Buckingham Palace
Holiday in
London
Text & Photos by Syd & June Burns
© 2006
Syd & June Burns, who have shared so many of their travels with Global Access News, share their week in London, England.
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| Syd & June Burns at Buckingham Palace |
Monday, 17 April / Friday 22 April 2006
Being Easter, the organisation for the train trip was fraught with difficulties.
We were travelling Virgin Rail and they have
a superb Customer Service hot line that deals with people with disabilities.
Trying for several weeks to no avail to get a seat on the train, because of
track maintenance, we finally were told to turn up half an hour before the 9 am
train was due and all would be well.
The train we originally were due to travel on was cancelled. We met up with Ian,
Sheena and Alex and the train was spot on time. Customer Service where there,
the ramp was laid out and we travelled first class. Slowly ever so slowly we
edged toward Manchester. Arriving, the wheelchair was off loaded with great
efficiency and humour, June was pushed to the train that was taking us to
London. Sufficient to say that the train took twice as long as normal to arrive
at Euston Station. Being directed and helped
all along the way to a black cab that was wheelchair friendly complete with
ramp.
Arriving at the Union Jack Club which is a service mans hotel we were met by
security who transferred June to a stair lift that whisked her inside. We were
given flat B which was on the 8th floor of 17. We were amazed at the luxury for
the price we paid. Three bedrooms, sitting room, 2 bath rooms and a kitchen with
every appliance known to man. And a view to kill for. Overlooking St Paul's. Â
All the public rooms were wheelchair friendly in all respects. The down side was
that facilities for the disabled guest was minimal in the flat. Fortunately we
never travel without a bath board which was essential here. After unpacking we
explored the South Bank of the Thames which is totally w/chair friendly. There
are lifts (elevators) that will take you from street levels to the pedestrian
bridges. We had a meal and a pint then walked across the Millennium bridge to St
Paul's cathedral. Most impressive! After a drink in the bar we all had an early
night.
Tuesday.
Off early to see Buckingham Palace and the
changing of the guard. Very wheel chair friendly walk from the club to the
palace. A good view if you get there rather early. June had a good view by the
gate only to be moved to one side as the guard went in. We stayed a few hours,
then off to Harrods. Not as easy in there for the chair. Everyone was so very
helpful but the fabulous bar was off limits as there were many steps to contend.
We abandoned that idea and moved off elsewhere. The family spit up after lunch
and we did our own thing. June and I just idly shopped and walked back to the
club. The young ones found it too tiring so got a taxi back. Wimps.
A few drinks in the bar before dinner which was superb. The attentive service
was quite spectacular. We all stood on the balcony and took in the terrific
views of the London skyline. Magic.
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June Burns at Hampton Court |
Wednesday
Up early, breakfast and off to have a ride on the
London Eye. This has been rated as London's most visited site. June's
ticket price was quite cheaper than for the walkers. I being the pusher got on
free. The access and the help we received could not be bettered. We were allowed
on first so that saved any queuing. The trip was 30 minutes long and we all
agreed that never has 30 minutes passed so quickly. The views across London were
spectacular. The family split up again June and I going to
Hampton Court Palace and the others to the Tower of London which
we knew was hopeless for w/chairs? We were helped on and off the train from
Waterloo Station to
Hampton Court Station. The journey was 30 minutes. Here again June
was half price and I got in free. What can one say about the Palace? We were
helped all along the way by attendants who where in love with their jobs. Where
there were barriers they opened doors and took us along passages, not open to
the public. We were there nearly 4 hours and only scratched the surface. This is
a place we will certainly return and explore. The return journey was as helpful
to us as the outgoing. No problems at all. A dinner at the club finishing up in
the bar with a collection of old soldiers. The stories where amazing.
Thursday.
A walk around London. Over bridges, around the old city. A viewing of Covent
Garden, but we were really too early. Did all the touristy things.
Trafalgar Square, (Nelson was covered up for
cleaning). We spent a lot of time in Hamlin’s the biggest toy shop in Europe.
We lost ourselves there. Very wheelchair friendly. June being the eternal kid
bought a bubble making machine which supposedly are for the grand kids. No way.
We had an early meal and then off to the King Edward
Theatre to see "Mary Poppins." Alex was nearly wetting herself with
excitement. June and I once again got half price tickets. Arriving in the foyer
we were met by an attendant who said it was his privilege to look after us.
Oooooooooo. To our surprise we were seated in the Royal Box complete with
private loo. I spotted the rest of the family up in the Gods and gave them all a
Royal wave. Now that was an experience, just to see how the other half lives. We
were served with a gin during the interval albeit it a plastic container. The
live show was really out of this world. How easy it is to see the spectaculars
from a wheelchair. In all, a wonderful night, this finished off with a midnight
supper in an Italian restaurant a few yards from the club. A wonderful day. June
said that really there were no obstacles at all.
Friday
Our last day in London. We decided to see Parliament,
Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade.
Everything so easy. There were no problems at all for June and the w/chair. A
good view all around. The walking was long and exciting because we really didn't
know where to go next. Finally we had a bar meal at the club and taxied to
Euston Station. We were met by attentive staff and ramped onto the train and
then ramped off at Penrith some three hours
later. Just a matter of the washing machine running and bed. What a super
wheelchair friendly trip this has been. I recommend London.
Check out Syd & June many other adventures:
Weekend in London '07
New Zealand Part I
Tenerife
East Coast Of
America (Boston
to Richmond and return)
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