Up early to get the train to London. I had an off peak ticket which meant I could only get certain trains and hopped on the first one I was allowed on and then hopped off again because it was a rural one that stopped at every station between Ipswich and London. The proper train was 15 minutes later so got that and it only stopped twice. The train was comfortable and took about an hour and 10 minutes. It brought back memories because I used to commute from Ipswich to London every week day for about 3 years. 2 hours door to door each way, so 4 hours of every day spent travelling. What a waste of time.
Bought a daily tube ticket (the tube is the name of the underground) because a ticket to the stop I wanted was £4.30, but a daily was £12.25 and gave me more flexibility. The current exchange rate is about double – so the ticket cost about $24 aud.
Entered the station to announcements that the Central and Piccadilly lines were experiencing delays, but the tube is amazing – trains run every minute. As soon as one leaves the station it isn’t long before another appears. I’d decided to get off at Tottenham Court Road, an old stamping ground, but there was another announcement that the station was closed. What a lot of people don’t realise is how compact the centre of London is. I got off at Oxford Circus instead and walked down Regent Street, into Piccadilly Circus and from there to Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Trafalgar Square is just around the corner. The weather was overcast and a bit cold, about 10c.
Stopped off for a beer at a pub called The Punch and Judy, one of the many London pubs where I spent more time (and money) than I should have when I worked here.
Feeling a bit hungry I headed for a burger place called Byron (I told you there would be more burgers), a small chain that was getting rave reviews. I have to say they were decent enough but not spectacular.
Just about managed to fit through the door on the way out and went for a walk around.
Down a lane past the Savoy Hotel to the Thames, along the embankment towards the Houses of Parliament, took some photos of Big Ben (did you know Big Ben is the name of the bell, not the clock?). Carried on walking past Downing Street where the Prime minister lives. There were a bunch of protesters exercising their inalienable right to chant, wave banners and shout about an issue that, frankly, nobody else really cares about. These were farmers protesting about the smell of cows or something.
Carried along the road and found myself in Trafalgar Square, just down the road from Covent Garden where I’d started. Feeling a bit weary, decided to get to the hotel – The Union Jack Club, a place set up for British servicemen. My Dad was in the Royal Navy and family can stay there. The prices are cheap for London and it’s probably about the equivalent of a 3 or 4 star hotel. Decided to chill out, recharge the literal and metaphorical batteries and head out later to experience London by night.
Left around 18:00, took the tube to Tottenham Court Road which was open now and emerged into a sea of people. I didn’t recognise it – they’ve levelled a huge amount of land and are rebuilding.
Walked along Oxford Street for a bit and then down through Soho and into Piccadilly Circus, then past Fortnum and Masons to The Ritz. Stared at the rich people for a while then took another tube back to Leicester Square.
I forgot to mention – there are quite a few people in London. Every restaurant was packed, the pubs had people standing outside drinking, some places had people queuing to get in. And this was a Wednesday night.
I decided I didn’t need dinner so just went into a cafe for a hot chocolate. I was thinking of a beer but wanted somewhere quiet and I doubted I could find a quiet pub so headed back to the hotel.
Spoke to Song again and we’ve decided we will go to Belgium. We won’t let the terrorists win! Actually we just can’t be bothered to change the plans, plus we’re travelling in France and staying in Paris – the chances of getting caught up in something is slim and the alternative is to stay home and lock the doors and never go anywhere.
Not sure what to do tomorrow – I fancy a museum but can’t decide between the British Museum, the Natural History, the Science or the Victoria and Albert.
