London

The last 9.2 miles this morning. After 4,200 miles this was an easy way to finish our wanderings! The morning was significantly cooler and a much heavier dew had formed on the van and the ground. Time we went home!

Took the van to the storage area in Harlow - a very pleasant reception there with the owner offering to drive us to the station for our trip to London.

Arrived in London at Liverpool Street station - a short walk to James' unit. Had a quick lunch with him before getting a London Cab to our hotel.

Trafalgar Square - warm day paddling

Settled in for a while before walking down to Australia House to vote. Having done this we continued down the Strand to the National Gallery. Spent some time in the 18th and 19th century rooms - always a pleasant experience.

After the Bath - Degas

Back to the hotel before heading out to the Angel for dinner with James and his mates, Mark, Barry and Gary.

Mark, James, Gary and Barry

Home just before midnight.

Hertford

Beautiful morning here in Hertford. We decided to stay another day before delivering the van to storage at Harlow.

This time was needed to leisurely clean and empty the van of all the build-up of three months on the road! 

Campground at Hertford

Chatted with some other Aussies who are on the road for 18 months. They purchased their van from a dealer in Germany - brand new for only €42000.00! 

Looking forward to delivering the van to storage in the morning and then catching the train to London where we have a hotel booked.

Hertford

Congestion tax in London starts at 7.00 am on a Monday morning - so an early get-away was required if we didn't want to be snared by the system! A 6.30 am start from Fann Street was the order of the day. At this time in London the traffic is starting to heat up a little but nothing like the trip into the city on Friday afternoon.

Early morning - Fann Street

The trip to Hertford seemed painless, taking about an hour. We stopped to have breakfast at a parking area.  Arriving at the caravan park before nine meant we had to wait for the office to open!

For our last two days with the van we wanted somewhere that provided all the facilities to wash, clean and relax at the same time. This provided just that. All the linen and clothes we are leaving were washed, and the lovely weather ensured this was all perfectly dry before packing it away.

Hertford - relaxing

We had time to relax and chat with other travellers. Another Aussie couple had purchased a van in Germany and were travelling for over 18 months. Way to go!!

Enjoyed the late afternoon sun and a tasty evening meal.

London

An early start this morning with Petticoat Lane market being our early morning destination. This historic market  is mainly a clothes market, as it has been  for hundreds of year.    

Sculpture - Broadgate London

Shoes - Petticaote Lane market

The old and the new!

Returned to Fann Street for a late lunch with James. The remainder of the afternoon was packing our large cases which we were leaving with James to be picked up in Wednesday when we return to London.

A "selfie" - on the London tube.

Later in the evening we all went out to a restaurant down in Covent Garden. For a Sunday night there were thousands of people still out and about. The meal was delicious! 

Covent Garden

Returned for a good nights sleep.

London

A quiet night in old London Town! Warm, and awake early.

Away early to purchase tickets for a show tonight - Dirty Dancing! But not with Patrick Swayze I hear Helene complain!

... at the Picadilly Theartre

Later took the underground to Pimlico for the Tate Gallery. Still an outstanding museum and perhaps my favourite had to be The Flatford Mill by Constable.

Tate Britain

Returned to Fann Street for lunch with James and later for a delightful walk around the Barbican complex. The residents of this magnificent t development have a keyed-access to private gardens within the complex.

Barbican Lake Terrace and St Giles Cripplegate

An exhibition in the Barbican demonstrated - for a fee - 3-D printing!

3-D printing at the Barbican

Later returned for a bite before heading off to the Piccadilly Theartre for the performance of Dirty Dancing.

Piccadilly Theartre

London

The dog-walkers of Cookham were out early this morning. But what an interesting walk for all - along the Thames towpath.

Away at a leisurely pace to re supply before visiting  Osterley House and before doing battle with the London traffic. 

 Ivory carved Chinese junk

Osterley is a little oasis situated near Heathrow airport - the former residence of the Child family who made their money in banking and controlling the East Indian Company's  trade into England.  Many of the items on show in the house were of East Asian heritage. The ivory carved Chinese junk, the large Chinese vases, the Japanese screens, the silks and cotton drapes, all reflect this trading activity of the 18th century.

Osterly House

Later in the afternoon we set out on an 8 mile journey into The City - exactly two hours later we arrived at our destination.I understand   why we don't do this lightly! 

Night out in Angel

Caught up with James shortly after arriving and later enjoyed a very delightful Italian meal up in Angel Islington. What an alive and vibrant part of London. A lovely summers evening evening and London with the able population out enjoying the last throws of summer! Home to bed by midnight after a night-cap o Jaegermeister with James.

Bampton

How long can this wonderful weather last! Another beautiful morning with sun reflecting off the Thames as canal boats smoothly cruise by ... but we must leave!

Thames at Bampton

Breakfasted and then move on to Farringdon - a village steeped in history with every era of British history being reflected in the town from Alfred the Great having a place here, the Baron's War in 1135, Charles I's defence line here etc. now a quaint market town.

Corn market - Farringdon

Later visited Bampton, the village used in the Downton Abbey drama. A busy little village of the mellow stone build houses. You can see why a TV company would choose it as a setting for a series - but down the road a little there was another village that equally could have been a location!

Bampton Church

Bampton

On to Ashton to the pottery works - nothing special but seems to be very popular.

Onto  Abingdon, another Thames town worth a visit! Perhaps you can become a little braise about how gorgeous some of these villages and towns are - but being on the Thames there is a little more incentive to be cute and cuddly! 

Because we are lining up to go into London tomorrow afternoon what better place to stay overnight than at Cookham - so that's where we ended up!  Beautiful village with a  lovely walking track along the Thames.