Back in London Town

I thought that perhaps my lack of enthusiasm towards Paris could be due to seeing too many big European cities of late.  But no, as soon as we stepped out of St Pancreas Station onto the streets of London that ennui vanished.  Despite the weather, despite the expense, despite the inequality; London is special.

 

 It was great to see Pam and Nicole again in their flat in Southfields.  We happily settled into our little corner of their London home.  As this was our third visit to London in a year, I was content to take it pretty easy and just hang out with the girls and relax in the flat for a day or two.  By the end of the week we were ready to see the sights.  Pam had the afternoon off so we met her at her work, briefly meeting some of her colleagues and students.  We walked through Kensington Gardens and Kensington Parade with its exclusive houses and embassies (no photos allowed) on our way to the Natural History Museum.  London is such a great walking city with little treasures to be found around every corner.

Outside Kensington Palace while Pam looks for Pokemons!

Albert Memorial

Like father, like daughter

Dinosaurs!

On the weekend we went to Kew Gardens followed by a drink at the Roebuck in Richmond overlooking the Thames.  It was beautiful weather and England at its best.

 

 

 

Bubble bees - not something you see in Australia

Having fun on the logs

The beehive in Kew Gardens - the huge metal structure is a bit jarring amongst the flowers

Enjoying a drink at the Roebuck...

...with this view

With the girls back at work, Bob and I took the tube into the city to check out the Temple area – the land of Rumpole and John Mortimer.  We saw plenty of suits but no one in a rumpled Mac looking like Rumpole.  We had a glass of Chateau Thames Embankment at the pub that was the inspiration for Pomeroys and imagined the buzz of English ‘justice’ in the making (hah!).

Entrance to the Temple

Camouflage Bentley!

Ah wonderful London.  Next stop the English countryside.