Day 45: London

The day started with mad packing to get out of the apartment by 10 AM.  That was so never going to happen.  There was stuff everywhere and I felt overwhelmed and hung over yet again.  After being such a suitcase Nazi for the entire trip, I had let things get out of control in London and this morning I was paying for it.  There was stuff everywhere and I wasn't coping to say the least.  Three hours later, we were finally at Nottinghill Markets on Portobello Road and I was feeling rather exhausted.  There were people everywhere but the sun was shining and we were keen to enjoy our last day of summer (even if was only 24 degrees) and forget the trauma of the morning.  First stop, a falafel joint which proved to be the most memorable food moment of my entire trip, complete with strips of fried eggplant and mint.  The only downside was that I had to share it with Rick.  We walked for a few hours and enjoyed the food stalls more than anything.  Funny that.  The thought of braving the crowds inside shops was just all too much for everyone.  The kids had a smoothie inside a pineapple cup.  Zachie had some olives.  Max ate more sushi.  And Scarlett enjoyed a hamburger made by a funky African English lady who made us laugh and took a particular liking to Zachary Quack from "down under".  On to Chelsea to the food markets along Kings Street via another fabulous bus ride. These markets were a little more upmarket and more like a food and wine festival.  It was lovely and Rick enjoyed a slow roasted duck roll while the kids had coconut milk from a fresh coconut. Zachie claimed the coconut pretty quickly and cruised along Kings Road in his green shades with a straw and umbrella poking out the top, looking very cool to many who passed by. We walked along Kings Road for a good while and then jumped on the bus to Kensington Palace. It was lovely and the gardens were very pretty.  What a splendid place to kill time.  Next time I will treat myself to high tea and a bottle of bubbles in the gardens.   Sadly it was a bit too cold for my liking so we didn't hang around for too long.  The kids had a ride on the merry go round and ate an icecream as we walked around.  It was beautiful and I was hoping for a private viewing of Princess Charlotte but she was nowhere to be seen.  Back on the tube to Fulham to see Ricks old house that he shared with Vic DeBortoli. Sadly it was time to get back to the apartment to collect our goodies and head to the airport.  We caught the tube to the international airport and the train was packed.  It took about 40 minutes and was all very seamless. The English certainly do transport very well.  We were so bloody organised for a change that I think we were the first to check in.  On to the American Airlines Lounge which is affiliated with Qantas to fill in a few hours. The kids were happy scoffing the free food as was Rick with the booze.  I had a long shower to kill time and felt somewhat mentally prepared for the voyage ahead.  We left at 9.35 pm and so began 24 hours of no sleep. Sadly I had the unfortunate pleasure of sitting next to Zachary, which quickly proved a bad move.  He only slept for 3 hours the entire way and was bouncing on sugar for the rest of it.  5 movies later, I was square eyed and pretty cranky from the constant interruptions and questions from the Quack.