Brisbane – Singapore – London

Day One - sunny!

Temperature – 5 degrees to 15 degrees

We emerged after 24 hours of flying to a cold but sunny morning.  It was the first time we have arrived in London where conditions weren’t bleak and overcast and what a difference it makes.  We bought an Oyster Card which is the most economical and easiest way to see London.   We  caught the underground to Earl’s Court and arrived at the hotel, a reasonable walk from the station, to find a very welcoming receptionist who was willing to give us a room and breakfast straight away.  Fantastic….we quickly settled and sat and relaxed over a bite to eat and a decent coffee.

After a longed for shower we headed out to the Victoria and Albert Museum using the tube.  What a fantastic place to visit and a real Aladdin’s cave.  Upon entry huge Rodin sculptures open to a gallery of eighteenth century work which was amazing.  We wandered through many galleries including the jewellery, stained glass, miniatures and paintings.  We could have spent all day here however we moved onto Kensington Gardens walking in brilliant sunshine.

Rodin's "Cybele".....large and beautiful.

You know you are in London.......a red phone booth!

The gardens were a resplendent green and Londoners and tourists were out in droves enjoying the warmth after a few inclement weeks.  We wandered to Princess Diana’s Memorial Fountain.  It is completely surrounded by a huge fence and families sat around the large circular memorial.  Children splashed barefoot through the little cascades so I did think the designer had achieved his aim.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain.  Not your usual fountain!

David and I then walked through the beautifully planned South Kensington Gardens which were in full display of delicate blue blossoms and vivid oranges and yellows and passed the Albert Memorial.  This is structure is dedicated to Queen Victoria’s consort.    It is a huge and lavish display of marble, mosaic and gold where restraint was completely discarded in the design plans.   Little squirrels darted about occasionally daring to approach people with little paws outstretched to grab peanuts.  We passed Kensington Palace (a visit another time) and the children’s garden to the underground to make our way to Stamford Bridge to watch the Chelsea home game against Blackburn Rovers.

Yep.....over the top and it attracts a lot of attention!

A sea of blue at the Chelsea of game.....the dedicated fans carry the banners in alternate directions over the crowd. 

We caught the tube with the blue brigade and found our way in passing a very enthusiastic Chelsea supporters brass band.  Upon entry my empty water bottle had its lid removed!  I didn’t ask the security guard why……he looked very busy and very scary!  I did discover inside when we purchased our pies (what else?) and drinks that lids are removed to stop people hurling full bottles at the crowd.  It makes a Broncos game look positively tame!  No alcohol is permitted in the stands so we manoeuvred to our seats with our lidless drinks, bags and pies to watch a football match in action.

The whole stadium was a sea of Chelsea blue and we were treated to chanting, singing and clapping throughout the game.  It was all very exciting and it’s amazing how one section starts a song and the whole stadium erupts in sound.  Chelsea won the FA cup final only a week before so this game was the first time the cup could be displayed on home ground.

With another win under the Chelsea belt the crowd spilt out happily to the streets.  Police were in abundance on the ground and on horses. 

We  found our way back to the hotel with a map and I could barely wait to hit the sack.  It was a long but happy day.