On the morning of our third day in London town (or rather Dagenham, where we were staying to be closer to Mum's family), we arrived promptly at the train station after a huge buffet breakfast, only to be told that all overground trains had been cancelled, but replacement buses were running from Barking. Ideal.
Much to our delight, this necessitated a ride on the tube from Dagenham Heathway into Westminster. Mel wondered how far away the Houses of Parliament might be when we got off the train and this was her answer:
Our grand plan for the day was to walk up to Buckingham Palace and back again, taking a look at various other landmarks on the way. Lots of people were whizzing about on so-called Boris Bikes, but the proper racing was left to the professionals, who had chosen that day to cycle 100 miles from Surrey into London, thus closing all the roads - crossing at Whitehall was a nightmare and it was quite impossible to get over to Trafalgar Square.
But we successfully (eventually, after having to rescue Mel from a traffic island by the Banqueting House) made it to the Mall, where the cyclists finished their race. We even saw the Mayor himself crossing the finishing line.
I did pop by Buck House to see if my mate Liz was there, but apparently she's on her holidays in Scotland, so she advised that I go back another time for tea and cake, which was nice.
We did, however, visit her rather lovely gift shop, stocking up on presents for grandparents - tea towels, fridge magnets and biscuits. I did have my eye on a pretty teacup and saucer, but it was slightly out of my price range; £49 for just one!
Once our bags were full and Dad's wallet considerably lighter, we made our way into the neighbouring St James' Park for refreshments. There were some lovely views back up towards the Palace, which feature in a small but v patriotic video over on my Youtube page (shall come back later with a link!)
Horse Guards Parade was the next stop on our itinerary - again featuring in my daft little video montage. Avoiding the poo left behind, we crossed the parade ground and arrived back at Whitehall. But, in true tourist fashion, this was not before we had had our photo taken with two very smart but mute guards.
The changing of the guard took us by surprise and Mel and I were almost stamped on mid-photo when the guard (who we were standing next to at the time) banged his sword and began to march off! Oops.
But we lived to tell the tale and to subsequently catch a boat to Greenwich. The trip, surprise surprise, is thoroughly documented on my little Youtube channel.
The naval college is a beautiful building and is absolutely huge. Unfortunately, Dad was banned from the maritime museum but there was little time to go ashore in any case. So we returned to Westminster on the river, with scintillating commentary from somebody who may or may not have been Ricky Tomlinson.
Our final day in London took us to the famous Tower, site of many executions and imprisonments and home of the Queen's jewellery box.
It was extremely busy inside, but the Yeoman Warders did a fantastic job, giving very amusing guided tours, including a quick visit to the chapel where Anne Boleyn was buried ('not under the table, but underneath under the table'). I was surprised to learn that the Beefeaters actually all live within the walls of the Tower - with all the tales of ghosts and spectres, I don't expect it's a life for those of a nervous disposition.
Inside the White Tower (that's the big square one in the middle), we passed through a vast exhibition of royal armour; Henry VIII was not a small man, was he?! There were some fascinating pieces elsewhere in the various towers too, including crowns used at the coronations of George I, Victoria and Edward VII to name but a few. Sadly, there were no replicas in the gift shop, because I reckon I'd look rather fetching in the Imperial State Crown.
Maybe Liz will lend it to me when I next visit.
(: xx
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