Day 31 – London
Sadly our last day in London. Sad, as there’s still so much to do and see. I am looking forward to being home.
To make the most of it, we seized the day for a last stroll through Hyde Park, hanging with the squirrels, before strolling down Oxford St. I was feeling a bit foot weary, so thought we could catch a few buses around, from Marble Arch down to Trafalgar Sq, but L wanted to walk, knowing we’d be sitting on planes for the next day. So we compromised. We walked to Regent St, via Selfridges so L could have a Lola gluten free cupcake (a delayed birthday cake). Caught the bus down Regent Street, where we stopped at Piccadilly to get tickets for tonight’s showing of Jersey Boys in the West End.
From Picadilly Circus we strolled down to Trafalgar Sq, saw Nelson, then down Whitehall to have a peek at the Horseguards and Downing St. Not only can’t the door to number 10 not be opened from the outside, there’s bugger-all chance anyone can enter the street, guarded with tooled up police, roadblocks and big arse gates. I didn’t look up to see if there were rooftop snipers too, but wouldn’t be surprised (note to self, next time look up).
Further down Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament, with their accompanying statues, police, protesters and tourists. We’d arranged to meet the elegant AA in a nearby pub for lunch, so went searching for the right back street. A moment of hilarity was had when Big Ben struck one — we heard the chimes and then thought we’d missed the hour bells in the noise of the street, until a huge BONG filled the air and rumbled the ground.
Had a wonderful lunch with AA, pie chips, mushy peas and a pint of Bombadier. Discussed books and publishing trends and dogs and living in London and life in general. Then we left him to the pub’s wifi and wandered over to Westminster Abbey.
L baulked a little at the 16 pound entry charge, but of all the places in London, I think this one is the most worth it. Walking the amazing halls of history, standing next to kings and queens (long passed, but it’s still the only way i’m ever likely to be among such company). Stepping among the graves and memorials of great artists, scientists and thinkers. Paying my respects to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Standing before the chair where almost every English monarch has been crowned. While my views of an Australian republic rise and fall, in the Abbey I am a monarchist, I find it impossible not to be. My views may change outside the door, but not when I’m inside.
From the Abbey it was time to head back to the hotel via an unusual event. For no reason I could fathom, there were a number of folk dressed up in cheap regalia and wearing Elizabeth II masks, opposite the Houses of Parliament. Our attention was drawn to these by singing — at first I thought it was a group of drunk louts chanting something unsavoury, and then realised they were singing “God Save the Queen” to the figures. They were probably drunk louts, but I found it charming to be in a country where these things happen, and where even drunken louts know the national anthem and would sing it in such a place.
Quick stop at the hotel before heading out to meet L, have a curry at the Bay of Bengal in Soho, opposite the theatre, meet L’s boy, and catch the show. Curry was good, lots of yummy flavours though the palak paneer was a little different to what I’m used to.
Jersey Boys was a fabulous show, lots of big tunes and fun for all. Strong actors with strong voices, it entertained. The slightly more mature folks sitting in front of us were going off, I was worried they might be overdoing things for people of their age, but nothing stopped them.
Then it was back on the tube, and back to the hotel to pack for tomorrow’s departure.