One could have been waking up in a small cottage in the New Forest we had had such a peaceful nights sleep. Andrews flat is a gem, so cozy, so tastefully kitted out with mod fittings,and so many reminders of the fact that we were in a Teeton home.
We were itching to get into London so before long we were out the door on the bikes and pedaling down through Greenwhich Park. Andrew by the way had to go into work a nd thankfully he had a quiet introduction back into things with most folk still on holiday.
Greenwhich Park is a hive of activity for the Olympics, with it being used as the venue for the equestrian events. As a result most of the paths were closed off but we managed to find our way to the observatory, the spot that marks the point between East and West. A wifi hotspot allowed us to email a photo of Caitlin in front of the observatory to her teacher. They had recently covered this in geography.
Our next stop was the Naval College, now Greenwhich University and the Trinity Music school which Gus was keen to visit, since he's writing the Trinity grade 6 flute music exam this year. He wasn't disappointed I don't think. Music wafted out of many windows to the large courtyard we were in. We were most impressed with the Painted Hall where Lord Nelson was laid in state after he died. The artwork fascinated us all even after our visits to the Ufuzi and Louvre, not an inch of the walls or ceilings left un-painted! We Also visited the Chapel which was beautiful. Moving on we cycled past the Cutty Sark, the large Tea Cutter that has been so well renovated after a fire recently. £12 entrance fee! We skipped on to the foot tunnel that took us to the Isle of Dogs (King Henry VIII kept his dogs there). Following the cycle path along the Thames, in and out of the parks and tasteful estates, past the Vaptain Kidd and Grapes Pubs and when we got to a path detour we made our way into the Limehouse Link tunnel. Oops! How we got there I have no idea, we followed the signs! We were relieved to get out safely! We stopped at a small supermarket where an assistant spoke no english at all, our first introduction to the multicultural society London now has. We sat and had our ham and cheese rolls with a good view of Tower Bridge and the Shard, before moving through St Catherines Dock. It was nice and warm, yet cloudy and it seemed everyone was out and about! We cycled across Tower Bridge and think walked back. It is a beautiful landmark! Cycling past Tower of London and Temple, we negotiated The Strand to a very, very busy Trafalgar Square. A photo opportunity on the lions, a demonstration outside South Africa house and Olympic flags and banners graced the square. We didn't stop at no. 10 Downing Street for long as Caitlin couldn't wait to get her first glimpse of Big Ben. She wasn't disappointed, Parliament square looked impressive in so many ways, infant the whole city was PUMPING? The mass of cyclists at each traffic light was something I'd never witnessed in London before. Was this a result of Olympic and Tour de France success? The mayor of London has joined Paris in introducing a brilliant pay and ride bike system with good bikes that you can pick up for a small fee a deposit anywhere where there's a drop off point. You get your deposit back when you return the bike to the ‘slot'.
We pedaled across Westminster bridge to the garden on the south bank where the London eye is located. This garden was humming with activity. Mime artists, magicians, break dancers, musicians, skate borders, crazy fun fair rides, a superb children's play park and again, so many reminders of the Olympics.
We were now shattered, so to finish off the day sharing a pint with the setting sun and Andrew who had me us there, was a real treat!
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