I took a 30 minute train ride from Watford to Bletchley.
I had watched a fictional series called “Bletchley Circle” and discovered it was based on a real place called Bletchley Park. Bletchley Park was a top secret home where World War II codebreakers worked, 8000 of them. The work they did effectively reduced the term of the War by 2 to 4 years. Fascinating place, particularly if you are interested in mathematics, coding and decoding messages not only in English but German and Japanese. The story of how they recruited the coders, engaged fake spies and developed the machinery to fast track the decoding. This place would be of interest if you are a computer nerd, a mathematician, have an interest in World War II, appreciate a beautiful house built in 1883 and see how it all came together.
Beautiful Bletchley Mansion built 1883Memorial to the Polish mathematicians who cracked the German Enigma codeEnigma decoder
To finish off my day and my final night in Watford I went back to the Load of Hay for a final drink and a game of bingo. I was one off three times. However, once again I experienced warm hospitality from the staff and patrons. When in Watford, pop in for a drink. Thanks Load of Hay.
The weather has been soooo cold I decided to take it easier today and explore Watford a little more. Do you feel the crispness in these photos? Even the locals have said it is cold. I cannot cope with cold below 20degrees Celsius. Today it got down to zero.
Watford is the home of Watford Football Club (The Hornets) which was owned by Elton John.
The roads are so narrow in places cars have to park partially on the footpath.
Vicarage RoadWatford High Street
I planned my walk to conclude at the Load of Hay Pub for dinner. It was a lovely surprise to find they had free beef stew for patrons. It was so lovely to have a home cooked meal. The hospitality of the staff and patrons is exactly what I had heard to expect from UK pubs. Thank you Load of Hay.
Wow!! How amazing to visit a city which has so much history and so much to see and do. I wanted to start with the most famous of all places, Buckingham Palace. I took a bus from Watford to Watford Junction, then the overground train to Euston and then the underground train to Green Park. It took a little over an hour from where I am staying, including walking time to the bus stop. The bus cost £4.80 ($AUD9.60) for a day pass. Then a day pass for London was £20.10 ($AUD40). Quite expensive although London is huge. I did not hesitate to take several trains to various places and still managed to do a phenomenal amount of walking. I am annoyed at myself for not taking my fitbit as I was going to use Strava to map my walking but did not think about how quickly my phone battery would deplete. Even with a backup battery it would not cover a day of adventure. I left Watford at 8:30am and got back to my airbnb at 10:30pm. Enjoy my day.
Buckingham Palace is a 7 minute walk from Green Park station.
Green Park with colourful daffodilsThat BalconyBuckingham Palace, Victoria Memorial and the view from Constitution HillAdmiralty Arch
The Queens’ Life Guard Dismount Parade also known as the “Four O’Clock Parade” and “Punishment Parade” was an unexpected surprise. In 1894 Queen Victoria found the entrie guard drinking and gambling while on duty so she ordered that they be inspected every day at 4pm by an officer for the next 100 years. That ended in 1994 but the parade continues as a tradition. I don’t think there is any fear of these guards drinking, they look like they are 12 years old.
obligatory pic with the local police (bobbies)Mary Poppins in the West End
Covent Garden was another unexpected surprise where you will find top class “buskers”. I loved the classical buskers in the Covent Garden Market area. A snippet of the talent and this fabulous group and this from above.
And more exploring Chinatown, 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey. There is so much to see.
ChinatownEros Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain Picadilly Circus10 Downing Street10 Downing StreetBig BenWestminster AbbeyTower BridgeTower BridgeTower BridgeTower of London
The fashion for a “bucks” night in London is very different to Sydney.
I ended my first night in London at a West End show, Choir of Man. What a wonderful way to end the evening. Must go and see these talented men. And you get free beer.
Tomorrow will be a rest day. What a great introduction to London. I have to thank a Tinder date, Howard, who offered to show me around London. I did not realise I would be doing so much in one day.
Yesterday I was a bit ambitious thinking I would go to London today. It is only my 3rd day and jet lag is still slowing me down. I will need a lot more energy to explore London. Perhaps tomorrow.
Today I walked to the closest pub to where I am staying. A typical English drizzly cold 20 minute walk taking in the various styles of homes in Watford.
Google maps took me on a back muddy path at times I thought I was in the Hansel and Gretel woods.
And then I was at my first UK pub. The Royal Oak Watford Heath. It was perfect. Warm welcome by the locals. No open fire but lovely and warm.
I enjoyed a delicious bowl of potato and leek soup. Exactly what I needed to warm up.
Just down the road I popped into my second pub, Load of Hay.
I imagine most people would choose something very different for their first day in the UK. But, I am a little different. I took the Number 8 bus down the road from my airbnb, into Watford Junction (£3 one way and found out later that I can get an all day pass for £4), where a Harry Potter shuttle bus takes you to the studios.
Entry is £49.95 and seems a little steep, although the sets are very elaborate.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the people who dressed up in their favourite characters. Their joy at being at the studio was a pleasure to experience.
some serious fans from SpainThis gentleman oozed delight at being here
I spent 4 hours enjoying all the displays. It is fascinating to see how much work is involved to produce something like Harry Potter. Some of the memories of Harry Potter brought on tears. I remember going to the first movie with my friend Sue Biber. We were worried that the movie would not live up to the book. When the doors of the Great Hall opened, tears started in my eyes as they had captured the Hall exactly as I had expected. Today, walking into that Hall brought on those tears of joy once again.
I left Sydney with some apprehension. The Russian war on Ukraine is worrying and the East coast of Australia is being ravaged by floods. I am a volunteer for the Red Cross Emergency Services and had received requests to assist in evacuation centres or in the Public Information Centre and felt guilty I was going away on a “holiday” while people are suffering. I don’t think my travel insurance will cover my guilt though. So with a couple of farewell dinners with the too much Sambucca I kissed my family and dear friends goodbye for 6 months.
My Singapore Airlines flight included a 2.5 hour stopover in Changi. The 8 hour flight was comfortable. After a 14 hour second flight, I arrived in London on 2 March 2022 for the first time. Had a giggle when propositioned by an airport worker who thought I was an American. Getting through border control was quite easy although it took 40 minutes. I was expecting Covid to have made it difficult but completing the passenger locator form before flying made the process of entering the UK very efficient.
To get to my airbnb at Watford, I had the choice to take an Uber or start my adventure testing my skills with the public transport system. Adventure won and I walked to Heathrow Central to get the 724 bus to Watford Junction at a cost of £12. Unfortunately my UK SIM card did not yet work and I didn’t have any wifi to get an Uber from Watford Juntion to the airbnb so I took a cab for £9. I did pretty alright. An Uber from Heathrow to Watford would have cost £67 and although 20 minutes longer, the bus and taxi trip saved me £46 or $AUD92. I think I will be ok with UK public transport.
Airbnb – my home for the first 7 days to get my bearings
I chose this place in Watford as it was well priced, had a separate granny flat with a garden in case I got Covid I didn’t want to be stuck in a hotel room in London with no window. Watford is known for Elton John purchasing their football team many years ago and the Harry Potter Studio which I am going to tomorrow.
Over 50 Aussie female solo traveller USA road trip and beyond 