During our stay in London we managed to squeeze in a number of attractions, including The London Dungeon, Harrods, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the London Eye and lots of window shopping. We didn't buy much because of the high prices, but had fun looking.
All of the above were wheelchair-friendly, and by this stage we were running on a flat tyre, but it did not slow us down!
The first day we walked from Rotherhithe to the London Eye following the Thames which was really nice, and had very few complaints from the offspring so it must have been vaguely interesting. From the Eye we caught a bus back to the hostel. The next day we did Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Harrods, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park before meeting a newly-discovered relative of mine from New Zealand, Amanda and her partner, Joe, for dinner somewhere in the financial district. Even though we had just met, it was as if we had known each other for years. It was fun comparing notes on our shared Maori ancestor, Miriam Potiki, and her Imperial Army Major, Joseph Greenwood. After a few wines and a nice meal we bid them adieu and caught a bus back to the hostel.
On the 14th we left Rotherhithe by train to pick up our rental car from London City Airport. The train was accessible, although we had to change lines a couple of times. There were lifts, luckily. One thing I omitted to point out was the fact that we travelled with three large backpacks and a bag on the wheelchair. That way the person pushing the wheelchair had hands free. It was much easier getting on and off public transport as well, although by the end of the holiday they were rather heavy!
All of the above were wheelchair-friendly, and by this stage we were running on a flat tyre, but it did not slow us down!
The first day we walked from Rotherhithe to the London Eye following the Thames which was really nice, and had very few complaints from the offspring so it must have been vaguely interesting. From the Eye we caught a bus back to the hostel. The next day we did Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Harrods, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park before meeting a newly-discovered relative of mine from New Zealand, Amanda and her partner, Joe, for dinner somewhere in the financial district. Even though we had just met, it was as if we had known each other for years. It was fun comparing notes on our shared Maori ancestor, Miriam Potiki, and her Imperial Army Major, Joseph Greenwood. After a few wines and a nice meal we bid them adieu and caught a bus back to the hostel.
On the 14th we left Rotherhithe by train to pick up our rental car from London City Airport. The train was accessible, although we had to change lines a couple of times. There were lifts, luckily. One thing I omitted to point out was the fact that we travelled with three large backpacks and a bag on the wheelchair. That way the person pushing the wheelchair had hands free. It was much easier getting on and off public transport as well, although by the end of the holiday they were rather heavy!
London City Airport, compared to Heathrow, is tiny, very clean and modern-looking. We did the paper-work and picked up our Skoda (diesel) in no time. We managed to fit all bags, people and wheelchair inside and headed off in the direction of Manchester. This was not immediate, however, as I was driving, and had trouble with indicators being on the opposite side, and London is not the easiest city to navigate through. After a couple of wrong turns we did end up in the right direction, on the M1.
Driving in England is definitely not a relaxing thing to do, especially not on the motorways; we were one of the slowest cars, even though our Skoda zapped along at 80 mph most of the time. As a result, when there is an accident it tends to be a big one and can hold traffic up for hours. Going to Manchester was relatively easy though, apart from having to watch out for crazy commuters.
We went to Manchester to see an old friend, Mary - old in age as well, being 80-something, but certainly not losing her mind in any way. She lived in a suburb not far from our motel, which was in Worsley. The motel was a Novotel, so quite modern, and the facilities were wheelchair friendly. Nearby was a lovely old pub, but not particularly accessible, so Richie stayed in the room and watched TV on the night we went up there. This was the time of the office parties and subsequently we were awakened in the wee hours by drunken renditions of Christmas carols.
While in the Manchester area we drove the half hour or so to Liverpool and went to the Beatles museum, something I have always wanted to do. There is a bell to ring for someone to come and operate the open lift, as the museum is downstairs. The lift is not an all-weather lift, and this day was the only day it rained on our whole trip! All survived. Once inside you are taken into the world of the Beatles and their lives since, and it cannot fail to impress, whatever your age. It's well worth a visit. The kids have an appreciation now of the importance of their music and the significance of events that have happened since, especially the senseless killing of John Lennon.
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