Southampton Day 3

View from hotel.  It's Celebrity Silhouette

On our second trip to Southampton we sailed on Celebrity Eclipse.  We stayed at this hotel and walked to our cruise ship.  Tomorrow we are sailing from Ocean Terminal.  It's not too far away but we've ordered a large taxi so all six of us can go together.

Tudor House

Southampton’s most important historic building, Tudor House reveals over 800 years of history in one fascinating location at the heart of the Old Town. The timber-framed building facing St Michael’s Square was built in the late 15th Century, with King John’s Palace, an adjacent Norman house accessible from Tudor House Garden, dating back a further 300 years. Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years, and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the family-friendly activities, interactive technology and fascinating displays a winning combination.

Cheryl and Dave left us at Heathrow and took the train into London.  They stayed at a hotel across the street from  Big Ben only to find it is covered by scaffolding.  They wanted to be central so they could walk everywhere.  They started at Buckingham Palace with the first tour of the day.  Great idea as there are a lot of tourists here and later would be busy.  Then off to the Tower of London.  The line for the Crown Jewels was over an hour long and in the sun.  They decided to return in the spring or fall.  My Government of Canada weather app said "London 31C, feels like 36C"!  They went to the Champagne Experience and for £15.00 they had a drink in the bar, skipped the line and got another glass on the Eye!  Dave said the Eye was air conditioned and the view was amazing.  They clocked 19,000 steps in the incredible heat.

They arrived today in Southampton at 12:45 after a train ride.  The train was overbooked and people were standing.  Not a good experience on British Rail!  They checked in to the hotel and we went to the pub for lunch.  Then off to the Pound Store where Cheryl stocked up on British Chocolate.

Tonight we had dinner with Jane, Graham and Keith.  We had dinner at our hotel as it was just easier all around.

I met Jane when she was eight years old!  She was my great aunt's goddaughter.  We've been friends ever since.  Graham is her husband and Keith is her dad.  Keith went to elementary school with my great aunt Audrey and his late wife Lily.  He was married to Lily for 57 years and Jane was their only child.  They all remained friends throughout the years.  His wife passed away a few years ago and he's just moved into assisted living accommodation.  He is 96 and was invited to Buckingham Palace last year after Jean and I got our invitation.  It was for the Not Forgotten Association.  He was enlisted in November 1941 and served in the Merchant Navy.

Cheryl, Jean, Dave, Cec, Graham, Keith and Jane
Lexie doesn't want her picture taken and I respected her wishes

Keith joked and said "I only got invited because there aren't too many left"!

In the Gardens at Buckingham Palace.  Princess Anne was the Queens representative.

 The best story of the night, Jane, Lily and Keith's neighbour was Len Goodman, Dancing with the Stars judge.  She told us of going to the same dancing school as Len and the reason he went to the school was the girls outnumbered the boys 10 to 1 and he was always a ladies man!  She remembers his cars and his many girlfriends.  He was a few years older but knew him quite well.

I really haven't slept much since I came.  If this blog has spelling errors or doesn't quite make sense, it could be the lack of sleep, but more likely the pints of beer!  Cheers!!!!!