P - London

Day 30. July 15  London

Changing of the Guards

We made our way to Buckingham Palace in high spirits, for the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony. One of the most famous ( and apparently a must do) attraction. The square outside the palace was packed with thousands of people all waiting. They were very entertaining. From the very slightly odd American couple who sat behind us, to the many idiots who kept climbing onto the giant lions for a better view.

The real attraction were the mounted police working the crowds. Their horses were all heavy hunters who could win a Hunter class at any Aussie show. 

They got right into the action. If people did not respond to the verbal orders of the police to clear a path, they would clear one by riding through the crowd. Then the people were willing to move. 

The lion climbing fools were constantly being told to "....Git Doon!..." Each person seemed surprised to be told that this prime, elevated position had not been saved especially for them.

Good thing the crowd was entertaining because the ceremony was not. Men in big hats and red coats following some dudes with drums paraded into the gates and stood and faced another group of men in big hats and red coats. They walked in a few circles and turned around and seemed to do something organised, though we couldn't recognise a pattern.  Some set up music stands, and started to have a little jam session with their drums. And this was all seen fro a far off position and through the heads of thousands and through big black gates. Odd.

In any case, we had officially seen the Changing to the Guards, and had not been as impressed as we were in Athens. 

We set off on a stroll down through the parks, 

down the Mall and through the parks to the Horse Guards.  As we walked, the guards (that had just changed) march by. This time we got a fabulous view. Travel tip - Dont go to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Wait for a close up on The Mall.

The parks were lovely, with ponds and trees and green everywhere. And so many people - tourists and locals. There were lots of school kids having lunch It was all very London. With the hire deck chairs that locals use at lunch time.

That night we went to HMV Apollo and saw comedian Dylan Moran Very funny!

Day 32. July 16  London

Portobello Road Markets

We thought we would go to the markets for an hour or so. Then the rain started. This was serious rain. It poured. We were drenched. But it didn't slow us down. They had everything at these markets.

Old and new, Arts, Crafts, clothing, food and more food. Sarah bought - a bowler hat, a leather jacket, shoes and of course jewellery. 

We bought food, scarves, presents, more food, umbrellas and more umbrellas.  

We were drenched, Carrying our shopping in soggy shopping bags.

We let four hours later, and only because we ran aout of money and couldn't find an ATM. We had to ask the cab driver to go via an ATM.

BEST MARKETS EVER!!!

But there was more to be done. We needed another case. As we walked through the ever so trendy streets of London, a number of very trendy looking guys, all on different occasions, commented to Sarah on her new Bowler hat. 

After a last supper in London, we headed back to the West End to see the Lion King. The sadly back to the hotel to collect our gear and into yet another cab if to Heathrow. The night at Heathrow was spent paying tetras with out suitcases, trying to fit our luggage into an appropriate amount of bags and then we slept.