Anyone who reads this blog will note from previous posts
that I’m incredibly proud of my home city, Coventry. If I couldn’t live in
Coventry I’d definitely want to live in London because I absolutely love it!
In fact my only problem with visiting London is that I never
leave any time to just sit and relax when I visit. There is so much to do and
see. If I sit down for more than 10 minutes I feel as though I’m missing out on
the excitement.
This weekend was a case in point – from my arrival just
after lunchtime on Friday to my return home on Sunday evening I have had a
whirlwind weekend full of fun.
After checking into my hotel in Lancaster Gate I set off for
theatre land. I do love a good show and tonight’s offering was The Wizard of Oz
at the London Palladium.
This was my first visit to the Palladium and what a lovely
surprise it was. The inside of the theatre is gorgeous, even in the bar areas!
As my visit to London was only planned at the last minute I
had booked really cheap tickets online for this show. I paid just £16.50 each
and was allocated seats near the very back of the upper circle. I don’t mind
having seats up in the gods, in fact sometimes the view can be equally as good
as the stalls.
However, when I went to the box office to collect the
tickets, I was given the option of upgrading for another £10 each. Given a
choice between the grand circle and the stalls I chose the grand circle and I
was absolutely thrilled with the new seats. We were given front row seats in
the grand circle and right in the centre of the theatre. The view of the stage
was amazing and although I don’t want to spoil the show for anyone who hasn’t seen
it, some action takes place above the stalls that anyone in those seats would
need to turn around to see.
From my new seat in the grand circle the action was
literally right in our faces.
The cast were all great, from Des O’Connor as the Wizard to ‘Toto’
the dog. A special mention has to go to the actors playing Lion and Tin Man. I
laughed so much each time either of them spoke; they really made the show for
me!
Day 2 of my mad weekend started with an early trip to
Notting Hill and a walk through Portobello Road market. Wow! What a very long
market this is. Having walked the length of it I now understand that scene from
Notting Hill where Hugh Grant walks through the market and the seasons change
around him!
I’m extremely proud to say that not only did I bring back a
few souvenirs, but I also started my Christmas shopping! (Yes, I do know it’s
only July- how organised is that?)
Saturday evening was the real highlight of my weekend when I
visited Kew the Music. This fabulous event in Kew Gardens is held to raise
money to support the amazing work they do to protect plant species.
The fantastic Will Young was performing on Saturday night
and despite the rain (which was extremely heavy at times) he had the whole
crowd on our feet and singing along.
Normally I wouldn’t publish a photo of a celebrity because
they do ask the audience not to take photos at these events. (No-one takes any
notice but they do ask.) But on this occasion I feel justified in sharing this
one because the lovely Mr Young did encourage the audience to take out their
camera phones. So as he was obviously happy for us to take pic’s – here’s one
of the many that I took.
The evening ended with a spectacular firework display above
Kew’s glass house. Amazing and even the rain didn’t spoil it!
Sunday was another hectic day, spent racing around London,
mostly around the Hyde Park area meeting up with various people. Due to the
crowds on the tubes around Hyde Park (because of the Wireless Festival), I
managed to fulfil one of my long held ambitions – to cycle around London on a
Boris Bike! I picked up a cycle at Hyde Park corner and after getting my ‘bicycle
legs’ by riding across Hyde Park I cycled around a few roads on the way back to
Lancaster Gate. What a very clever initiative to introduce these bikes. I know the
London Mayor Boris Johnson is credited with introducing them but I’m not sure
he actually thought of the original idea. Whoever it was – I salute you….although
obviously not while actually cycling because I need two sweaty hands on the
handlebars at all times!
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