Londinium

I'm sorry but you may just have to tolerate lots of some collages while I am on holiday!

Today, I woke earlier than normal to get ready to head for the big metropolis that is LONDON. G absolutely loves the City and has to visit as often as is possible. An afternoon tea had been booked before leaving Dubai, so off we went deciding to park in our friends' drive in Bromley and use Oyster cards from thereon.

After a little incident at Bromley South trying to top-up my Oyster card (the machine swallowed £10 and didn't give anything back), a member of staff with divine timing miraculously appeared and helped retrieve the money for me to try again. We caught the fast train into Victoria without even planning it. There you go.

Arrived with hours to spare before our appointment, so we wandered around - first stop - Westminster Cathedral which I have a vague memory of seeing before and still amazed that there is an Abbey and a Cathedral with the same name. Completely different though, as the Cathedral is part of the Holy See of Rome! Headed towards the River, and popped into the Grand Methodist Hall which is right opposite Westminster Abbey. This was truly impressive. I loved the simplicity of the inside and was so thrilled to be there as I also love Charles Wesley hymns. Had time for the shortest stop on Westminster Bridge to see the Thames before jumping on a Boris bus (another first) to get to the Hilton near London Victoria for our afternoon tea. It was delicious with excellent size portions.

Left there with plenty of time and sunlight, so jumped on "any bus" and just went with the flow! We ended up in Camden Lock and it was really good to see it on a warm summer day rather than a cold drizzly one! I also did a bit of shopping and am now the proud owner of a pair of cherry coloured Dr. Marten's! :D

Jumped on the C2 (this was carefully chosen) and got back to Victoria. Happily for us, the route took us via some places we hoped to see namely Regent Street (with it's Golden Magnum balloons - which reminds me I owe Tigg a couple of these) and ta da... Berkeley Square (of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square fame!) I was so thrilled to see this. Must visit and have a good look as it is very pretty. Took in lots of other sights too - some of which are here. Large really is the only way to view this.

Sorry if I've bored you. It's been such a great day, another trip is already planned, in fact, I have booked tickets to visit the viewing gallery of The Shard! Managed to catch the fast train back to Bromley South - again without trying; and home just before 10! It has just gone midnight, so I'm afraid I have to catch up with you tomorrow.

PS. The quote in the middle is engraved on an outside wall of Westminster Abbey. And while I'm at it, I couldn't help being impressed that nearly everything was free in the Cathedral with very few requests for donations. Think the Abbey charge people quite a lot to enter, unless you're attending a service.