On the 12th of January we went to visit Russell and Christine in Sheffield. We all took the bus into the centre which is gradually being developed by the urban design company that Rachael works for in London.

These are the fountains in the Peace Garden.


The nearby Winter Gardens were bustling and much bigger than we expected, with the museum / art gallery entrances off one side.


The following day we drove to London to visit Rachael & stay in her new flat for a few days.

On the Monday we went to Westminster Bridge and walked up Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace. After watching the changing of the guard we strolled up Constitution Hill to Hyde Park Corner, then continued into Kensington Gardens to see The Diana Memorial Fountain.


The following evening we went to The Royal Albert Hall to see Varekai by The Cirque du Soleil. It was superb musical spectacle created by jugglers, acrobats, trapeze artists and clowns.
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedusoleil/en/showstickets/varekai/intro/intro.htm


On Wednesday, after lunch with Rachael near her smart offices, we had a look around the newly rebuilt St Pancras Station. It is light, spacious and the new blends in well with the old. The huge glass roof is particularly impressive.