the main theatre plus more upstairs in the bar the atmosphere was fun, until it wasn’t. Interestingly it is very quiet outside today too.

We had a week in Milton Keynes when we returned from Italy, lots of time with a 6 month old showing off his new tricks and great we can babysit. Also trying to keep cool in this heatwave. Above are photos from our walks into the enormous public park next to Paul and Karen’s house, including some of the very very old buildings.

Back to London to visit Steve’s aunty who is 92 and lives in her own home in Kensington – a wonderful basement flat with a lovely garden. Lots of photos and stories shared, a bottle of champagne and family history made for a great afternoon. We caught the tube to and from Earls Court then walked up to her place, now that’s a suburb which has gentrified in the last 35 years, beautifully renovated buildings and great high street shops. She lives just along from the Museums so we’ll go back and catch a couple of Museums and visit her again before we leave.

Below a couple of sculptures dotted in the Milton Keynes park. Bottom is Steve’s aunt’s lovey garden.

Since then we have walked from Wapping to London Bridge, visited the Crypt Museum and a few old Thames side pubs along the walk as well. Then the next day walked from Lime House up Regents canal to Victoria Park Market for a picnic before visiting one of Mike’s recommended pubs The Camel for a pint.

On Monday 13th we met Steve’s cousin to walk from Kingston upon Thames to Richmond, then up Richmond Hill to look at the view, our first 10km walking day in a wee while which was good. Another great catchup with whānau and lovely views along the way, plus a few pints. I will write up about these in the free things series.

Above top two are gentrified Earls Court but the station is the same. Bottom ones are pics from our walk to Tower Bridge.

Generally it’s just been hot, stinking hot. The Thames provides us with a breeze in the apartment but even that isn’t much respite. The Football has kept us entertained – as did Wimbledon for a couple of weeks – and the city has football fever with “It’s coming home” banners and signs, transport for London has gone all out with changing the names of stations and people in a generally chipper mood.

Loving this London time. Below top left, another of the packed pubs on the Thames Path. Two right hand pics are at the Crypt museum, old roman artefacts and the wall plus one of the many crypts.

Finally, The Camel a tiny pub Mike recommended near Victoria Park which specialises in pies. One of the many art installations we have been to check out and pre-semi final Canary Wharf was renamed to Kaneary Wharf station.