Howells in a Castle

Monday 26th September 2016

Up at 7:30am & breakfast at 8:30am.

Weather remains fine although a little overcast. Predicted maximum of 20°.

We left the hotel left the hotel at 9:30am and walked to Lancaster Gate tube station where we topped up our oyster cards (electronic train tickets) and got tube to Waterloo Station where we boarded an above ground train for Hampton Court.

Arrived at Hampton Court about 11:00am and made the short walk to Hampton Court Palace.

Whilst we have been to the Palace on previous trips to London there were still a number of things we still needed to see.

After purchasing tickets for the Palace we set off to see the Privy Garden that boarders the Thames then onto the Pond Garden and the Great Vine that was planted in the 1700’s. As it had now started to rain we went inside to find some shelter. The rain lasted about 15 minutes and once it had stopped we headed out again to view the Rose Garden, Magic Garden and Royal Tennis Court where a game was in progress, which is very different to the modern game of tennis.

It was now well after 1:00pm so we had lunch in the Tiltyard café. Heather & Lynne then went back into the Chapel and Great Hall.

At 3:30pm we retraced our steps back to the station to make our way back to our hotel. Arrived back at the hotel about 5:00pm for a rest and a cuppa before getting changed (collar, tie and jacket required) for our evening out at the Ritz.

Lest the hotel at 6:30pm and caught the tube to Green Park and walked to Ritz where we had a 7:30pm afternoon tea sitting.

The Ritz is very grand and we had a fantastic time being served tea, finger sandwiches, cakes, scones with jam and clotted cream as well as pastries.

After managing to consume all but one macaroon we left the Ritz 9:00pm and got back to the hotel around 930:pm.

All in all another fantastic day in London and an excellent evening celebrating our wedding anniversaries, Heather & Michaels 38^th & our 40^th.