Most things regal with a circus thrown in

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The tour director had it all planned out today but more walking rather than underground travel of yesterday.The underground certainly gets you where you want to quickly and as yet we havent encountered any delays.However the sights are all on the surface and we are enjoying the walking in the sun.
And again today is forecast to be sunny and warm with the high in the mid 20's.Even at this temperature it hasnt been too hot to be in the sun and although we have been a bit naughty not applying sunscreen we havent been sunburnt either.
Another big breakfast and we were on our way to join the underground at 9.30am when the cheaper travel starts.
The oyster card is the way to go if you are here for more than a few days and topping it up at the off licence or in NZ terms,dairy,is the way to go as you avoid the queues at the station.
The train was certainly less crowded travelling after 9.30 and we headed for Westminster.
One could have emerged from the underground and walked on without looking up at the towering BigBen but the icon draws your attention and so it was mphotos time but this time from a different angle than last time.
First call of the day was to be the Horse Guards Parade which is where the horse guards prepare for the change at Buckingham Palace.We got there early suspecting a big crowd and we wanted a good place.We werent wrong and by the time the parade started the area was full.
It was a very ceremonial occasion with a new group of 7 horses and their spendidly dressed soldiers with their swords in salute doing their thing as the old guard came in to changeover.There was a lot of shouting of exchanges bewteen the sets of guards on their horses although one rather large chap seemed to be saying most.
We watched the two horse guards change over in their sentry boxes facing out to the road.This all takes place on the pavement of quite a busy road and with a crowd gathered round and the guards and horses following a set routine,the audience had to move in a hurry as the giant size horeses moved about.That included Gretchen who had got herself almost in the way of one of the horses who brushed her as it went by startling her a bit.No damage done.
The it was back down the road past Dowling Street again and into Westminister Abbey to take the free(!!!) audio tour of this amazing building that has been there for hundreds of years.There was of course an entry fee so that the building can be maintained but the tour was really worth it.
There were crowds walking around most with the free audio attached to their ear.So we joined the zombie like parade as we went from one area to another.This was like walking back in history as we went from one tomb to another with kings and queens buried in different places all for varying reasons.Halfway through the tour we reaced the poets and writers corner with names that dated back through the years and also ones of more modern times like D H Lawrence.Not all had been buried there and some were remembered by a plaque.
The tour then takes you out into the cloisters.The abbey was once a monestary and even today people actually live there in a section off the cloisters.
The last stop was at the unknown soldier,a large plaque in the centre of the entranceway.The Queen had spontanesly placed a wreath here at her mothers funeral.
All the Kings and Queens of England have been crowned here for hundreds of years and the place just oozed history.The Jeremy Irons commentary on the audio made it sound very English.
Lunchtime beckoned and we made for St James Park which is adjacent to the Abbey.We called into a sandwich shop called Pickles down one of the little sidestreets and had freshly made avocado and salad and a ham and mustard sandwich together with a chocolate milkshake,something we havent had in a long time.
The park was full of office workers making the most of the sun and we had to search a bit to find a space in the shade.
We then took a stroll around the park and it wasn't long before the squirrels became evident.They were mostly only interested in nuts but we didnt have any with us although Gretchen had saved some of her sandwich crust which they came up and took off her OK.
There were dozens of green and white deckchairs set out with many being used as the Londoners lay back and soaked up the sun.
We are sure all this sunbathing is telling us enjoy while its here because this sustained period of fine sunny weather is not the norm.
The it was on past the Duke of York statue and up to Piccadilly Circus.It was mid afternoon and traffic was pretty frenetic and it soon becomes clear why it is called a circus.
Of course the middle of the large roundabout with streets shooting off in several directions was full of tourists taking in what is one of the most visited places in London.It is a great spot for photos with double decker buses heading off in all directions sometimes going right around the roundabout and sometimes just in and out.
After getting our fill of Piccadilly Circus we walked along Regents Street for a short way and then took a detour into Soho and Carnaby Street.It wasn'r quite what I imagined it would be with high fashion shops but perhaps those days are gone.I seem to recall that Carnaby Street was where flared trousers were invented(??)We wandered in and along more Soho streets............and then suddenly we were amongst SEX shops!!What had gone wrong or had the tour director planned this.???Anyway they didnt last long and we walked out to Oxford Street heading towards Selfridges.
We didn't make it that far after coming across a sports store that had huge discounts on shoes and as I needed new sandals I found a suitable replacment pair at GBP11.99 plus a very nice Umbro shirt at 70% off(they almost paid me to take it away!!) and a couple of packs of ankle socks for us both.
All this had taken time and Gretchen was keen to get on the underground before rush hour.So we brought a couple of fresh cornish pastries from a cornish pastry chain store for dinner and headed home leaving Selfridges for tomorrow.Just before getting on the train we had time for an IPA style beer at The Old Explorers Pub just off Oxford Street.The beer was cold enough but not enough zing in it for us.We still rate Carling Cold as the best so far.
Despite it being 4.30pm the District Line train we caught wasn't at all full and we had no problem getting seats.
After stopping in for some top up supplies at ADSA it home for another beer reviver and a relatively(for the past few days)early dinner.

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Photos

Guards and horses to attention
The guy on the right hand end looked like he was nodding off and we were at the ready should he have fallen off his horse.He didn't.So much for a long tour of guard duty!!

Sunning ourselves in St James Park
We are getting the hang of these self portraits!!

Comments

[Leebee]

Love the squirrel! You fit all my favourite things about London into one day....love emerging from the tube and gaping up at Big Ben, love St James Park (my favourite of all London parks), love the circus, love Oxford St and love Carnaby St. You did miss our all time favourite pie shop though. Its in a little alleyway off Carnaby St and its called Mother Mash. If you have a pie craving I would totally recommend the place!

[Rin]

I warned you about SoHo! :-) I used to walk thru Picadilly Circus almost every day to get my lunch while I was at work and I *never* got tired of it :-D

[Christine Barns]

Lifetime of memories
Hello you two, my goodness what wonderful write ups you are giving. I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone of them and the photos are awesome too. I have had many a laugh... by myself and outloud, if the family hear I think they think I am mad! So you are not missing your gymnastics then???? Keep safe, look forward to more. Christine