Bargain away day

October 28, 2015

Bargain away day

No blog yesterday as we were away all day and had a terrific time.

We scored a bargain.

Nigel and I are great Loose Women fans. we are never home when it is on but record it and watch when we can. So I was thrilled when Nigel told me he had requested tickets for a filming of the show as a surprise. So we were off to London to see the show filmed live.

He then looked for train prices as driving into London these days is such an expense and so hard to park. Result! Due tot he Rugby there was a special deal on train fares. Instead of the £90 each peak time from Poole to Waterloo, we secured return tickets for £15 each. Ludicrously cheap. We couldn't go until 7.35am - the earliest train - and the first train home we could use was 7.35 pm but that worked well. We even parked in Poole near the station for free. The show tickets were free so we were set for a great day for £30.

The train ride up was lovely and relaxing and we walked from Waterloo to the studios in glorious sunshine. It was scheduled to be an unseasonable 20 degrees and sunny all day - and it was. T shirt weather at the end of October - awesome!

We had arrived early as seats are not guaranteed but we chatted happily to the other people in the queue and got in.

sadly this was the closest I got to Philip!

Obviously no photography inside - just this very sneaky one

The warm up guy was great, it was funny and some great topics discussed, we now like Kay Adams, who we didn't, and Eamonn Holmes and Ruth were entertaining guests

Great day out. .... but we were not done.

We walked back to Waterloo and then did the underground. I hate the underground and will rarely do it and only at quiet times. The Jubilee line is my least favourite as it is the newest and so deep. I get scared easily.

But we eventually resurfaced and went to look at the Harrods Christmas store we enjoy so much.

Itw as such a glorious afternoon we ambled round Hyde Park int eh very warm sunshine then made our way to the Hard Rock Cafe - our venue of choice whenever we are in London.

It is the first and original Hard Rock Cafe and the guitar over the bar - Eric Clapton's, is what started the collection off.

Our free and cheap stuff didn't stop there though. Nigel is a VIP Rewards holder for the Hard Rock which meant no wait in line for a table - we were straight to the front of the queue and in. He had also received a voucher for a free meal for his birthday as a rewards holder and they took my meal off the bill not his as mine was the more expensive. How kind was that!

We had a fabulous meal and then decided as it was a lovely evening and as I hate the underground that we would walk back to the station and see the sights. I don't remember, other than when I lived in London as a student for 4 years, seeing London at night. If we are there at night it is usually for the theatre not for sight-seeing.

Se we ambled round the Buckingham Palace area ,

and to Westminster

The photos are not the best as the were taken on the phone - but for poor light conditions it performed well. There is something special about your own capital city and being a tourist there.

We went back to the station and rested our weary feet, looking forward to sitting for the 2 hour train ride home. We had walked over 8 miles and were tired.

Sadly the train - not surprisingly - was jam packed and we didn't get a seat until Southampton! I sat on the floor.