Slept in a bit as we didn't get back last night until fairly late and we were pretty worn out from the long day. First stop once we were up was the TESCO that we just realised is right around the corner from our hotel! Restocked on essentials and had fun comparing what's the same and what's different to back home. Oh, and I am happy to report no row with the chip and pin machine.
Then we took the Tube (which, seriously London, well done on the whole Underground system here. A well-oiled machine, that!) to Westminster to head over to the London Eye!
We had prepurchased tickets online (Tussaud's plus one attraction...I recommend, because you save money, plus you get to stand in a much shorter line) and before much longer, we were in our compartment seeing London from above. They really don't pack the cars as tightly as I had anticipated, so there was plenty of room to maneuver about and take lots of photos. I know some people say it's too much of a tourist trap, but we loved it and felt it was well worth the cost.
By then it was lunch time, so we picked a lovely spot to have a little picnic with our Tesco goodies. (Thought we'd try the Hobnobs this time!)
This was our view while we ate. I honestly cannot get enough photos of Big Ben.
After lunch, walked past a telephone booth and had a flashback of my first of many creepy meetings with Mycroft.
Next stop was Irene Adler's place in the swanky neighbourhood of Belgravia. Really lovely homes there.
And then we popped over to Boscobel Place one street over to reenact one of my favourite scenes, the "Punch me in the face" moment. This is us redoing the "I HAD BAD DAYS!" bit. I think I enjoyed it more than Sherlock did.
Got a bit tired from all the walking and decided to stretch out on the grass opposite the Palace and just soak up the English sunshine. Lots of people had the same idea!
Trafalgar Square was next. So impressive...and crowded! That's the National Gallery behind me, and we headed there next.
The entire building is its own work of art, with incredible detailing wherever you look, and plenty of culture to just stroll past and soak up. My favourite piece is this one of Van Gogh's, which has special significance to Doctor Who fans as well. Sorry the photo is a bit crooked...there was quite a crowd at that painting!
After leaving the National Gallery, we hunted down what we know as our favourite restaurant, Angelo's. The decor has changed a bit, but the lights are still the same ones we sat beneath during first dinner together!
Had supper at an Italian place and then headed towards Victoria Station, which was where our pre-booked "London By Night" open top bus tour departed from. Popped into a shop on the way to look at souvenirs, and Sherlock found someone to "bee" his friend.
The bus tour was enjoyable, if a bit chilly. There was an audio guide, and so much interesting history and anecdotes were shared! The great Sherlock Holmes was even mentioned. And we couldn't help noticing as we passed Trafalgar Studios that Molly's apparent twin is starting in a play! What's with these doppelgangers of people we know showing up in London theatre?! Next thing you know, one of us will be doing bloody Shakespeare or something!
Another brilliant day and we're exhausted and ready for sleep. Posting this without proofreading again as it's 11:30pm and then turning in. Night all!
- JW