Fri.19 Dec. Another beautiful day!! And more steps – everywhere. Left at 10a.m. with Vaughn and Tamlyn by bus to Borough Food Market, next to Southwark Cathedral. Wandered around, and bought bread, stuffed duck, and squid. Down more steps to Queen Elizabeth Walk along the Thames. Went into a modern arcade and pub where we had coffee, then Tammy left us. Walked on with Vaughn to Tower Bridge, passing H.M.S .Belfast, a navy vessel from World War 2. This has been brought up the Thames, submerged to go under the various bridges, and refloated. We passed some Salvation Army people singing carols, near the modern, unusual, glass building of the Greater London Authority (i.e. the city hall) and saw the ditto and very tall “gherkin” office block.
Then into town and walked till we had St. Paul’s on our right and the Millenium Bridge on our left. Walked across the Millenium Bridge (which has had to be re-inforced) to the Tait Modern Gallery. Very interesting, especially the enormous Golden-diffused-light Area, with reflective glass on the very high ceiling. Many visitors lying on the floor, looking at themselves in the mirror! Had coffee overlooking the Thames, then lunch. Rose had a choking fit –DAMN !!! (at least we got noticed) Not nice at all, as she just couldn’t get her breath, and afterwards had a memory blank. And that was scary !! Vaughn left soon after that and we walked back, looking for a bus, not really lost, and wondered along some really narrow streets with cobble stone roads, the under Blackfriars bridge which gave one the feeling that you were walking in “Olivers Time” and looked over our shoulders wondering if Bill Sykes was going to jump out at you. Took a bus to Trafalgar Square, then a tube to Camden, then walked home. 4.30p.m. and pitch dark. Seemed like midnight. Lay down till 6, Calan arrived and we had supper together, and bed at 9.30.
Sat. 20 Dec. A rainy day, which serves one right for complaining about the sun. But really; it was only an observation. Vaughn and Tammy left us at the tube for Central Finchley where Calan lives. Halfway there, we realized that it’s out of zone 2, so disembarked, bought tickets to continue, and boarded the next train 10 minutes later. Wonderful! The last two stops were out in the open, which was nice. Quite countrified.
Calan met us and we had a long highway drive to Sussex. Met some friends of Calan’s who were really nice people. We arrived at 1.30 to find Vaughn and Tammy already there and waiting, having travelled by ordinary train all the way. Enjoyed a good lunch. Charlotte had taken such a lot of trouble and we even had special crackers! |