Big Bus Tour and walk around London

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Today was an early start. I ventured out from the hotel to catch the big bus early in the morning. Although I have done it before I thought to hop off at stops I hadn't before. I stopped at the Marble Arch, there wasn't a lot happening so early in the morning, but I am sure the speakers corner was later. Hyde Park looked amazing with so much greenery, seeing horses riding through from the training school nearby with many buses lining up to pick up their passengers. Hoping back on and taking the bus around and down Regent Street. This is such an amazing street with so many iconic brand shops leading its way down to Piccadilly Circus. Here I hopped off again, the big building of Lillywhites sports store, Ripley's (believe it or not), and the Shaftesbury fountain on the corner. From here I decided to walk down Regent Street to Pall Mall. (ever get that feeling you are in a Monopoly game!!!). Then walking down to Trafalgar Square and seeing Nelson's column which was built to commemorate Admiral Nelson who died in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The art gallery of London is in Trafalgar Square also. I then walked past the Charles statue and then through the Admiralty Arch built in memory of Queen Victoria which is at the other end of The Mall from Buckingham Palace.

The Mall is the road that leads from Buckingham Palace down to the horses guard. Union flags are on the flag poles along the near 1km stretch of road and has trees lining the side of the road. The walk is refreshing with parks either side including St James park and lake. I did have a look at the Queens Horses guard, and had a lovely chat with a welcoming policeman, although wasn't really allowed to take a photo with anyone on the force with a weapon (but you can sneak a pic in without their knowledge 😉). The horses are amazing, and I even have one love me enough he bent his head down to get a pat on his mane. It would take a lot of practice to be still for so long in the outfits they have to wear too. From here I walked down Whitehall toward Parliament square. Seeing Big Ben, I knew were I was, and walking to the square to see the Churchill statue. It was bigger than i imagined. Seeing the little St Margaret's Church in comparison to Westminster Abbey. What a delightful building with wonderful architecture, with a little walk around, to find the Westminster school behind buildings that all blended to belong together.

I decided a little break was needed so walked past the Houses of Parliament and over the Westminster Bridge with a nice view of the London Eye. I hopped on the Big Bus to take a little more of a ride, to rest while sightseeing. Seeing Australia High commission (with the Aussie flag flying) made me feel like I was home, then following the road on the bus, viewing the statue dividing City of Westminster and City of London, past St Paul's Cathedral. I did get a bit of a treat with crossing over the Southwark bridge and seeing the London Bridge with its gates up. What a beautiful sight, with yachts in the water and people waving from below. Driving our way around, we went over the London Bridge eventually. There was a line up to get across it, as the gates were up for quite a while. But it was very pleasant sitting at the top of the big bus. Past the Tower of London, back up and around past the London Eye, seeing the back side of the Houses of Parliament and weaving our way through the streets down past Harrod's and then off the bus for a quiet evening before heading north of London.

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