Playing catch up...

Finding the time & energy to write has been virtually impossible for the past few days but I seem to have a moment to myself now so let's see what I can get down.

Day Two

(Wow! I really am behind!)

We started day 2 in London very early (for us). We were up, showered, dressed and out of the hotel by 8:00am headed for the Tower of London on foot.

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We beat the crowds and walked straight in to see the Crown Jewels, then joined a Yeoman Warder's (Beefeater) guided tour and finally walked through the exhibitions of the White Tower.

Day Three

Cricket Time!!!
So this is what we are actually here for; to watch Australia waste its last chance to save face in this Ashes series.

Where to start?  First of all, the Oval is marvellously simple to get to from our hotel, although we do have to make one change on the Tube along the way (same line, so it's a very minor deviation).

Also, the Oval is a lovely ground. The Pavillion (which I assume is the member's end) is stunning. Our seats are only 8 rows back from the fence and although we're in full sun at the start of play, we're in shade by halfway through the second session. Lovely.

The first day of cricket filled all Aussies around the ground with hope...

Still exhausted from the flight, our trek to the Tower and day 1 of the cricket, we went to see Front Line Assembly at The Garage. Very good gig.

Day Four

More cricket
The second day at the cricket again was full of Australia's hope for saving face... until Michael Clark declared and the English batsmen came out to the pitch with absolutely no intention whatsoever to try to win the match... none. Zip. Zero. Nada.

If the Australian team did the same thing on day 2 of a test match, they would have think very carefully about coming home.

The disappointment of the cricket aside, that night we went out to dinner with Alice's brother (Tim) and his lovely wife (Sarah). We strolled along Charlotte St (based on local recommendations) and found an incredible Japanese restaurant called Nizuni. We all happy devoured some of the most amazing sushi & sashimi I've ever eaten, and none of us thought to take a picture of the platter before us until it was nearly all gone.  Sorry folks.  You'll just have to come to London and try it for yourselves. :)