Had a bit of a lie in this morning and then set off for the day. I bought myself a railcard on my Oyster car this week because I knew I had work all week. So this meant I spent £37 and can travel on train, tube and bus as much as I like within zones 1-3. I took advantage of this time and got the bus and train from mine to Notting Hill Gate.
I haven't got too much still on my 'London List' that I haven't done or organised, but Portobello Road and Notting Hill was still yet to be crossed off! Today that changed.
Up until a couple of weeks ago I hadn't seen the film 'Notting Hill'. I'm really glad I watched it before I headed out this way though, as it made it more interesting to be able to recognise the area from the film!! I started off just wandering up Portobello Road, looking at stalls and shops. I did something highly unusual for me - I bought some souvenirs! I've not bought any at all in London. To be honest, living here and buying English souvenirs is seen as a bit 'daggy' because you look more touristy than expat. But it's now close enough til when I go home to buy some! So I bought some socks with buses, union jacks and 'keep calm and carry on' on them. I also bought a keep calm poster. Next year is going to be really stressful and I'm nervous about it already, so I'll stick that up in my room when home!!
I kept walking up Portobello Road until I found the intersection with Westbourne Park Road. And low and behold, right there near the corner was THE blue door! The one from the film! Apparently the original was auctioned off for charity but it's been replaced. Nevertheless I got my photo taken in front of it by two American girls, and then I returned the favour.
I kept on walking and looking at the shops until eventually I came to some food stalls. I'm usually too stingy to buy food from these but after the zoo the other week I realised just how fab market food here is. So I treated myself to a gourmet steak burger, and boy was it good! Absolutely delicious, and I justified it because I got lots of iron from it. I sat and ate it in the sun, taking in the smells of the other food stalls around me - polish sausage, fries, Spanish paella....I'm salivating just thinking about it all again!!!
I turned back and walked down the other side of Portobello Road. After doing so,e research on my phone I was able to locate the coffee shop that Hugh Grant walks out of and spills orange juice all over Julia Roberts. It looks completely different now though. I also located and went inside of the 'Travel Bookstore' which is now a gift shop, but I could see the layout and shape of the store matched the one in the movie.
I then started walking towards Hyde Park. I loved walking around today. I had just started saying to myself that the summer rush of tourists would have ended now so it would be quieter, but I was wrong! The World Cup means London is buzzing now more than ever, and I love it. I saw Uruguay fans, Argentina fans (waiting for the game later today at Wembley vs NZ), France fans and NZ fans. So many rugby jerseys everywhere!!!
I got to Hyde Park and walked to Kensington Palace. Mum and I went inside here in 2011, but today I just walked around the outside. The gardens were free to meander through and looked lovely in the sunshine. I had a great time enjoying them and finding the statue of Queen Victoria! This after all was her childhood home.
I went to the front and saw the gate I remembered from last time. So pretty!! Lots more people about than in winter though. Everyone was out sun baking, playing frisbee, riding boris bikes and just overall enjoying the sunshine. I just tell myself that the sunshine will end and then we get another bout of it - no complaints here!!
I walked through Hyde Park, past speakers corner to Marble Arch. And on the way I spotted a huge yellow bus. Every time I see a huge coloured bus at the moment my rugby World Cup fan radar goes mad, and today it was right again! I legged it about 50m just as the Romanian team passed me inside their bus. Took a quick photo for whichever teacher's class has them at school.
I then got the tube to Oxford Circus, had a quick look in the shops and then got the tube again to Jamie's. I was trying to meet up with Trevor and Janet's (from my Anzac tour) daughter Kathryn but it was too hard trying to figure out where we both were with her Aussie phone and my UK one. Never mind!! I got a few things at Westfield that I needed (groceries, toiletries etc) then headed to Jamie's where I watched the all blacks playing Argentina. Argentina put up a good fight and were leading at half time, but NZ won it in the end. I'm learning more about the rules every time I watch, and I saw the Haka and learned four player's names. Woo! As prepared for Thursday as I'll ever be now :P
Now I'm back home just chilling out and getting ready for tmro. I have that Sunday night feeling, but then I remember what an exciting week I have ahead. My best friend Ash arrives tmro and I've not seen her since I left Aus. I have my birthday dinner Wednesday, Harry Potter studios and the rugby World Cup game on my birthday (Thursday) and then Oktoberfest Saturday. WHAT A WEEK!!! :) I've also stuck my poster on my wall.
Love to all
Claire
Xoxox
No comments:
Post a Comment