London – Dale and Becca

Wednesday – We were up early, grabbed a breakfast Panini as we were walking, and were ready and waiting outside the National Gallery, so we could go in as soon as it opened. When we visited previously, we saw there was a Van Gogh exhibition, including some of his sunflower paintings. The line was kinda long though, so we decided to come back today, as soon as it opened, so we wouldn’t have to wait. And that worked perfectly, got to walk straight in. It was very lovely, no pics allowed in the gallery though. More wandering, to see Michelangelo and Raphael, then onwards to our next stop.. coffee..

The gate on the North Bank of the Thames, back in the day

Jerome is a very knowledgeable about coffee, every time Dale needed some, would just ask Jerome what was good in the area we were in, and he would know. !

Headed out to the tower of London (NOT A TOWER, IS A CASTLE! Misleading), where we stood in line for a half hour to get tickets (sad), then went inside. I was expecting a tower, but is so much more.

This is an old wall! The terracota tile bits were laid down probably around 200AD, by the Romans, as part of the wall around London.

Spent all afternoon there, exploring all the bits. Definitely worth dedicating a full morning, afternoon or more to a visit. Especially at the price they charge. Did a yeoman tour, where he told us stories and was very entertaining; a torture dungeon; crown jewels (so very sparkly); The White Tower (built around 1100AD!), with its armoury, then a quick walk around the walls.

Lastly we crossed the Tower Bridge (pretty!), which you need to realise is different to London Bridge. London Bridge is just your average run-of-the-mill street bridge, whereas the Tower Bridge is ornate and pretty!

We headed to meet Jerome at the London bridge station to hand over house keys. So many people. Headed to green park again, for another loop around the palace, and to examine the statues, which were gift from NZ, then a pleasant walk via Cornish pasties to Victoria station, for the train back to Brighton. Got seats which is good, as the train was very full, some people didn’t.

Buckingham Palace - they're having a meeting! — Buckingham Palace – they’re having a meeting!

All in all, a good first visit to London.

Tuesday – We were up a bit later than expected. We had Oyster cards, which make travel really easy. Much like the Snapper cards in Wellington, you just top them up with an amount of money, then swipe into the subway system, or swipe on to the buses.

Took the tube to Green Park, where we walked through, past the deck chairs waiting to be sat on, to our first view of Buckingham Palace.

We planned to view the changing of the guard, and had read that we needed to be there early. We arrived 45 minutes before it was supposed to start… Yet, People! People everywhere. Everyone else was also there early. We positioned ourselves at what we thought was a good spot, and hung around. Eventually they came, with their music and their horsies and their very straight marching. They yelled a lot, and marched around, and swapped places. The prim and proper guard band played some music for us, including Dancing Queen, and various songs by Abba.

Wandered up along Constitution Hill, grassy, cool, and pretty. The mounted police went past occasionally. They have horse crossings, complete with horse height buttons to press, to cross the road. We visited the Nz war memorial, the Air corps memorial, and the Wellington Arch. Briefly stepped foot into Hyde Park. Literally inside then out, just to say we’d been. I’m sure we will go back there!

Bumblebee hat is off to somewhere important,,, — Bumblebee hat is off to somewhere important…

Ponies can't cross yet — Ponies can’t cross yet

Back to subway, over to Brick lane, where we wandered for ages, trying to find somewhere to eat. We walked past a lot of Indian restaurant people trying to convince you to come eat at their restaurant. Apparently we are supposed to bargin. But the thought of sitting in the restaurant while they all stare at you and rush around to serve you just didn’t really do it for me We ended up having a very late lunch + cider at a yummy burger place.

Then took the Toob to Greenwich. Large boat, cutty sark, lots of lines! Walked through the info centre, then up to the observatory, to stand on the gmt line. It was such a lovely day. Like everything else awsome that you want to get your picture in front of, there was a line to get a picture with the line. Instead of waiting, I took a picture of it by itself, then we went down the path to the side, where there also was a line, but it was by itself, so we got our picture there. Much better than waiting.

The Prime Meridian Line, where time begins!

The lesser known part of the, where you can get pictures any time!

A lovely walk back across the green, then the subway back to town, to Oxford Circus. Ridiculous amount of people. A seething mass of humanity. We were meeting Jerome and Amy for dinner at a place called ping pong. We waited for them at Oxford Circus, so I got to just stand back and watch the hordes. There was a constant stream of people descending into the depths of the earth to ride the tube. Constant and never ending. Or so it seemed.

Ping Pong is my new favourite restaurant. they serve Dim sum, and amazingly, a whole vegetarian option! Mmm steamed bun, mmm dumplings. Deilishuz vegetarian, so good. Home for raspberries and icecream dessert, and chatting with our hosts.

Category: London

London: The Tower – Wednesday 16th April

London: Palaces and Parks – Tuesday 15th April