Days 3

Day 3 (Photos)

Tuesday had two objectives. First up was a cycling outing early (it was very cold) to Box Hill. I had heard rumours that England had hills but never really believed that it was true. So after some planning from Guy (map planning not GPS or Sat nav's), we headed off to Box Hill. about 2,5 km of 5% gradient. Awesome stuff. To get the we rode some of the most amazing country side I have ever seen. Super green with the biggest sheep I have ever seen! We hit the bottom of the hill and I had to do it as hard as I could so I hit it hard. I had left my heart rate monitor at home - this was the reason. The hill was awesome! Switch backs and everything! Guy rode it at his own pace. I managed to get up in less than 10 minutes. At the top we stopped and looked out over the valley - really beautiful. we then cruised home for breakfast. I did not feel great on the way back - Such an effort on an empty stomach and my tank was empty. I made it home okay though.

Secondly, the Tower of London. Carrie had also arranged to meet her friend Corinne (she and her husband, Jon live in Oxford and make it a day trip down to see us for the day). It also decided to rain that day. We headed off to the tower and met the Betts in Starbucks. Starbucks is my new favourite coffee but unfortunately up until now there is no outlet in Durban. The Tower of London was very interesting and we got a very short tout with a 'beefeater' who are actually volunteers who have to have been a certain rank in the army and served a number of years. I think we did not give the tower enough time - we visited most things including the Crown Jewels, but I do not think we had a good enough plan to get around the place. It was very interesting and also quite busy, despite the rain. There is so much history in such a small area.

The crown jewels, for me at least, were not a great spectacle. They are spectacular but maybe I expected more. The line was so long and snaked through about 3 or 4 rooms before we got to see the jewels. We could not take any photos (obviously for security reasons) which may have added to the 'let down' for me. Do not get me wrong here - they were awesome but I think the wait got to me a bit.

We had lunch at the tower restaurant which was good and then headed off to London Bridge. This was really impressive. It was impressive from the river but as impressive up close. Everything is steeped in history and this was no exception.

We had little time to spend elsewhere this day as we had to get home. The rush was to get home so we could get ready for the evening out at a show. We headed off to dinner first at a great little place called 'Giraffe'.

Day 4 (Photos)

Day 4 was an amazing day weather wise and we set off early to do more touristy stuff! First up - The London eye. The queue was miles long so we sent half of us to get tickets while we stood in the queue only find out that we could not keep a place for someone. We sat to have coffee - nice but not cheap! We then joined the queue (with the coffee). We got half way through the queue and past 2 check points to find out we could not take any drinks on! This was purely because of 'security' but really it was because they were selling drinks! The eye never stops moving (apart from when closed and for wheelchairs etc to get on) so you have to move fairly quickly to get on. The ride is amazing and the views are even better.

We then hit the streets walking taking in the tourist spots. We saw Big Ben up close and then Westminster Abbey from the outside - like 25 pounds to get in! Its huge and really impressive. Across the road there was a protest for the war in the middle east. People we camping in a park! what they were trying to prove - who knows! We walked past 10 Downing Street (home of the PM). I thought that you could walk past the door but clearly I was wrong. It is not really that impressive anyway. Just down the road is Trafalgar square. Really nice to sit and watch people walking past. The fountain was impressive along with the massive ship in a bottle.

We then headed off to get lunch and went via SOHO - some interesting shops in the sex lines there! We hit Subway for lunch and then started shopping. Lilly whites, GAP etc for a various assortment of stuff. Carrie got a bag from GAP - surprising as we never go into the store! While my dad was looking at shops, we split up and went to Carnaby street - a really cool place. No cars as the streets are all 'pedestrianised'. So a vibey place with all sorts of shops.

We then hit the Nike store - only to find out it was closed for renovation until 4 pm that day - this was the time we left. We left to walk down Oxford street. This is where we saw and experienced our first departmental store. We also found the Thorntons Toffee shop!! Carrie loves Thortons toffee. Guy wanted to buy sunglasses s owe landed up in the Oakley store in Covent gardens. Covent gardens also a pedestrian orientated place. They have street performers doing there thing and restaurant in the street and an undercover market type area. Very cool indeed. We also found the Disney store - everything that is Disney was in that shop!

The evening was booked to be one out for dinner at Brick Lane in London. Brick Lane is notorious for their curry. Being Durbanites we had to see if it was decent or not. The only problem is that Carrie and JC do not eat curry. We went and as you walk along the road they have like sales reps outside selling you offers to get you into their restaurant. i have no idea what we got offered but it involved free rounds of drinks. The curry was too hot for Carrie and JC and everyone was sweating by the time we left.

After about 14 hours in London - it was nice to get home.