London

Up at 4am - couldn’t sleep as our body clocks are still adjusting.

Funny watching the people still out an about - many doing the 4am walk of shame home after a big Saturday evening.

After breakfast, know more than 100m from our Airbnb we walked down Drury Lane which is synonymous for the song “do you know the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin.’ Haha hopefully you all sang along and now that song will be stuck in your head all day, as it has mine.

We continued walking to St Paul’s Cathedral (LP). It was built in the 17th century after the previous cathedral was destroyed in the great fire of London 1666. The cathedral’s dome standing 111m high was at the time the tallest building in London. It has hosted many major events in the past including, Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981 and Sir Winston Churchill funeral in 1965.

We continued walking to a couple of London’s iconic skyscrapers known as ‘The Gerkin’ (180m) a distinctive curved glass covered building and then to the ‘Sky Garden’ aka ‘Walkie Talkie’ standing (160m).

We then walked through the Leadenhall Markets before entering ‘The Tower of London.’ Located on the north bank of the Thames, which was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is home to the Crown Jewels (unfortunately photos prohibited) which were impressive to see. The Tower has been used as a Royal Palace, Prison, Armory and Treasury in the past. However, it’s probably best known for its role as a prison where many famous prisoners have been executed over the centuries including Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More and Guy Fawkes.

Lo and behold walking to our next attraction we walked into two of my old work mates (Detectives) travelling to Canada and England on a junket. Such a small world. Who would have thought you’d run into someone on the other side of the world in less that 24 hours of being here.

We then walked across the Tower Bridge which is just spectacular. Built between the years 1886-1894 it is considered an engineering masterpiece for the times. We climbed the 260+ stairs to the top of the bridge and walked across the walkways between the two towers. The engine room (back down on street level) which was coal and steam powered, enables the central span to be raised and lowered to allow ships passageway.
Then onto Borough (food) Markets which has been around for over 1000 years. Wow it was busy. We decided to find a pub for lunch called ’Bunch of Grapes.’ I know exactly what you’re thinking, and it isn’t pleasant.

We just love the pubs over here, so much atmosphere. Talking of pubs, immediately outside Borough Markets is ‘The Globe pub’ famous for being the home of ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ the movies.

We then walked to the Shard (LP) 310m , the tallest building in London with sensational 360-degree views of London. We enjoyed a glass of prosecco and sat and took in the views. Highly recommend a visit.

Then to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, which is a three-storey open air amphitheatre designed in a circular shape with a thatched roof. We then caught an Uber Boat to Westminster where was walked around the House of Parliament, New Scotland Yard, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Despite our many hours of planning and research, we failed to identify that the Abbey is closed on a Sunday. Damn, we must come back tomorrow.

Off to another pub ‘The Red Lion’ to afford Melissa a toilet break. So, in the interim I thought I would order two beers and somehow struck up a conversation with a lovely Irish couple. After a good yarn and beers, we walked past a heavily guarded no.10 Downing Street. Then walked to Trafalgar Square (again), Piccadilly Circus, China Town and Neale’s Yard, before returning to our Airbnb for happy hour.

Jet lag kicked in so decided to walk down and get takeaway Pizza from HomeSlice at Neal's Yard.They are the biggest pizza we have seen, coming in at 20 inches.... Early night 8am.

Steps: 25,800
Home Slice Pizza: 8/10Les mer