London.......

Success or Failure

We left my parents house nice and early on Monday morning and headed for the Smoke.. 45 minutes down the road, we spotted a large queue ahead of us and dived into the services just before we joined the back. McDonald's breakfast was the first order of the day, so we all piled in their for a bite to eat. Half an hour later, with full stomachs, we braved the M3 and to our surprised sailed through the roadworks with very little trouble.

The M3 turned into the 316 and it was time for our first sight of the day. Fortress Twickenham!!!! We only drove past it, but always good value when you see it. (As you can probably tell my game is Rugby)

We drove past Battersea dogs home and then the power station before we turned into the Market for our cheap parking spot for the day. Covent Garden Market parking is strictly for the customers of the markets, but after years of going in and out, I always thought their system was up for abuse. And I was right... £4 for an entire days parking... Result.

Sarah did moan about the walk to the tube station, but I had taken that into consideration, so was well prepared. (Good job it wasn't raining)

We bought our travel cards at Vauxhall Station and made our way to our first sight. Westminster.. We came out of the station, looked around, saw a building , tried to decipher what it was, couldn't, looked up and our questions were answered. BIG BEN....... Standing right next to it and couldn't see it, what a family of duffers...

Take a picture Sarah says I. OK says she. Wheres the camera says she... You had it says I... No I don't says she... What a pair of Muppet's, we left it in the car. There goes my cheap parking; got to buy a disposable camera now, from the robbing vendor over the road from the big clock. 10 poxy pound, this could really get expensive. Oh how I love London...

We crossed Westminster bridge and headed for the big wheel. I never really fancied this attraction, but am glad we went and did it. It only takes 30 mins to go around and about 60 mins to get tickets and queue. Not very good value for money, but the views are fantastic. We pointed out to the kids, all the different buildings using a photo map; spotted Buckingham Palace and made that our next destination.

When we got off we ate the pack-up my loving mother had made us, and then sat in the sun as the kids had a little run around in the park.

Jake had really been looking forward to pulling faces at the guardsmen, but they are all inside now and miles away, so he wasn't very impressed. We took a couple of pictures and then waited for the Queen to show her face out of one of the windows, but after a couple of minutes got bored and started making our way down the Mall towards Horseguards. We stopped for ice cream and enjoyed watching a pelican attack everyone in its vicinity.

We passed the Treasury and made our way to number 10. Got to stand next to a big black gate and look down Downing Street, but all you can see is number 12. What a load of rubbish.....

With tired feet, we crossed the road and boarded the number 87 bus to take us back to Vauxhall. On route we passed Westminster Abbey and the MI6 building (didn't see 007) and I walked back to the car, with Jake, as the girls all looked pretty knackered.

I changed the route out of London (due to traffic), so Jake didn't get to see Wembley. I suppose though, he wouldn't have seen a lot through closed eyelids. Everybody was asleep before the north circular and I had another 3 1/2 hours to drive.

We stopped for a lovely dinner in Grantham and finally got home at 2100. The kids went straight to bed and I collapsed on the sofa. It was a great day and the kids now have memories of their capital city to take with them to Canada.....