Day 30 - London

Last day today.  Ready to get back. 

Went to the British Museum to start the day.  If you only go to one museum in your life, this is probably the one.  Huge, great stuff.  Can't be done in one day.  Lots of stuff to enjoy once you have wrapped your head around the fact that a lot of it was stolen, plundered or pillaged.

On to the Museum of London.  An excellent museum that traces the history of the city right from prehistoric days.  Very interesting and can be done in a couple of hours if you're pressed for time.

That's it.  Dinner and packing for home tonight.

Day 29 - London

Went to the London Zoo today.  Good zoo, not outstanding, though.  Easy walk.  My general sense is that the enclosures are too small.  Toronto Zoo is much more spacious.  Beautiful weather for walking around.

Walked around a lot today, just looking at things and enjoying the day.

Had dinner in the Docklands and took the ferry back after dark to see the city at night.

Got home just before a huge thunderstorm hit.

Day 28 - London

An early start today to visit St. Paul's Cathedral.  A big, impressive church to be sure, but far from my favorite.  Plus, they charge more than 25 CAD to go in.  A lot of famous churches are free.  No photos allowed.  If you've seen the churches in Italy and/or France, I'd pass on this one.

That was followed by a visit to the Churchill War Rooms.  This is definitely one of the things you should do in London.  This is the actual space that was created for the government and military to command the war effort during WWII.  Not a re-creation, but the actual rooms.  It also includes a Churchill museum and a ton of WWII history.  Loved it.

A few thoughts on England and London with only two days left in our journey:

• If you are anywhere near the coast, it's colder than you think.  Always damp and always windy.  Dress appropriately.
• Englanders think that if it's 12C or warmer and sunny, then it's summer.  Shorts and short sleeves.  It's not.  They are all nuts here.  Dress appropriately.
• Country roads are really, really narrow.  Drivers know this and are courteous about pulling to the side to let you by.  Most roads are lined with hedges.  If you pull over to let someone by, STOP MOVING.  You will scratch you car and you will get dinged by the rental company if you keep moving when against a hedge.
• This is the first country I've visited where you can consistently get a good hamburger.  Surprising.
• Make sure you have at least 50P in your pocket at all times.  Pay toilets.  Enough said.
• There aren't nearly as many Indian restaurants in London as TV would lead you to believe.  The ones they do have are good, and have things on the menu you've never heard of.
• Most everything here opens late and closes early.  Even in London.  Except for pubs and restaurants.  Don't plan on shopping before 10 AM or after 5 PM.  Or on Sunday and bank holidays.
• Vehicles will always stop for you IF you are in a marked, lighted crosswalk.  Otherwise, you are simply a target.  Especially to a cabbie.  You have been warned.
• It is possible to have a good transit system.  If we had one like London's, I'd use it all the time.  It is pricey, though.  A single ride is about 4.25 CAD in the central area.  Prices vary by distance and time of day.  An annual pass will run you about 2,500 CAD if you live and work near central London.  Can get up to close to 5,000 CAD if you live a ways out.
• England is pricey.  Sticker prices of almost everything here look very much like they do at home.  But they are in GBP, not CAD.  They do, however, include taxes in the posted price.  And tipping isn't usually done here.
• A single order of fish and chips at a "chippie" will usually feed two people.  You can get half orders.  Consider it.
• There are no large supermarkets in central London, but they do a great job on prepackaged take home meals for one or two people.  So much so that it seems that everyone who lives here must buy these all the time.  There are entire sections in the stores dedicated to these meals.

Day 27 - London

Today was Tower Day. 

Started off early at the Tower of London.  It's a bit of a misnomer, as the tallest building is only 4 stories.  Hardly a tower.  It's more of a castle.  Having said that, there are 21 different named towers within the Tower of London.  Maybe it should be the Towers of London.  In any case, it's a cool place and one of the must do places in London.  Lots of interesting things to see, including some fantastic old weapons and armour.  Great history here.

Moved on to the Tower Bridge.  Moderately interesting, especially the Engine Room tour.

Finished off at the Borough Market.

A few new photos here.

Day 26 - London

Up early today to walk the canal from Little Venice to the Camden Market.  A nice walk, although quite cool, where you can see canal boats, some seedy sections, some ultra rich areas and part of the London Zoo.

Camden Market is very touristy, with loads of mass produced merchandise and very little in the way of original stuff.  It does have a unique setting and layout and is easy to get lost in the maze of streets and tunnels.  But, if you want a market with original stuff and/or real antiques, this is not the place.

On to the RAF Museum.  It doesn't officially open until June, so there are some teething problems.  It needs more signage and some displays aren't ready yet.  But we did get in, and it has some great planes to look at.  It's good, but it will get better.  Worth a visit if you like this sort of thing.

Day 25 - London

We spent the day at Windsor Castle.  Much to our surprise, we missed the wedding.  I could have sworn the invite said Tuesday.

It's a beautiful castle, worth the visit.  No photos allowed inside, though, so I can't show you the good stuff.  The little town of Windsor is basically one pedestrian shopping street and a small mall.  A place to kill an hour or so.

A short rest and then we visited the Sky Garden, for a view of London from up in the sky.  A different look, and it's free.

Day 24 - London

Started the day with a tour of Royal Albert Hall.  It's likely that you've seen this place on TV, but TV doesn't do it justice.  It is quite spectacular.  A must do if you visit London.

After that we spent a few hours at the Victoria and Albert Museum.  Some interesting stuff, but not my favourite museum.

Wandered around Soho for a while after that.  Walked up Carnaby Street.  It used to be a thing, but it isn't anymore.