Saturday evening, 06-04-24

Hello, everyone.   

On the coach into London yesterday, I was sat next to a lady around my age, maybe a little older, called Pamela.  She was very pleasant and the more we talked, the more we realised that we had a number of mutual friends.   My friend, Val, for a start, and an ex colleague who also happened to be on the same trip.  And her grandchildren went to my' school although after my time.

We spent the morning at the Battersea Power Station.  

By the time we got there just before ten, the rain had stopped and she sun was shining.My ticket for lift 109 was at 10:50 so I had a good wander around beforehand.  

Here's the Wiki page for the station.  Worth a read; it has an interesting history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battersea_Power_Station

As well as the lift experience and the shops, there are apartments and, I believe, a hotel.  With all the surrounding developments, it's a pretty posh place to live - must cost an absolute fortune!
I'd have loved to stroll around the area a bit but there was no time.

There were three levels of shops (I think it was three) and the basic 'shell' of the power station had been retained so it was all very massive in feel.

The shops were pretty posh.  Clothes, jewellery, all sorts of 'nick-nack stuff, not a Poundland or Primark in sight.  It was fun to look in the windows but there were very few shoppers and I wasn't tempted in the least bit.

There were several info-boards scattered around which were interesting and some 'experience' rooms that needed booking and paying for so I didn't.

There were various games, climby things and activity rooms for children, some of which looked really good.

They kept a lot of the original structure showing, unadorned.  It was all very industrial and sort of steampunk-ish.

When it was time for the lift experience, we had to go through security before waiting in an area for the previous group to come back down. 

There were more info boards and displays to look at and read while we were waiting and even a little bar in one corner.

Of course, there were 'photo opportunities' - in other words, have one taken and pay for it.  I didn't!

Then we went into a room for a sort of sound and light experience with music - an 'interactive multimedia experience.  It was really impressive but quite short.

This was taken while we were going up to the top.  it was all very smooth and slick and exciting as the light at the top got bigger and brighter.

And then we were there.  The lift was the top as well, we didn't have to step out onto any kind of 'balcony' and it all felt very safe and secure.  

The next photos were taken through the glass sides so apologies for shadows, reflections and marks.

Spot the famous landmarks.

And just look at the roof gardens in this one.  Trees, swimming pools, gardens . . . it looked absolutely fantastic!

Then we set off for the Royal Albert Hall.

Our guide, Maria.  She was very, very good and extremely proud of the place.  The hour passed in a flash.  Again, here's a link to some history.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Hall

It's a very lavish and luxurious place, absolutely huge, and it's been home to many different events - ice skating, water garden for opera (they flooded the centre of the hall), tennis competitions, a marathon (they just went round and round) and concerts of all sorts including the world famous Promenade Concerts.  

Yesterday, it was set up for a blues/jazz/rock thing.

We saw the Royal Box and went into the room where royalty goes in the intervals for drinks and a chance to relax.  Not as posh as you might think but we weren't allowed to sit in the chairs.    Shame!

One of the original gas lights, now electric, of course.

I had to take a photo of the Albert Memorial, didn't I.

There was one hiccup.  The day before, the Hall contacted Ray and Jan to say they could no longer provide us with an afternoon tea.  Very short notice and we were not impressed.

After phoning around, they found a place that they have used before, Kennedy's, who were happy to accommodate a group of 52 for fish and chips with one day's notice.

https://www.kennedyslondon.co.uk/about/

It was lovely.  Such friendly staff, not at all fazed by so many people descending on them and filling the place, the food was fresh cooked and delicious, not huge portions so absolutely prefect.  They were licenced so some of the group shared bottles (we didn't!!).
They gave us fish and chips or chicken and chips, cheesecake or apple pie and a very nice mug of coffee or tea.  I reckon it was better, much better, than an afternoon tea.

And then we set off home and were back at the community centre just after six o'clock.  
I was shattered and I've been sleepy today too.   Not too sleepy to enjoy a walk with some Slimming World friends this morning, mind you.

Tomorrow is a quiet day with nothing in the diary.  I'll probably go out for a walk, weather permitting, and I want to devote time each day in the coming week to sorting out the garden so the weather had better play ball.

Oh, and the mystery of the gas credit has been solved.  As I knew, I was in no way that much in credit.  It is all as it should be, I have a smaller buffer of credit than in January but the heavy use time is over now so that should build up again over the summer.
I am relieved, to be honest.  I'd have really worried if I'd been that much in credit - worried about why!

Yesterday was lovely and now I have about nine days before the next jolly, to Center Parcs.  I'm looking forward to that very much indeed.

Good night, everyone.  Have a great evening and sleepwell.  xx