London calling

I have been a few times to the UK.. but only transfer at the London Heathrow Airport... Once as a kid with my parent to Dover with the Ferry. That was it so far.
But then came Karen, my good old colleague and friends soon to be married wife. She contacted me and Jacques, another colleague and friend from Paris, if we would like to come to Sittingbourne for a surprise Party for Clive.
He turns 60 next week, but for they travel to Jamaica for the wedding party etc. So she planned a surprise Party with Family and friends a few days before.
Jacques and I had a few days to think about it. After finding cheap flights from Paris and Stuttgart to London, we made it possible. Karen planned all the rest.
Clive did not know anything :-)

Jacques and I flew to London on March 14th. We took the Underground / Trains downtown and met there (I arrived at Heathrow, he at Gatwick). Jacques arrived earlier and had some time to make a Sightseeing Tour with those double Decker Buses. I had not that much time. But we met at Green Park near the Buckingham Palace and had lunch at the first ever Hard Rock Cafe. I am a big fan of those HRCs...
We walked around a bit and had at least a little sightseeing. Old Bond Street with lots of VIP stores, cars etc.
The sun came finally out, before it was cold and windy.
We walked by Buckingham Palace and went to Victoria Station.
Usually traveling to Sittingbourne/Kent takes less than 1 hour. But due to construction we had to take  also a bus as a transfer between Train Stations.
After 2 hours we arrived. Went to the Hotel, met Clives cousin Tony and took the cab to The Sun Inn.
Family and friends were already there. Jacques and I were the surprise surprise guests ... he might have expected his cousin and other friends, but not us :-)

When Clive finally arrived he did not noticed us right away. He looked around, was really surprise by the many people..He sat down at the bar, ordered a Pint and then looked around again. You should have seen his jaws dropping when he noticed Jacques and me :-)
That was fun :-)
What can I say, it was a great evening with good friends, new friends, good Music, food and Beer.
After a short trip to Clives house we went back to the Hotel at night.

Breakfast was perfect and Karen and Clive picked us up to show us the beautiful area they live in. We went to Rochester, saw the Castle and Church. I have to admit. roads there are pretty narrow, driving on the "wrong" side of the road, even as a passenger, is strange.. but KENT is beautiful...
Sweet little towns, bars, streets.
It was our first trip to London and this was also a wonderful beginning of the day.
Finally Clive and Karen dropped me off at Heathrow again and Jacques at Gatwick.
A perfect surprise weekend... We will always remember :-)