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So with camera and scarves in hand Chris and I set out for our first real traveler site seeing afternoon. How much of London could I really show Chris in 24 hours? It turns out, heaps.
The first thing Chris wanted to see was Big Ben. Perfect choice as it is my favourite thing in London. Westminster tube station exit 4. I even got Chris to watch the stairs as we walked out so his first great London site was looking up at that amazing clock tower. He was suitably amazed. The sun was shining in the gold face from the Parliament square side so we slipped around and walked across the square for some happy snaps. Then we walked up Whitehall, past 10 Downing Street and Horse Guards to Trafalgar Square. Hot halloumi and falafel rolls from Pret-a-Manger and sit at the fountain near Nelson's Column. What would any self respecting backpacker in London do next?, climb onto the lions and have a photo, which we did as self respecting backpackers. Then I wanted to show Chris the original brasses that I did the rubbings from that hang in the lounge room. So we descended into the crypt of St Martins-in-the-Field church and had a quick look.
From here we retraced our steps and bought a Queen's Head shaped postcard for Ella which we will attempt to post. Crept back along Whitehall and a sneak around to the Thames to avoid the crowd at Parliament Square. We strolled along and admired the beauty in everything. The fish lamp bases and the Egyptian ends on the park benches. Everything is so settled and old having see thousands of years of people strolling this amazing river. We went up over Westminster Bridge to the south side and looked back over to The Houses of Parliament. The most incredible stormy sky rolled in with classic beams of sunlight shafting breaking through.
The Thames Path goes along the south bank past all the buildings that give this beating heart of London its fame. We saw the London Eye and the old building now housing the Marriott Hotel and the Aquarium. Further along past Town Hall bee hive, the globe theatre and the anchor pub which are synonymous with Shakespeare. Down through the bowels of Southwark past the cathedral and the clink prison and Winchester Cathedral to the Golden Hind where were meeting Adele for dinner at the Old Thameside Inn. Adele is a nursing colleague of mine from my time in Saudi Arabia. She would have appeared by name in my previous blogs from a few years ago. 26 hours on a plane to be rewarded with vegetarian sausages on mash potato with gravy and onion rings. It was worth it. This was my favourite London meal.
After dinner we finished our evening running tour with a walk over Tower Bridge and to the Tower of London before riding the tube back to Earl's Court for a well earned sleep as the jet lag somnolence was really beginning to bite.
Written by Rod
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Tina A bit late I know but how very very exciting.