12-5-05 – Off To Central London
We had intended on getting up very early and heading off to Bath for a walking tour, but, having only 2 hours sleep the night prior, we decided to sleep in, then head off to Central London by train for some sight seeing, one of the great changes in National Rail (formerly British Rail) is you buy a single ticket, and use it for the day, on train or tube, very simple and straightforward. We got a late start, but crammed a bunch of things in a short period of time.
It’s Official – I’m An American
When we got off the subway at Westminster, there was a lot to see, Houses of Parliament, under heavy armed guard these days, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. When we approached what I thought was Westminster Abbey, we couldn’t see where you could get in, so Stephani asked a bobby (policeman) how we got into the Abbey. The bobby smiled and dryly exclaimed that we were actually at the rear of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey was across the street.. So, It’s official, Gary the Brank is officially an American, knowing nothing of his English heritage.
Once I got over the humiliation of mixing up a government office for an abbey, we queued (got in line) to get in. We were searched, no photography, no hats, just viewing some of the most ancient tombs in history. Mary Queen of Scots lies there, Winston Churchill, the architecture of the Abbey is breathtaking, and stunning in its design.
Then we grabbed lunch and headed for Tower of London, but there wasn’t enough time to take in the tour, so we are going to return for that one later and plan a full day in Central London.
We basically criss-crossed London by tube, stopping in at Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Carnaby Street, the Embankment with the huge London Eye wheel. We had dinner in a nice place just off Oxford Street, and were tired so we buzzed back to the hotel for tonight’s episode of “Coronation Street”, a popular English evening soap.
Hope you are enjoying reading the Blog – hey Give Us A Shout Bloggers, post some comments on our Blog.
It’s Official – I’m An American
When we got off the subway at Westminster, there was a lot to see, Houses of Parliament, under heavy armed guard these days, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. When we approached what I thought was Westminster Abbey, we couldn’t see where you could get in, so Stephani asked a bobby (policeman) how we got into the Abbey. The bobby smiled and dryly exclaimed that we were actually at the rear of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey was across the street.. So, It’s official, Gary the Brank is officially an American, knowing nothing of his English heritage.
Once I got over the humiliation of mixing up a government office for an abbey, we queued (got in line) to get in. We were searched, no photography, no hats, just viewing some of the most ancient tombs in history. Mary Queen of Scots lies there, Winston Churchill, the architecture of the Abbey is breathtaking, and stunning in its design.
Then we grabbed lunch and headed for Tower of London, but there wasn’t enough time to take in the tour, so we are going to return for that one later and plan a full day in Central London.
We basically criss-crossed London by tube, stopping in at Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Carnaby Street, the Embankment with the huge London Eye wheel. We had dinner in a nice place just off Oxford Street, and were tired so we buzzed back to the hotel for tonight’s episode of “Coronation Street”, a popular English evening soap.
Hope you are enjoying reading the Blog – hey Give Us A Shout Bloggers, post some comments on our Blog.
Comments
I've never been to LONDON, so thanks for the pics and the editorial....
Happy travels...
xx
Sue