Day 3
Everyone was tired and slow to move this morning so I changed some plans around and decided we would go to St. Pauls Cathedral for the morning. Tubed it over there quick smart and was again impressed with how easy it is to use.
Walking up towards the side of St. Pauls Cathedral and seeing that impressive dome was wonderful. It is such an amazing building and I can see why so many people flock here every year to catch a glimpse. I was super sad to see you werent allowed to take photos inside because it really was breathtaking. We did the audio tour which with a family of 5 is always a comedy of errors because everyones tour is out of time with the next person and you end up doing more waiting around than touring lol. Sitting on pews under that unbelievable dome certainly is very humbling. I didnt realise there are 2 domes in fact. The amazing paintings on the ceiling and tile work were something I have never seen before and doubt whether I will again, stunning. Im still growling about not being able to take photos, you will just have to use google images to see what I mean if you havent been there.
Stupidly I suggested climbing to the whispering gallery. Well when I say climbing I felt sure we would jump in a lift but apparently that is only for the infirm. I thought about hunching my back and dragging my leg along behind me like a club foot but got the big old frown from DH so climb the stairs it was to be. Let me tell you, 259 stairs may not seem like alot but boy oh boy it was!!!!! I thought there was potential for a major heart attack or at the very least a mini stroke on the way up. I was envisaging how it would be possible for the ambulance folk to get a stretcher up to carry me down and all sorts of helicoptering me out through the dome scenarios as I dragged my sorry butt up those stairs.
Finally we were up the top and my chest was heaving so much I had to sit for a full 5 minutes just to feel normal again. Then DD suggested climbing the remaining 100 or so stairs, right up into the top of the dome but her suggestion was met with us all throwing daggers her way. I was thrilled we were all on the same page about that sorry idea. We tried to do the whispering across to each other but alas, no whispers could be heard. I did hear some other peoples. DH of course took the whole thing too far and was whispering things like Im coming to get you and I will kill you in your sleep. I wonder if that is why that little girl ran shrieking out of the whispering gallery????? Perhaps she was the unlucky recipient of his whispers hahaha.
The climb down was easier but my legs were so jelly like by then it all seemed like hard hard work. We decided to tube it across town to the original Hard Rock Cafe. It was opened in 1971 and the story goes that Eric Clapton liked the place so much he asked the owner if he could put up a plaque over his favourite table so that whenever he came in he could sit there. The owner joke how about you send me one of your guitars and Ill put that up on the wall. The next day a guitar arrived and they put it up on the wall as a laugh. About a week later another guitar arrived, this time from Pete Townsend of the Who with a note that said mines as good as his, love Pete and after that the guitars kept on coming and an amazing icon was born.
It was a lovely old place, very very rock and roll, same food as all the others and great service. There was also a gift shop attached next door and our waitress mentioned a rock museum or something of that nature that was free so over we wandered only to find that there Vaultas it was called appeared to be closed which was a shame. I thought it wouldnt hurt to ask about it so approached the cool rocker dude at the front door and asked if it would be opening. He said that it was closed and not open for just anyone to view these days but he said to hang on a minute and he would discuss with his boss. We waited around for a sec and then he came bouncing back all excited because he was allowed to take us down to the Vault. So here we were, trudging downstairs under the store, entering what used to be an old bank vault, being given a private tour of this little rock museum called the Vault. There were some seriously cool items down there, none of which were behind glass which freaked me out especially when DS knocked a guitar over. Yes, you heard me, he knocked a guitar over. I thought I might die right there on the spot but fortunately it wasnt a famous one, it was one that belonged to the guy showing us around hahaha. Whew, I was worried about that bill arriving. The most valuable thing in the place were some handwritten John Lennon lyrics that were valued at around $250k. The whole experience was rather special and cool and we felt super blessed to get to take a look through. Another example of it always pays to ask.
After this brush with famous stuff we decided to walk to Harrods so we could check out where the rich people shop. By this time DH and DSs heart wasnt it in but we dragged them along, which was our first mistake haha. Let me tell you, they have alot of handbags at Harrods. I doubt whether any store in the world has so many. We found it hard to get away from the damn things, even changing floors only to find, yep you guessed it more handbags. Now I like handbags alot but even I was thinking, enough already. We did eventually find the cool food halls and we all really enjoyed having a wander through there. The food looked beautiful with an extra special mention having to go out to the meat section, wowsers.
The only reason I really wanted to go here was to buy the famous green Harrods bag hahaha but in the end I preferred a cooler hessian kind of bag so went with that instead. So youll see me soon striding around Canberra with my pretentious Harrods bag on my arm and you will compliment do you hear.
Pretty soon the boys were bored with it all so they headed home while MIL and I followed DD around Top Shop and a few other places, essentially we were just bag carriers and credit card carriers for the diva shopper lol. She wore me down and we got a few things but I wasnt really feeling the Top Shop style I have to say. Mixed coloured patterns everywhere, it goes against all of my design sensibilities hahaha.
We learned on our cab tour yesterday about some apartments near Harrods that back onto Hyde Park where the penthouse sold last year for wait for it, $140mill. For a penthouse, wowsers. Actually we have been stunned at the cost of property here but to be fair the area our flat is in is apparently considered quite a good area. Most of the flats would be in the millions and judging by what we are seeing in the real estate agent windows along the main streets near us I havent seen anything for under 1.5 and thats a 1 bedder and the dearest Ive seen is $19mill. Seriously, who are the people that can afford this??? I know we are only a stones throw from where Kate and Wills live but seriously, the extreme wealth that exists outside of my little suburban bubble is mind boggling.
The penthouse at the top of this building is the one I was talking about
Once home we had a homemade chicken carbonara in the flat and an early night again.
Highs amazing St. Pauls, the Vault at Hard Rock
Lows no photos inside St. Pauls
Temperature high 5, low -1
I agree that it is really cruel to have to walk through the top end of the plane on the way to our own just barely adequate seats. Actually I thought the cruellest of the lot was on my BA flight when I passed the business section and thought 'wow they have a really nice economy section!'. Then got to my section and realised I'd been walking through premium economy...
Yay !! 
sounds like your are having a great time. 
at the price
.
