McLays in Europe

Arriving at Berkhamsted station we were met by Alison's cousin John who had moved to London almost 30 years ago. We had last seen John in Melbourne when we were all packed up to shift to Alice Springs in 1985 when he was home for a visit. John and his partner Alison have a new baby Robert who is very cute.
The first day we took it easy and in the afternoon we went into the nearby town of Chesham for a look around the local area. We walked to the old church and along the historic church street.
As there was still plenty to see in London we headed of the following day with our sights set on Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. The gods were smiling and it was the sunny day we had hoped for, cold but the cold is ok, just throw another jacket on. When we reached the station we decided to catch a bus rather than the underground so we could see more of the sights. After being nabbed for 80p to save the children (or more like save the Gypsy) we boarded the bus for the Towers. There were all of the attractions we had only heard about. "Oh look Alison cried! Trafalgar Square" Snap snap. Tower bridge grew closer and before we knew it we were walking on it and enjoying the history of its construction amid controversy in the community at that time. It must have been spectacular in those days with the steam driven equipment to raise the bridge. Of course now it has all been modernised to electricity.
The Tower of London was next and quickly we joined a tour. A Beefeater guide was telling yarns 'Any Australians around here?' Surprisingly quite a few put their hands up and then he pointed to the gaol section and said 'Welcome home'. He took us around the site and explained a lot of the history and tried to scare some of the young kids with gruesome stories of beheadings. We visited the Tower where Royals and others were held until either they were freed or beheaded and saw the Crown Jewels. We also visited the chapel. He informed us that servicemen who have worked for at least 22 years in the armed forces can apply to be Beefeaters and that they have recently employed the first female. They live on site with their families and are allowed to use the chapel for things such as christenings or weddings. The jewels were spectacular and in one section you stand on a conveyer belt as it takes you past cabinets full of crowns etc.
We had an arranged meeting with a collegue friend of Alison and so took off to Liverpool station to meet in front of Starbucks. Walking around this place made Ian feel like he was on a monopoly board. However by 10 past 6 we wondered if we had it right. As it turns out Sally & Andrew were standing at another Starbucks which are everywhere. We contacted by mobile and soon met. We followed them to Brick Row, the place of Indian restaurants and Sally negotiated with a representative of one for free half pint of beer each and pappadoms. So in we went and sat down to chat over supper.
Alison and Sally had worked together in the Territory and so had much to catch up on and Ian was happy to meet someone finally who could say more than 5 words about the AFL. Sally and Andrew have been living in London for around 6 months. In fact Andrew was a sport fanatic and both he and Ian got on well. Andrew followed the Tigers but had much to say about the greatest team of all - Geelong!.
Getting back to John & Alison's place was a cold journey by train and then cab but they were up when we got there rocking their beautiful little baby son and so we sat and chatted for a while before retiring to bed.
Next day was another sleep in (well we are on holidays!) and then we went to Berkhampton for the afternoon. We visited the ruins of a castle of William the Conqueror and walked along the canels dropping in at some pubs for a meal and a drink. It was sunny but very cold with the frost staying on the grass all day in parts where the sun did not reach.
Next day we walked into Chesham and shopped for some meat and vegies so that we could cook a roast for supper. John was out tonight at Morris Dance practice - a form of traditional folk dance of England. Tomorrow we head off from England and catch plane to Madrid where we will pick up our Trafalgar Tour through Spain, Portugal and Morocco.