Walking along the South Bank

London Day 2
Cameron and I were wakened pretty early after collapsing on our beds pretty early last night. So in the guide book there was a bit about a Riverside Walk along the South Bank from Westminster Bridge via Bankside to Southwark Cathedral and we decided that would be the start of our full day in London. Popped in to Little Waitrose next to The Regency for our breakfast to eat outdorrs in the sunshine when we found a bench. We jumped on the tube along with the thousands of commuters and got off at Westminster. There was a little moment where my claustrophobia started to rear up when the tube was stuck for 5 minutes in the tunnel but I shut my eyes and imagined myself outdoors till it started up.

The walk begun at Queen Boudica's statue, which Cameron found as he recognised it from his school project on London last year:-) He was really impressed with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (yes we know it's the bell) and the early morning sun was shining on the building and yes, it's a pretty spectacular sight.

We sat beside the London Eye and ate our food and I pointed out St Paul's to him and also the Tower of London. As we walked further down passing the many sights along the way Tower Bridge came into view and again, it's such a spectacular sight. We got the lift to the top of the Oxo Tower, but none of the restaurants were opened so early, so we headed down to one of the riverside cafe's for some more food and drink. With temps in the high 20s early on there was much water being drunk. And no marching on; it was hot weather walking, just an easy sauntering along, talking in the sights and chatting to one another, I remember that was a nice moment - all the famous sights and me and the boy walking in the sunshine.

Over the Tower Bridge and marvelling as well at the Tower of London. A little refreshment over at the other side and then we caught a bus to Covent Garden. This place was buzzing with street entertainers and enjoyed the little stalls inside the Apple Market. We had decided before we came down that we would go and see Matilda and tried to get the cheaper tickets but it seems that Matilda isn't in the cut price deals so it was full price and purchased our tickets for the next evening. Nice food sitting outdoors people watching and then sitting in the square watching another street entertainer.

We headed back on the tube to catch the last couple of hours of the Natural History museum, another impressive building which is at the top of our street where we were staying. We just concentrated on the dinosaur part, as the museum is massive and really needs a full day there to appreciate all the exhibits, but with the weather being so fantastic, we both wanted to be outdoors. The dinosaur exhibition is magnificent but oh the heat inside........

Back to hotel for shower and changed and then back out for more food in South Kensington cafe quarter and then some Mmmmmmmmm ice cream then a walk up as far as the Albert Hall and sitting on the steps of the Albert Memorial Statue as the sun went down on our first full day in London. Tired and happy we headed back to the hotel for bed,