h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Part One.

Neighbour dropped us at the station and off we went.

Underground: Waterloo - Lancaster Gate, silly sods we have taken far too much in our wheelie cases. Escalators nearly freak out me other half and as for me - nearly had a tumble. Still we had several offers of help getting up the stairs. I declined because though it is heavy with two cases by the scruff, at least they are balanced.

Found hotel and dumped cases. Room OK, bit basic, but clean except for the bed cover.

Walk into Hyde Park. Surprised by the wild life. Great Crested Grebe, tame Heron, Jays, Rabbits and all the usual ducks, swans, squirrels and a few sparrows. There used to be hoards of sparrows.

I guess we walked round most of Hyde Park and a bit of Kensington - Albert Memorial. Diana Fountain - people complaining it was not fitting and a waste of money. Woman stripped off behind some bins afer taking a dip at the Lido. Funky solar powered boat on the Serpentine. Took a row boat out - showing off my oarsmanship!!!!

Tonight its off to the South Bank in Part Two.

So far,so good !! At least you WERE offered help with your cases..For London,I think thats well worth a mention !! PS If you want to see hoards of sparrows,visit my garden ! I have a colony nesting in the ivy !! It's wonderful !

We used to have about 30 pairs of sparrow visiting the garden, then a couple of years back they just disappeared. We now have the odd one or two - very strange. We have had no resident Robin this year either. A few more Tits around including the wonderful Long Tailed Tits. We do have an increased cat population though, not to mention Sparrow Hawk.

Part Two shortly.

We took the tube to the Embankment, walked over the bridge and onto the SouthBank. On previous visits we had walked down to the 'wobbly' bridge and over the river, this time we wanted to walk down to Tower Bridge.

Which is what we did. Pleasantly surprised by the City Hall which seemed rather small in its setting and we could compare it with the 'Gerkin' over the river. Having got that far and never having been over Tower Bridge we continued over the bridge, round the Tower complex adn back along the Thames path. We had admired an arched and well lit waterfront facade from the South Bank to find we could pass over its forecourt. There was some swanky do on - dress formal - full works. Tons of security men. So I asked one who seemed approachable about the building. The sign on the wall should have told us - Billingsgate, the former fish market building. This guy was terrific. Judging from his accent he was local and he gave told us about the conversion and its use.

Onward - we were getting a little footsore and the path was getting dingier and claustrophobic. We were quite glad when a diversion forced us toward the Monument and we decided to call it a day. Not before quaffing an excellent large tea and tiffin, from the tube station kiosk. We sat in the warm night air right under the Wren's Monument to the Great Fire of London. Its Golden Flames gleaming in the night. We were tempted to come back and do the trip to the top, but we had plans, so it will have to waite.

Part Three: The British Museum.

Aah,I see,the sparrow-hawk could be the culprit in the disappearance of your sparrows.... You certainly did some walking around London didn't you ? Did you ever find out just who the posh do was for ? I love the British Museum,can't wait to hear all about it ! I'm off for a cup of tea now,with all that excitement (and walking) I need a break now.See you later for the next part of the adventure x

There was no indication as to what the posh do was, but some of the men not only were in DJs, but with patent leather shoes.

Part Three

The British Museum

I last went there in the 70's where one of their staff ID'd a flint scrapper I had found in the garden.

I was gobsmacked by the Sutton Hoo treasures and wanted to see them again and as me other half had never been it was a must.

Well our gasts had never been so flabbered. Not only was it free, but photography is allowed - no flash and then there is that roof. We had not glimpsed it and made a bee line for the Sutton Hoo exhibits. Up the stairs and there on the left is what looks like a window, except it is a balcony overlooking this magnificent inner courtyard which covers the whole area including the reading room where Marx wrote Das Capital.

Its sort of like the Eden Project for cultural artifacts.

We intended to spend just a morning, but it turned into a whole day.

We had a break at lunch time and found a super Italian Restaurant just over the road.

The exhibits are incredable -I particularly wanted to see the double headed turquoise serpent from the Maya. Absolutely exquisite.

The place is so vast you would need a week to get round it fully. As it was we still have a good bit to go back to.

I used to think we should give back the plunder like the Elgin Marbles - didn't see them - but it has become a museum for the world and I can't think of anywhere else where you can access these treasures so freely. Most of us will never be able to see them in their original context.

What amazes me is the quality of the craftsmanship from ancient times. To look at sublime ceramics made centuries ago and as good as anything made since. Wonderful and awesome - in its correct sense.

The whole day was a delight. Favourite item - some little carved bone figures of young maidens from egypt that looked as if they we carved yesterday, but also looking so contemporary.

Part Four - The South Bank Again and a spooky meeting.

Have just caught up on this and I am enthralled! More, more please!

UG

I completely agree with you So,the museum is such a fabulous place,it should be the 8th Wonder of the World in my opinion !! Some of the exhibits from the bronze age,earrings,bracelets and necklaces,are works of art,and look as if they'd been made for todays market ! Incredible ! I lived near the musuem,a few years ago,Russel Square,and went as often as possible,once a day if I could.I still didn't even scratch the surface of seeing the museum.We should be allowed,under British Law,to have a year out,just to enjoy everything the museum has to offer ! We should begin a campaign !!! Can't wait for the next episode !....Hi UG,hope your well xxx

Where are you So ? Are you OK ? I'm missing you !

Part Four

That evening we decided to return to the South Bank.

Forgot to mention in previous walk the lovely the area around Southwark Cathedral - they were bell ringing and you could hear it meandering through the narrow alleys around the 'Golden Hind'.

Any road up - they were rehearsing for a dance performance in front of the Festival Hall. A female dancer was hitched up to a bungee rope on a 'flag pole' so that most of her weight was taken on the rope. Facinating to watch and we would have liked to have been there fore the performance proper the next night.

I was aware that a person had sat down next to us and slightly behind - we were perched on one of the tree seats. A female voice, which seemed to be pitched at me, said 'Would you be from Weymouth?'

I turned and said 'No, but I used to live there.'

The voice was a pretty twenty something who then asked it I was a teacher. Again 'No, but I used to be.'

It turned out that I had been her maths teacher and she had recognised me. I could not place her until she told me her name and then I recognised and remembered her. She had only been married a couple of weeks and was working for the Beeb.

Part Five soon. Promise.

Once seen never forgotten eh So ? What a small world we live in ! A maths teacher !!! Oh dear,I JUST passed my maths O'level,JUST !! Remind me not to talk in telephone nos.with you OK ? I'll confuse us both hahahahhahha OK,part 5....ASAP ! Love Pinky x

Part 4.5

We had a lovely chat and thought we would go tother way up past the eye.

we did that a while back - really good and not at all un-nerving, so steady you don't realise you are moving.

They are still doing the bungie acrobatics outside the old County Hall with the 'Dali' sculptures. this American 'student' was being egged on by two girls he was with, also American, to do it higher and then somersault. OK once then he got it wrong, its a wonder he didn't injure himself.

Over Westminister Bridge, not quite a Wordsworth experience. Then back along to Charing Cross, up to Picadilly to look at the lights. Just the usual tourist stuff and then we walked back towards the Mall, through Admiralty arch and into Trafalgar Square. Had a really good look at the Alison Lapper sculpture and took a few pics in the dark.

Getting late so back to base.

Part Five:

We had plenty of time on the Friday morning so we opted for the tube rather than the expense of a taxi. Bit of a battle as we caught the tail end of the rush hour. Still we were at Waterloo Eurostar in good time.Stood about till we were allowed in. Everything checked and time for a coffee while we waited to be called to board.

What can you say about Eurostar. It's a train, looking a little tired, smooth, fast and in no time through the tunnel, quite a non event really - it goes dark outside for 20mins and that's it. A stop in Lille, longer than usual and Brussels shortly after.

Part Six: The Belgian adventure.

Right,thats a bit disappointing then ?The Eurostar I mean ! I haven't travelled on it yet So,and now,after your detailed description of the experience,I probably never will ..I didn't expect the earth to move or anything (God forbid),but I thought it might have been a little more exciting ! Nevermind ,part 6.....In your own time of course (BUT ASAP is fine with me !)Patience ? ME ? I've got the patience of a saint I have !!!! Looking forward to reading it x

But it's that twenty minutes, GA, when you've got the whole weight of the English Channel sitting above you

I think you're very brave - you wouldn't get me through there in a million fears!





UG

Sorry! Part 6...........

UG

Pinky waves enthusiastically back to UG XXXXX

UG How lovely it is to have you back with us - how yer diddling?

I know what you mean about the weight of the channel, but you never see the sea, you can't see anything, its just 20mins of darkness outside.

I like train journeys and Eurostar is good, but there is no big fuss.

Part Six.

We weren't too confident about the metro system and decided a taxi was in order. The trip was a 60th Birthday pressie from kids and sisters and they had got a deal on a 5-star hotel. Turning up on foot hot and sweaty towing articulated luggage (something you lug) creates the wrong impression.

We found our way out into bright hot sunshine and a queue for taxis. Some smart black Mercs and MPV, what do we get a tired ,though not old, white Citroen estate and an older miserable driver.

Automatic tailgate opens and by the time he shuffled to the rear we had the luggage stowed. Out into traffic. Usual city stuff, heavy and slow. Horns now and again and our driver joins in the frivolity with typical Gallic mutterings, occasional louder outburst accompanied by a hands of steering wheel wild mid-finger salute to a waving driver who had got the jump on the gap our driver had mentally allocated for himself. Joy! Slow progress. I had done the map thing and we vere not going via Paris, so that was fine. He tried one detour up the parrallel service road to the ring-road. Muttered hugely and shot off a 90 degrees round the backstreets.

Rather nice scenic route which he says something about the traffic being 'murder' though it could have been 'merde'. Still miserable untill he is forced to stop by a young overdressed couple. All of a sudden his mood and attitude does a reverse turn. Hands in the air, clapping - "Bravo,Bravo." Turns to us and with an air of expectancy says 'they marriied'. We take the hint and join in the clapping and the 'bravos' - not British at all, but it sets the mood.

He is not exactly sure where the hotel is and misses a turn and actually apologises when we get there and manages to assist with the luggage.

Hotel in a deep narrow street not far from the EU quarter. No staff to be seen so they would not have known if we had walked. No help with luggage and the desk is located up some marble steps and round the corner. We spot a cobweb on the steps, tut tut. The receptionist, excellent English, says we have been upgraded and gives a swipe card to get in.

Part 6.5 shortly.
There on the

Worth struggling with the luggage (and the driver) just for the upgrade alone So,in my humble opinion ! I've seen them drive over there,really,we're very lucky your still here to tell us the story !!! The spiders web on the steps must have been a scary moment too ? OK,I'm settled now...Pt 6.5...when your ready ! x

Part 6.5

Still no help with luggage, its only later we realise most guests bring their own help or only stay a short while.

Up in the cramped lift, false book shelves and books on the back wall, some books with humerous titles.

I'm following ,down the corridor, wife swipes the lock and opens door and stops. Door is open, but we are going nowhere. After a short pause wife turns round and says 'Your'e not going to believe this.'

Her initial reaction was OK where's the bed? Then her gaze took her further into the room, stepping into the lobby area - antique furniture desk, then the lounge - setee, tables, chairs,old oil paintings, still no bed. Look left - bedroom with bed - one with a domed canopy and drapes. Cable TV in both rooms lamps everywhere. It was a huge suite with a huge bath, no shower, marble wash-basin. Luxury, well amazing, like one of these pictures you see in magazines and almost as big as our ground floor at home.

Later we discover a tarriff notice, discretely hidden in the wardrobe - 1050 Euro per night - that's about £700 - bloody hell we had £2100 worth!

We assume the suite was free, sorry available, and we would have been in a room they needed for the Sun/Mon return of EU staff and polititians otherwise. Perhaps it had not been screened for electronic bugs recently?

Downside - no complimentary tea/coffee and continental breakfast £32 for the two of us each day. A sandwich was £8.

Though we were on the top 5th floor there was no view. The street was narrow with an equally tall office opposite you could not see past. All you could see were empty offices with the occasional security staff mooching around. Still we had blinds and curtains.

The rooms were not too well sound proofed either - we could hear, from our bathroom, next door in theirs and one time more noise when I guess it was some form of bedroom gymnastics.

We just used the room for sleeping etc and went out all the rest of the time. It seemed a shame with all this luxury that we could not afford all the extras and really pampered ourselves. Still we would not have gone out and done as much as we did otherwise.

The cobweb was still there when we left - I have the photo.

Part Seven - The Grand Place - soon.

Sounds fabulous,the apartment So,shame about the views from the windows though for such a classy place....A bit disappointing really ! Not to metion the acoustics from next door...still,cable TV in BOTH rooms,and lamps everywhere,sounds good to me !..... 'The Grand Place',part 7...I'm expecting views.....x