New and old friends in London

Thursday and Friday saw us catching up with friends in London. Late Wednesday night saw us rendezvous with David Doig (a Scottish trained Doctor who worked at Geelong for some time, now working in the infamous NHS in London). We dined on typical English fare at a local pub in Kensington and planned the next days activities.

Doig promised Kelly he could take her to a museum and show her 2 things without her getting bored. This would be quite a feat and one I had not managed so far on the trip. He was so sure there was even a wager made with Kelly receiving a chocolate bar of her choice if she did not find the exhibits interesting. So the Victoria and Albert Museum was pencilled in for the morning and we all agreed a trip to the Tower of London would be a good way to spend the afternoon. If time permitted we would finish the day in reflection at Evensong at Westminster abbey (also the only Free way to enter that great abbey).

Well true to his word, Kelly (and I) were suitably impressed with the Raphael Cartoons and the Plaster cast gallery that no chocolate bar changed hands. The visit to the Tower was also rather enjoyable although Kelly had already been. A Henry VIII armour exhibition and a glimpse at the Crown jewels were the highlight.

Friday night was spent in the incredibly hospitable company of Gareth Rowlands, a friend from Braemar College (my high school). A quick look around his hotel (the Park Royal) let us know what we were missing out on (our room being the size of bathroom at his hotel) and a Gin and tonic before heading out set the mood of the evening perfectly. A (possibly more) British cuisine was chosen for the night and we headed off to dine at the local Indian restaurant. A veritable feast awaited us, first in food and then in alcohol as the hours flew by in rapid conversation. Early closing time at the pub next door closed the evening early (and just as well looking back) and we said our farewells. Hopefully it will not be another 6 or so years until we meet again.

The tube was a mess the next morning, with the all important central line closed. That meant a 15 minute journey to Victoria station took 1 hour and we were starting to get a little nervous about catching our easyjet flight to Morocco. Luckily all went well and we headed off to Marrakesh, with only mildly sore heads from the night before.