Out and about in the big city

I'm just packing the suitcase getting ready for our trip to Santorini (YUS!) and thought I had better update the blog because a whole lot has happened since we've been back in Reading; a trip to Oxford, 2 day trips to London and a Fulham football match!

Annalisa took the day off work on Monday and took Simon and I up to Oxford for the day. It was Simon's first time to Oxford and was a great day out. We ate a lot of good food, checked out some of the university buildings and had a walk along the river. For lunch Annalisa took us to her favourite spot and the food was mighty fine, almost Petone cafe good ;)

Outside one of the university buildings

Walking around

Annalisa!

Nice lawn

Chilling at 'Georgina's'

Hot chicken salad - a bit spicy!

After our lovely day out in Oxford we went to a village called Thame to meet Annalisa's mum and husband. Thame is about 10 minutes from where Annalisa grew up so it was nice to see her old stomping ground. I loved meeting Annalisa's mum and can't wait to introduce her to my mum one day :)

In Thame

On Tuesday we headed into London for the day. I met up with Yvonne, an old workmate from Tawhai and Simon met up with his friend Andrew on his lunch break. Yvonne took me on a walk up Primrose Hill to show me a view of London. Primrose Hill is in Regent's Park and the view was spectacular. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and I could see so much of London. Then we walked around Primrose Hill and had lunch at a pub. It was lovely catching up with Yvonne and hearing about life in London.

Can you see London Eye?

After lunch in Primrose Hill

We met back up at 2.30pm and had a few hours to spare so decided to check out Madame Tussaud's (a recommendation from my dad). We managed to get in straight away and spent a few hours looking around. It took a while to get used to the wax figures because they looked so real! We both saw some of favourite folks and got some sweet pictures.

Brangelina

1D

Nadal

The great Lara

Ali

Lomu

The Royals

William Shakespeare

Oscar Wilde

Charles Dickens

Si's fav!

Matt's fav!

J-Lo

The King of Pop

The King - for Uncle Kev!

We managed to get back to Reading in time to see Tabitha before she went to bed and then we spent the night with Holly and Jim. They loved meeting Simon, hearing so much about him while I lived there, and Jim and him absolutely hit it off. They smoked cigars and drank whiskey - what more could a guy ask for?! Holly and I made a risotto for dinner and it was just like old times except when I looked out into the garden Simon was there :) :) :)

Wine and cigar time

Bonding

Wednesday was another big day out in London and it was another glorious day. We did a spot of shopping before heading to meet a friend at the Tate Modern. On the walk there we walked through Trafalgar Square and past Big Ben and the Houses f Parliament. It was good to see them all again. 

Nelson's Column

Trafalgar Square

Good old double decker

London Eye and the Thames!

Si and Ben

After we had looked around the Tate we quickly went to the sweetest attraction in London - M&M World! I was pretty happy at this point and could not believe a place like this existed. I was a bit overwhelmed actually, it was amazing.

I know I'm in London

Oh dear, which ones will I choose?

Cool street

Pick'n'Mix M&M style

Yus! They had my name!

Then we started making our way to Craven Cottage, home of Fulham Football Club, to watch them play Rotherham. What an experience. It was fantastic and I'm glad to have crossed that off my bucket list but man was it intense! The fans were something else, such a unique experience. They showed so much emotion and I don't think I've ever heard so much swearing, they sure do love their team. We both wore our tops to show our support and they came away with a draw which was better than we thought after Rotherham scored early on in the game. The walk to the stadium was amazing too, Fulham is a VERY exclusive part of London so we saw some pretty fancy houses and parks.

Church on way to Craven Cottage

Police on horses - I don't think this is safe...

Happy lad :)

Woah!

Fulham!

Warming up!

Game selfie!

The last two days we have been hanging around Reading, catching up with my old workmates and hanging out with Annalisa and James. I showed Simon my old school and where I liked to hang out in Reading. It's been a great few days. Tonight the four of us are having a dinner here for Annalisa's 30th (her birthday is in Monday). I made a yummy dessert and also found some cool birthday bunting and a few other things to decorate with. She was made up when she walked in to see it.

Set for a party

They're cooking now and it smells delicious so I will love and leave you.

Two more sleeps until Santorini. Oh my, dreams do come true!