Sunday was my sightseeing day, trying to pack two days worth in to 8 hours. So let’s go! Here’s what Robyn’s house looks like, it’s very Richmond.
Took the overground in to Waterloo just to mix it up a bit, and wandered over to Big Ben and friends. It’s all surprisingly intricate for its scale.
Buckingham Palace was pretty crazy. Aside from the usual changing of the guards, at some point later in the day the Prince cruised in. Apparently. I didn’t stick around because nothing was happening, aside from lots of people milling about.
Strolled back towards the river, stopping at the pretty things on the way. Wandered in to Westminster stuff, which was a highlight. The stuff on the walls inside showed some serious age, as did wear on the floors.
More wandering took me past the serious looking guards, which seem to be there simply for tourists to tease. Then it was more of the tourist stuff you all know and love as I headed towards Soho for lunch.
Burger cravings lead me to Gourmet Burger, a chain which, judging from the menu, must have been set up by Kiwis. It was amazing. Mango fantasticness.
Zigzagged from Regent St across Soho, then over to the British Museum. Madly in love! I only had about an hour and a half, which was enough time to maybe enjoy one room properly. The Egyptian stuff was especially mind blowing. Had to dash out in the middle to meet a very hungover Robyn to give him back his keys too. Need more time!
Then it was scurrying past St Pauls again to the Millenium Bridge, something I’d skipped around on previous excursions. It’s a very pretty giant spine, and really beautiful in the light at this time of the evening.
By now I was starting to run out of time to make my rendezvous with Siana and Melly, so I rushed on to the Tower Bridge. The Tower of London was closing up for the day, but I wasn’t bothered by missing it. Walking the bridge was beautiful though, another highlight.
Then I met Siana and Melly for dinner! I hadn’t seen either for far too long, they are just the loveliest people. We had a half price Italian dinner thanks to some vouchers, then went for a night walk around and over the river. After the prior failed attempt at finding peach cider with Lorrie, who hyped the stuff up something special, we stopped in to a very English pub to let me have a try. SO GOOD! New English Drink of Choice has now been established.
Then it was back on the overland to Richmond with Melly, and my London time was all but at an end. It may remain my least exciting location in my travels, but it’ll easily be one of the most fun. Spending the whole time with awesome friends will do that. Thanks guys!
More photos from London, day 4 on Flickr.
From August 15, 2010.