Monday, 17 June 2013

Chipmunks, Palace and a Bomb?

I awoke this morning, opened the curtains and looked out the window.  There was London - and there was also a suspicious looking black box across the road on the footpath.  I called Terry over - thinking I was getting paranoid - 'WTF is that?'  He looked at me and said, 'Surely it couldn't be' - surely it couldn't be a bomb! People were walking by looking at the black box - having a good look, scratching their heads and stepping away.   No one seemed to be doing anything.  Terry decided to go down to reception and ask them what it was - they didn't know and started to freak out - then the head of security said, 'don't worry, if it's a bomb, it's across the road, it's their worry.' His next move was to turn around and run and say, 'why don't you go and inspect it'.  Terry went over - why oh why - and reported back it was a large black battery.  Ten minutes later the security guy walked out to the 'bomb' aka car battery (why would someone leave this in the middle of a busy street?) He picked it up and moved it to the other side of the road.   We couldn't believe their flippant attitude - or are we paranoid tourists?  Check out the photo below and decide.

We then spent the day checking out the streets around the hotel.  Oxford Street - check.  Supermarket - check.  Laundromat - check.  Everything we need is a couple of minutes walk away - couldn't be more central.

Then we walked across the road to Hyde park to go chipmunk hunting - the kids were so excited.  Found a family of friendly chipmunks that the boys hand fed with peanuts.  Highlight of there trip so far!

We then continued walking to Buckingham Palace - the flag was at full mast which meant Queen Elizabeth was there!

Then I went to the laundromat to finally do some washing - well, the things you hear at the laundromat!  The lady who ran it was initially a bit short with me when i got there - seems like she'd had a crappy day.  Then a rude man came in and was trying to get discounts and pick up his clothes earlier - she'd clearly had enough.  When he left i looked at her and rolled my eyes - from then on she was my friend, it was like I had given her an invitation to let fly - she rambled on and on for at least 15 minutes and I can't be sure of everything she said but there was plenty of 'Fork this and fork that'.  For once i was speechless.

Met up with Mum & Phil tonight and headed back to the 'Spaghetti Place' - great food and right across the road - great food and already 2kg heavier.  Oh dear.....




Does this look suspicious to you?



The head of security stashing the 'bomb' on the other side of the road


Chipmunk hunting



Will stalking the chipmunk....



until it turned around and stalked him!


James thrilled to be feeding a chipmunk



Waiting....


What is this chipmunk doing to my leg?






Buckingham Palace



6 comments:

  1. Loving this! Can't believe you guys are in London! PS crack up about the whole bomb thing - trust it to happen to you! xxxx

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  2. That's what we said Ren! Terry looked at me and said, 'surely I can't be so unlucky!' Didn't kill a chinaman after all! xxxx

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  3. Well I would just like to say that there is no one better equipped to dismantle a bomb as Terry ( I sent a firecracker up my pants ) Marlborough !

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  4. Yes Rainee - Always one to hunt down danger!! xxx

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  5. Crapola a bit of a worry. I'd be paranoid to, not as much as you though

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  6. The chipmunks are sooo cute!!!
    I would of been freaking about the bomb too!!
    Don't worry about the weight, enjoy this trip of a lifetime!!

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