chapter 3 in this overseas jaunt finds us in london for 2 days
nothing in particular planned except to make the most of it
we're staying in the leafy and comfortable western suburb of chiswick
spent some time there in my relative youth so it's good to be back
a new late model double-decker bus to the train station and catch a train
mid-morning so seats available as we are whisked to waterloo station
and here the momentum cranks up a notch or 2 as we enter the tube
the need to click fairly quickly into the mechanism of this system
people are scurrying in all directions and tourist status is irrelevant
a sense and need to act quickly and effectively to maintain the flow
have the target line and direction well in mind and read the signs
pick the correct corridor, escalator, staircase and direction
remain calm and confident and the reward is anonymity
just another of the millions using this system on a daily basis
up we come at london bridge station and the famous borough market
it's all about food and a vast selection of stalls of international tastes
a mouth-watering array of choice for a couple of hungry foodies
we settle on some cajun style fish washed down with turkish coffee
and then set forth on foot to take in some more london sights
cross the thames using blackfriar's bridge and a stroll along the river
we stroll - they run - many fleet street professionals on a fitness regime
our walk of 3km enough justification for a guinness at the first pub we spot
a very pleasant stroll amongst the buskers and street artists of covent gardens
people everywhere - no respite from the busy-ness of it all - take it or leave it
we are clicking into the rhythm of it so agree on taking another tube trip
under the thames and coming up at westminster right under big ben
a stroll around the houses of parliament and a giggle at the bobbies
surely the most photogenic selected to stand guard at the entrance
as tourists insist on being photographed with this british icon
we head to downing street but alas can not get too close
so using our oyster cards we jump on to a double-decker
and off to the shopping area around oxford circus
no sign of gfc hangover or recessions here
just a lot of people and a lot of shops
lots of yellow plastic bags also - selfridges
so a visit to that huge store out of curiousity
next - taxi - we need to complete the travel experience
so off to soho - theatre district - lots of shows on offer
once - let the right one in - thriller - dirty rotten scoundrels
plenty of employment opportunities for nephew james t
we pass on the show as the tummies are rumbling
chinatown in striking distance and needing a visit
relatively quiet there so we pick a restaurant
enjoy a familiar meal then reverse it all
drop into the tube/train system
and back to chiswick
phew - lon-done
