United Kingdom Part 3

Wednesday 19 October 2005

Sandy spent the afternoon doing the Lords Tour - very interesting. Patsy joined him in London for final drinks and a meal. Prior to that he had lunch with Kesavan Sandrsegaran, a former pupil. It was great meeting him after 21 years and he treated Sandy to a tremendous lunch at a little Thai place near Liverpool St Station.

The Pavillion at Lords

Tuesday 18 October 2005

Today Sandy and Patsy went to Hampton Court, the palace of royals from Tudor to Stuart times. Fascinating before a little meal in the West End and a late night coffee at 273 with Gill.

Patsy and Anne Boleyn at Hampton Court

Monday 17 October 2005

Patsy had a day at 273 Leahurst Rd watching a TV drama before joining Sandy, who had been walking all over London, and Gill for "The Mousetrap". We all really enjoyed it - good actors and the same murderer as we remember when we saw it in 1977 (25th year), now 2005 (53rd year) and the closing exhortation "Keep the secret of who dun it in your hearts".


Sunday 16 October 2005

Today we and Gill took in a series of piano pieces with a string quartet at the Blackheath Halls, Scubert, Schumann and Owen Leech, the latter being there to explain all about his piece, the other two sadly dead! Magnificent! Then onto spend a wonderful evening with Sandy and Di Steven taking in the National Gallery, with Sandy showing us an incredible painting by Holbein with a skull only visable when viewed from a very fine angle, a two pub crawl and a great Thai meal! We really hope we can reciprocate when they come to Australia.

Di and Sandy Steven

Saturday 15 October 2005

Patsy and Gill spent the day shopping at Fortnam and Mason's and elsewhere before taking in "Pride and Prejudice" in Islington. Sandy walked for miles around London taking in St Jame's Park, Streatham (old stomping ground - spent Christmas and New Year here with Adam and Tertia in 1980/1981) and Clapham Common. Then we all met at Gill's to eat the spoils from Fortnams!


Friday 14 October 2005

Sandy hit town, checked out Myrtles - no longer there- and took in the Imperial War Museum. Quite spectacular, with many interactive exhibits. Then Patsy and Gill joined him in London for "The Woman in White", not up to LLoyd-Webber's best, followed by a little snack nearby and a late trip home (2400 hrs).


Thursday 13 October 2005

Sandy went into town and got tickets for "The Woman in White" and "The Mousetrap" then another lazy day with a chicken meal with Gill.


Wednesday 12 October 2005

Sandy walked into London and then came home to hit Sainsbury's with Patsy to get ingredients for a Spag. Bol. which we had with Gill. A couple of drinks, a couple of laughs. A lazy day that we enjoyed.


Tuesday 11 October 2005

We took the Portsmouth train to Haselmere to have lunch and the afternoon with John and Liesel Evans at their beautiful house set on two acres of very well manicured lawn and garden. Once again it was great to catch up with news. John and Liesel are wonderful hosts.

John and Liesel Evans
Evans' Garden

Monday 10 October 2005

Today we took a trip back to our old stomping ground of West Drayton to see if we could exorcise some demons from when we taught at schools there. Ghastly memories came flooding back enhanced by the fact that pupils were coming out of school while we were there. The area if anything was more run down than we remember it. Then onto Patrick and Les Stirling for a wonderful time of recalling the past and catching up. A great evening was had by all.

Pat and Les Stirling