Back to Sunday shopping in Ox St

The House of Fraser at 318 Oxford Street. Mother and daughter linen shopping London West End

Then we were back on the street and a lot of retailers were into the Shakespeare theme

Lunch time and Jeantine thought we should try Forest on the Roof at Selfridges. This is the entrance corridor from the lift at Selfridges & Co. at 398 Oxford Street. We got to the booking station and a couple ahead of us were being told it would be some wait and they opted to leave. While pondering whether we ought to wait, some people came out of the restaurant and the maitre d' announced there was now a table available

It was certainly quite busy up there and we were placed near a waiter work station

Wake - Celebration Day for Nicholas Glossop

Going out of chronological sequence to acknowledge the Wake / celebration for Nicholas Glossop, Sun Oct 23, 2016
Attention all friends of my dad, Nicholas. We are hosting an Irish wake/celebration of life at the Almanac on Whyte Ave on October 23 at 7PM. We will have a memorial book, please be prepared to share your stories and photos. Expect loud music, big laughs, and my mum crying in the corner. Come share your love.

All the best to Sandi, Eva and Maeve in their celebration of memories. Sandi & Nick were so good to us from when Judy & Larry dropped us off after our day going from Shauna & Rick's up to Mannville to find the Humphrey homestead. Sandi & Nick held their dogs back to let them in one at a time to join us in the lounge. (I ended up sharing the couch with one head on my lap. Next morning I was growled at - not sure why, perhaps I didn't get up early enough.

The house Sandi & Nick lived in (Queen Alexandra - Edmonton according to my iPhone location ID) had history, some 100 years old (Built 1913 I think). Barb can be seen loading up the car before heading to Jasper.
When we had trouble getting a train from Edmonton to Jasper (passenger trains do run but freight had priority, so it is difficult to plan a tight schedule) Sandi suggested we drive but with my limit of two hours before needing a coffee AND driving on the right, we resisted that and took the offer of Sandi and Nick driving us to Jasper (to link up with Glenda who would take us to Prince George). Being a passenger meant I could appreciate the scenery more - and although the not quite the wide open spaces around Calgary and up to Edmonton, it still struck me as 'Big Country - Big Skies.

Clearwater County says the iPhone location marker for this photo and when we stopped for a break we were then in Banff National Park.

Inside the souvenir store looking out and seeing Sandi & Nick waiting for us to be done.

Nick & Sandi up by the Athabasca forefield trail - and Barb seen below in her distinctive blue coat. It was a freezing wind up there. Then finally we made it to Jasper. Sandi & Nick were staying the night and then driving down to White Rock, Vancouver to see how her mother was - after having a fall damaging her glasses. Lydia turned out to be OK, just needing new glasses - but for Nick & Sandi that was going to be one big drive down the Fraser.

Last night at Earls, across from the Athabasca Hotel where we were staying.
While Sandi & Nick were having their big drive south, Barb & I had a leisurely wander around Jasper waiting for cousin Glenda to turn up from Prince George

After a few days with my cousin Glenda, September 2nd, Barb & I were getting on a West Jet Bombardier plane at Prince George to fly to Vancouver - to be met by:- Sandi & Nick and then driven out to White Rock to stay with Sandi's Mom & Dad. Wasn't that great for us - such service, so much appreciated. Then it was a walk along the pier at White Rock with Lydia, Sandi & Nick - and White Rock's famous Fish & Chips for dinner back at the house.

Next morning we were going through the family history that Lydia had done, with Ken busily trying to find where various documents were stored and with Sandi's help I was trying Tiny Scanner. Later that day Sandi & Nick were back in their car heading home to Edmonton and the following day we were flying back home to New Zealand.

Then September 26, we get a message from Eva ... "Nick passed away on Friday. He really really loved meeting you." What a blow that was, we had only recently been enjoying his company, I enjoyed being corrected on my history and liked Nick's English sense of humour. On a message from Sandi Sep 22nd ... It was a joy to spend those couple of days with you! I love you both! September 22 Nicholas Glossop had added ... 9/22, 3:54am I'll cosign that message.
As Barb said in a message back to Eva We feel a bit helpless being so far away Thinking of you all and wishing we could just be with you big hugs love barb xxxxx

"I'll never complain about Sunday shopping again" - from the Oxford Street experience

Sunday 10 July - starting out in Islington and heading to Oxford Street

Jeantine was taking us to Oxford Street, via bus, which, when you sit upstairs you can get a reasonable view of where you are going. So long as you haven't lost your upward agility for negotiating the stairs - especially when the bus is moving and you are doing a little swaying - which is where the handrails are useful. But at the top of the stairs you may have to do 180° and make your way to the best seat option you can work out while rocking and rolling.

The buses all lined up trying to make their way, along Oxford Street. Note the banner flags across the street Ox St.

Introduction to the stairs at Angel, Islington

The taxi had to double park with the restrictions outside the entrance to Jeantine's flat. Behind the red door was a steep set of stairs that doubled back on the themselves to get to the second floor. Not easy carrying up the suitcases but, we made it (and repeated the process a few times later)

Bringing the suitcases down again - for the final time in this photo (19 Aug 2016).

Then once in the flat, it was up another set of stairs (on the far side, past the kitchen) up to Jeantine's room, which opened out to part of the roof with a parapet to lean over to see the street below.

This was the view away from the street, with adjacent buildings being renovated

In the sky and aircraft on approach to Heathrow, catching the setting sun - and glimpses of the Gerkhin building

And some familiar characters that I have seen on the Tongariro Crossing and other places. Halfway point on the stairs from the kitchen living area to Jeantine's room above

Singapore to London 09 Jul 16

Wearily catching a spell after having got through Security. Then it was onto the boarding area and we found Jeantine's idea of getting at the front of queue to be one of the first on board doesn't work as the staff load Premium and Business Class before then inviting those with children and then sorting the boarding a bit like various tables being invited up to the smorgasbord. Finally headed to Seat 32J on Flight SQ 318. Was it Boeing 777 as it was 3 - 4 - 3 across. We had the aisle and middle seat on the starboard side.

After we found our seat, a young man queried our seating as we had his window seat. Then he said he would be OK with the aisle seat. Just as well for us as he was quite restless, jiggling round, getting up and down, so that saved him climbing over us. As he got up so often I, beside him in the middle seat, just waited for when he was up and escaped for toilet visits or stretching. The downside was he was quite sniffly and I ended up with a chest cold for the first couple of weeks in in London

A combo display from catching the cross fade - at 7830 ft

5959 ft

Heathrow Security awaits - 'No Photos' a sign said, so a sneaky shot. Then after baggage claim there was Jeantine - who took us out to the carpark looking for the taxi she had organised. Finally the travel weary duo were in Islington London.