This and That

Sooo after shopping time to relax before going back out.

Then out to our watering hole (ok so it's only been 2 days but hey) for a beer before going to dinner.

Then dinner at Zorba's at the Arcadian.

Of Pigs and Sweaters

To Market To Market

And then we had coffee.

We needed to fortify ourselves for shopping! At the Bullring!

5 hours later and many delightful hours spent in Selfridges and other stores we needed to head to the Yard of Ale!

Back to the hotel with our spoils! Includes lots of sweaters. But we should have bought more!

Day 4 - Birmingham continued

Will head out shortly for cappuccinos and tea.
Then some shopping across the street at http://www.bullring.co.uk/website/default.aspx



On the list: jeans, sweaters, scarves and who knows what else might strike our fancy.

Day 4 - Birmingham

Weather report - cloudy with a spot of rain.

Lazy morning in hotel, just sipping tea now and watching trashy TV.

Last night we went for a nice dinner in the Arcadian a lovely area right next to the hotel.

http://www.thearcadian.co.uk/index.php?wcId=2 we ate at Milano.

Check out Karen's mussels as a starter. And my pate with toast!

On to our main courses.

Day 3 - London to Birmingham

Our English Breakfast! Mushrooms were awesome.



Just down the street from our hotel the Royal National.














Getting ready to go to train station.

London Day 2

Tanya: enjoyed today more than yesterday because we were more in control and knew where we were going.
Karen: Oh we walked a lot! Thinks she can easily do the Resolution Walk on New Year’s Eve.
Jackie: The weather was spectacular for walking!

Highlights:
Karen spotted the Queen’s Guards and we were able to view the entire Changing of the Guards at the original gateway to the Royal Palaces.. The horses, guards,, costumes and pomp and ceremony were magnificent. Tanya video-taped it for us.
Walked from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall where we passed 10 Downing St after watching the Guards.
Then we walked around House of Parliament taking astonishing pictures. Parliament had just resumed yesterday after 86 days of paid holidays so it was bustling. Security Helicopters were flying overhead.
Then it was time for a beer at The Red Lion and sat enjoying the sun.
From there it was off to Westminster Abbey where the chimes were ringing the entire time. The 15 pound entrance fee almost stopped us from entering, however sanity prevailed and we entered. We received our touring headsets and were just mesmerized by everything we saw. Tanya’s main highlight was D.H. Lawrence’s tombstone!!
All agreed that it was totally worthwhile.
We then strolled along the Thames trying to find a taxi to take us to St. Paul’s, but we were feeling a little puckish and happened upon Sherlock Homes’ pub. We had lunch and decided to grab a taxi to Covent Gardens and Leicester Square. It happened we were only 2 blocks to Trafalgar Square and from there we walked to Covent Gardens. We then went and bought discount tickets for Wicked. Wanted to grab a taxi but the driver said our hotel was just down the street. Well after a 30 minute walk we finally got back in time to change and head out for the theatre. Got a cab and found out that the Apollo Victoria Theatre was way behind Buckingham Palace! We entered up stuck in traffic and barely made it to our seats in time!

London Day 1

Great flight, not full! Meet and greet from limo was well done. Martin met us with his silver mercedes and drove us to the hotel. Hotel check-in was fast and our room is an adequate triple.

Spent today sightseeing, had a pint, fish and chips for lunch.

You've got to love the name of this pub!