Getting ready for another cruising season

We landed in London yesterday, after a brief stopover in the USA for a little shopping in Vegas and a little entertainment. This photo was taken in downtown Vegas or the older part, under the giant video screen that forms the roof of the mall and runs for two city blocks. Had a walk around, not too much had changed since last year, but we enjoyed the music and colour of Freemont Street then headed into the Freemont Casino for a steak and seafood dinner. As usual, we stayed much further along the strip, this time at the Flamingo Hotel.


It was certainly brisk as we stepped off the jet for the long trek to Customs. Melbourne was still quite warm when we left and the Las Vegas weather was excellent as well so this was an awaking for us. Although, in anticipation I had already rung ahead and asked the engineer to service Serafina's diesel heater as well as the engine in expectation of a few weeks of acclimatisation.

We have a few days here in London so that our daughter and her family can see a few of the tourist sights, it's been quite a few years since they have been over to the UK. Our eldest granddaughter, who's 4 years old, has a few points of interest that must be hit, Paddington Station (she loves Paddington Bear) and London Bridge. I did tell my wife we would need to stay in the USA for the original bridge but she advised (kicked) me that Tower Bridge would suffice.


I managed to slip in a tour myself this afternoon after everyone got back and wasn't moving again. We plan to head south once we get back on-board Serafina and eventually spend a few days or more in Little Venice. Since we are staying just a few miles from there, on Euston Road, I walked across to the tube station and went the five stops to do my 'recce'.

Turns out there was a waterside fair along the canal, lots of boats, lots of food and lots of people. Hope Little Venice isn't as full when we get there, not a mooring to be had!

There were a few things that needed organising which Rachael and I took care of yesterday. We headed over to a Carphone Warehouse nearby to take care of these priorities, a UK phone number and mobile broadband access. (For the Aussies, there was not a carphone insight at the Carphone Warehouse, I guess a hangover from the early days of mobile phones.) 

Another big day of sightseeing tomorrow, a few more days in London and we head off to France by train, for three days at Disneyland.