London Calling!

Day one:

*Disclaimer* I in no way fault Israel and their tough stance on security (just to let everyone know before I start!)

I woke up at 4am for my flight. It left at 8.40am, however, Israeli security at the airports is much worse when you leave. So you get a security rating from 1-6 before you even check in (this is from google searches so I could be wrong). I was asked how to pronounce my name, why I was in the country, if I had packed my bag and if I had studied the Hebrew alphabet. Apparently this deemed me at L5 - she told me she was worried I might be carrying a bomb for someone!?!?! (A) how did she come to this conclusion and B) I’m hoping it was her bad English).

I start freaking out and become quite stressed when taking my rucksack to oversized baggage as about 3-4 people start looking at it. This makes sense when I get it back in London.

Anyway next to security when I’m escorted to another line. Some stern people swab almost everything in my bag twice. Then I’m simply left to go to my gate ... maybe the cuteness of Gizmo put them off? I’ve heard other people asked 20 questions so not sure what happened there.

Getting to Istanbul I have my unopened water stolen from me! I went from one plane to another and they would not let me take it through Grrrr!!

I finally get to London and my passport won’t let me leave the automatic gate. After getting through I wait forever to get my bag. At this stage I’m terrified it was not put on the plane - I smell terrible at this stage so the last thing I need is to wear these clothes again.

Anyway back to the 3-4 people at the airport in Tel Aviv - I think they were simply trying to figure out what to do with the straps as each one was tied to the bag so it didn’t get stuck in the conveyer belt anywhere. *Edit - it was searched - found a note inside. I will say for them taking everything out they managed to get it back inside which I’m amazed by!

For the record every other flight it’s had a tag to say it was security searched when I get it back. I guess it’s because a rucksack = backpacking = drugs and free love?

Right now on the underground and I’m now looking forward to a shower and good night's sleep!

Day two:

I took a sleeping tablet last night so when I woke up I felt drowsy. I had to get up early as I had an appointment to see the painting of my great, great, great Grandfather Joseph Williams.

His portrait is held at Drapers Hall near the stock exchange. He was the master of the hall two times in the 1820s and 1830s which is apparently rare which is why there is a painting.

The archivist at the hall took me around and explained what the hall was all about. It started off as a guild and my great, great, great Grandfather joined as an apprentice in the late 1700s. Now the hall manages a number of charitable trusts and scholarships etc.

My family come through Joseph’s third son who spent his inheritance on parties. My great grandad was a member for a while but was not that involved and my Grandad didn’t join at all. Apparently other sides of the family (who come from his other two children and live in Australia) have also come to look at his painting. His portrait is the most popular in the hall with a lot of people coming to see him. I am now curious to meet these people as apparently some might have some things Joseph owned.

I then decided to keep to my painting theme and headed over to the Tate Museum. I was able to see my favourite painting of all time - The Lady of Shalot by JW Waterhouse. Plus there were some amazing Turner paintings.

Day three:

Today I headed to the Tower of London. I had been there before on my first trip to London so I was overdue to re-visit. Unfortunately the UK is going through a heatwave so it was hot and humid. Luckily I had pre-purchased my ticket so didn’t have to wait in line (plus saved around £8).

I headed to the White Tower first as they have all of the armour from various kings and queens throughout the centuries.

Afterwards I went to check out the Ravens. I only saw a few and was slightly disappointed as I remember a lot more last time I visited. However, chatting to a guide apparently they only ever have up to nine birds and currently have seven one of which is a baby so not outside yet.

All have different personalities and places to hang out, many are bonded pairs so only like to stick together. It was quite funny to see signs saying no selfies as a few times people have got to close and been bitten. One raven in particular likes a lot of attention and often plays dead.

I then spent at least 40 minutes in line to see the Crown Jewels. The line was going quickly as once you get to the jewles you are on a moving walkway. However, the line inside went on for what felt like forever. It was nice to see them and they were so shiny. Unfortunately I was not allowed to take pictures.

Day four:

Today I was supposed to go to the Museum of London and St Paul’s Cathedral (my great grandad and great uncle on my Grandma’s side worked there).

However, I was just so tired I could not motivate myself to get up. So instead I spent the day sleeping then reading a new book.

Day five:

I had to get up early today as I had booked a Call the Midwife tour at the Historic Dockyard at Chatham for 11am. I underestimated the amount of time I needed to get to Victoria station and only just got a train to get there on time.

Chatham was around an hour outside of London near Kent (I took the cheaper / slower train). I managed to get there with time on my hands to have a look at some of the ships. The Dockyard is huge and would take more then a day to look through it all.

The tour started with a woman who was a bit strange. She told us from the start she would not answer questions until the end. It was amazing to see where all the outdoor scenes are filmed and how original the area looked for the time it is set.

The biggest surprise was a special area with props from the show on display. Not only was their costumes but also the chair which Sister Monica Joan sits in and the table they eat dinner amongst other things.

The tour was amazing with my only annoyance being that the woman running the tour kept saying there were 10 seasons (we have just seen season 7). Plus when showing a location and referring to an episode which often she got the storyline wrong. Anyway still worth visiting and one of the highlights of my trip.

I then found that they were having a LEGO Bricks through history exhibition. It was amazing! I wish I was talented to make my own creations - I’m better at collecting them and following instructions on how to put them together.

Day six:

Today I went to Windsor Castle. Again being from a small country I forgot how busy things could be. As I had pre purchased my ticket and didn’t have a time allocated I decided to turn up when I was ready. I got to the train station and didn’t realise the castle was almost next door.

Getting out I find a huge line - going around the street. You would think buying a ticket in advance would help. Which it did to some extent except that I was made to stay in line for 20 minutes in the heat before I could exchange it. Apparently the line was 1.5 hours so can’t complain too much. However, it then took an hour to get through picking up the ticket then getting through security.

Once inside it was great to look around the area and inside the royal residence. Again like Sandringham I was not allowed to take pictures inside. It was quite grand and pretty, however, I felt Sandringham was more peaceful and homely.

There was also a Queen Mary’s doll house to look around but it is off display being renovated until October.

Day seven:

I was woken up around 5am today by loud pre-teens. I eventually got up and told them to shut up. What got me was that when asked where their teacher was they didn’t know.

After getting a bit more sleep I was going to visit the Museum of London, however I got sidetracked with shopping.

Both the LEGO store and Hamleys have exclusive minifigures. I have to say this has to be the best LEGO store I’ve visited. The displays were amazing and very fitting to the theme.

After spending a bit too much money I headed over to H&M then Primark to buy some clothes for my nephew. Now in my defence there are so many cute things to buy and I can’t help myself. He should be sorted at least for the next year.

I then headed back to my hostel to do some washing and repacking my bags again. Not sure how it happened but my bags are just as full as they were before I sent a box to my aunts house a few days ago.