UK Trip (21 March - 1 April 2019) : Day 5 - Manchester to London

8.30 am at Manchester Coach Station waiting for our 7.40 am bus to London. Looks like it is common all over the world for buses to run late! We had pre-booked our tickets online @ GBP 5.75 per passenger, 7.40 am to 1.30 pm, Manchester to London

The bus made a 30 minutes stop at Hanley Bus Station, Stoke on Trent around 11 pm before a short toilet stop at Norton Coach Park, Norton Cannes 

Hanley Bus Station, Stoke on Trent 

Hanley Bus Station, Stoke on Trent 

Hanley Bus Station, Stoke on Trent 

Hanley Bus Station, Stoke on Trent 

Back on the bus @ Hanley Bus Station, Stoke on Trent 

Always take a photo of the bus number in case you hop on the wrong bus later on

Clean and orderly bus station

There's a toilet at the back of the bus for emergencies but with so many passengers, we prefer to hold!

All eyes are on you!

Victoria Coach Station, London @ 2.47 pm

Boss checking the route on his handphone

Victoria Coach Station exit to Elizabeth St

All ready to go

All ready to go

Tea at Sapori's, Wilton Road @ 3.30 pm

Relieved that we only need to cycle 500 m to sustenance and home is an additional 200 m away !

So who is Sapori? Amazed by the oven!

Few customers so late in the afternoon

Burgers

Half roasts

Large pizza

Sainsbury's, Wilton Road became our favourite haunt in the next few days though there were smaller outlets nearer to our stay

Living room with 2 sofa beds

Kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine equals kindness to the hands!

Microwave and Oven for a full cookout!

Dining

This is why travelling with Bromptons are so convenient. Don't have to pay extra for bike on bus as well!

Queen bed in Master bedroom only means the Queen rules which is rightly in the United Kingdom!

Maximize the use of space, doorway to the bathroom

Bath tub

Extra space for storage in the bathroom

The toilet window opens to street level as the unit is actually a basement unit

Common bathroom near to the entrance

Stylish Apartments in Victoria & Westminister 

School children playing in the fields, Westminster School

St Stephen's Church on Rochester Row, opened in 1850 was built based on 14th century design of ragstone and sandstone. It was paid entirely by Angela Burdett Coutts, in memory of her father Sir Francis Burdett. Rochester Row was built in 1677 as a "main road across the fields" meaning there were no major development alongside it and remaining so for 100 years.  

Grey Coat Hospital is a school established in 1698 with the initial purpose to educate 40 of the Greatest Objects of Charity ie orphans and neglected children

One of the greatest icons of London

London Eye in the background

Bike rentals in London

Central Hall Westminister, Storey's Gate built in 1912 is an event hall for rent

Westminster Abbey

Westminter Abbey from 1269 is built on the site of St Peter's Cathedral from 1065. St Peter's Cathedral was fondly referred to as Westminster to distinguish it from St Paul's Cathedral that was called East-Minster 

Westminster Abbey has been the site for coronations since 1066. Beside being a burial site for royals, it has also hosted 16 royal weddings; most recent being Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011

Palace of Westminster seats the UK government's House of Lords and House of Commons. The original building was destroyed in 1834 by fire and rebuilt between 1840 to 1876

Big Ben getting a refurbishment when we were visiting

Note how bikes are locked to prevent theft

Government Offices at Horse Guards Road. Churchill War Rooms are located on this wing 

Duck Island Cottage built in Swiss Chalet design in 1841 was the home of the bird keeper at St James Park

Walking path at St James Park

Ducks at St James Park

Tame

Household Cavalry Museum

Old Admiralty Building in red 

Friendly squirrels that will eat off your hands at St James Park

Sunset at St James Park Lane

The Mall

The statue of Edward VII, Rex Imperator at Waterloo; King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 1901 to 1910

Pinarello @ Regent Street

Smeg @ Regent Street

Assos of Switzerland @ Regent Street

Piccadilly

Piccadilly Circus with a glimpse of Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. Fondly known as Eros, thanks to the winged statue of Anteros, God of Selfless Love in Greek mythlogy, it was built in memory of the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. He was better known as a politician and philanthropist who replaces child labour with school education.

More on Piccadilly Circus

Pepe Jeans Norton Clothing, Beak Street

Marshall St

Drop Dead Store Soho, Marshall St, London 

Mum trying to figure the hype 

The Mecca of clothing which saw long queues outside the London store

This store is now crippled by Covid 19, returning to online sales

Rapha London Soho, Brewer St

Rapha Custom Jersey was launched in March 2019. ACN started talking about team jersey and eventually started a group discussion on April 21. On Oct 5, chief designer Frankie finally received the orders. Delivery Order stated 15 pcs to which 15 pcs were received. Only problem was we ordered and paid for 16 pcs !!! Orders were for 6 blue jerseys for men and 10 red jerseys for women! Missing piece was an XXS for Claudine. Claudine finally received hers' just on time for Onion Power, Kerala Ride Tour. Unfortunately, the stitching came out only after 2 washes,in India! A replacement was made for her and Maggie. Each jersey costs RM670 per piece after conversion.

Sunset at St James Park

Nationwide Coach 

Manchester Coach Station to London Victoria Coach Station

7.40 am - 13.30 : GBP 28.75 (National Express ; E Ticket  : EUCE5605)

Stylish Apartments in Victoria & Westminister RM2303 for 3 nights

(Standard Apartment, 1 double bed, 2 sofa bed, max 5 guests)

Add : Udall St

Tel : +44 7877 359103

Booking.com