Just around London

Tuesday - Today was a London walking day. We started out taking the tube to Trafalgar Square where we checked out the Olympics on the big screen. We were about an hour early for the paddling (we were hoping to see Andrew Willows' K2 heat) so we popped into the crypt at St. Martin in the Fields for a coffee. Back to the Square - still no paddling - so we went into the National Gallery. We spent over two hours and just covered the highlights (a least the highlights according to Rick Steves).

Then we went back to St. Martins for their free lunchtime concert - today's was a pianist and flutist from the US. Then down to the crypt again for lunch and a trip over to Leicester Square to check out the ticket situation for musicals Wednesday night. TKTS didn't have any bargains of interest so we paid a little more at a shop for tickets to 'Wicked'. We're seeing 'Les Miserables' at the 1000 Islands Playhouse next week and seeing it this week in London is not fair to them. And we're planning to see 'The Sound of Music' in Toronto, having cheered for our favourite Marias on CBC. So 'Wicked' it is.

Then down The Strand. This walk retraced for me the trip The Singer and I made a few years back - right by the restaurant and theatre where we ate and saw 'Chicago' - The Royal Courts of Justice - the Twinings Tea Shop - Temple Church - Old Bailey. On Fleet Street we stopped at 'Ye Old Cheshire Cheese' pub for a drink and fish and steak and ale pies and a quick sit in Charles Dickens' favourite seat beside the fire.

With renewed strength we headed down to St. Paul's - from here we walked across the Millenium Bridge and back along the Thames to the London Bridge tube station.

Back home, via Baron's Cross - we had to detour around the cemetery this time (gates closed by now) - seemed much longer but PetDoc says it's only a couple of minutes more.

Wednesday's itinerary is partially set - we have a tour of Buckingham Palace booked for 10 am and we're off to see 'Wicked' in the evening. Haven't decided about the hours in between, but I'm sure London has something to offer ...