Sunday, August 7, 2016

August 6, 2015. Sight-seeing in London

PLOCATION:  House-sitting in Orpington, England near London
WEATHER:  Beautiful.  Sunny. Highs mid-70s

After our morning constitutional with Bela, we caught the train to London.  It is only a 20-minute ride.  We bought an all-day travel ticket which allows us unlimited tube travel in London, plus the train ride.  

George had read about a weekend market near London Bridge, our train stop.  After a lot of walking in circles, we finally asked someone for directions, and found it, tucked under an old viaduct.  It was really interesting.....all food stalls with  yummy food.  We split a scotch egg....



We squeezed through masses of tourists at the Tower Bridge and Tower of London....



We have heard that London is especially full of tourists as the pound is low, making it a good value for travelers, including us.

The skyline along the Thames River is a combination of old buildings and a lot of new construction...
 
We caught a river "bus" and got off at Canary Wharf.  This is in the "East End" that used to be slums, but has been developed into a fabulous area full of shops, high-rise condos and restaurants.  We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the river.  

With our free tube ticket, we made our way to Greenwich, home of the Prime Meridian.  We tried to buy a beer at the "Meantime Brewery", but it was packed.  

 
A (free) light rail ride took us to the tube station, located in a very snazzy mall.  We picked up some groceries in a Marks and Spencer food hall, then took the tube to our train station, then the train back home.

Exhausted after a busy day walking and fighting the crowds, we camped on the couch watching Doc Martin (familiar scenes from our recent trip to Cornwall) and Inspector Lewis, filmed in places we have visited in Oxford.  

DINNER:  Chicken and veg curry.

1 comment:

  1. Oh now you are on my home turf from my childhood. We have relies at Canary wharf, great spot, and we lived just nearby at Greenwich to where you are. Home sweet home
    Think this is our holiday destination next year

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