There was a possibility of going to see Sam play soccer, but he wasn't sure which game he was going to be in or where, and also because the team they are playing has a habit of calling washouts.
So today I planned to go and see the last few things I wanted to see, go and visit a few familiar places that I've always liked to see when over here, and to just generally stroll and observe.
Rather than ride the rails, I decided to spend the day walking. It wasn't wet and rain wasn't forecast, so off I went. One thing I wasn't really prepared for though was the cold. Today has been freezing to say the least. It started cold and stayed cold. Even in my good winter threads and new coat I was rugged up, but it still got through. I brought a beanie with me but forgot to pack it this morning. That WILL NOT happen again!
And to think that Helsinki is going to be even colder than this.
But please don't think I'm complaining about the weather, I'm not. It is what it is and no amount of complaining will do anything about it.
As I was walking along the street I heard a young dad talking to his toddler son who was on his shoulders. It appeared that they were going to this huge place in the photos below where there was a dinosaur exhibition.
The discussion went like this:
Dad- "Ohh, look at that building, that's where the dinosaurs are"
Son - "But dad, you will be brave and look after me won't you?"
Dad - "I'm always brave for you"
I just turned and smiled, and the smile back from the dad was priceless. I've been there before with our boys and I know how precious these moments are.
Saturday morning and they are queuing up for the dinosaur display in South Kensington.
Further down the street and I was soon in Knightsbridge. I'm really surprising myself with being able to get around London and learn the layout, as previously I just followed my wife's directions.
She would have loved to be with me today, as I don't think we would have just walked past this store if she was with me!!
The last time we went into this store the heat was stifling, and despite the intense cold today, I wasn't going in.
A bit further on down the street and I had to consult my map as I was at a big intersection and didn't know which way to go. Imagine my surprise when I looked up to try and find some sort of a landmark or street name, and found this above me. So coincidental considering it is this beautiful girl's birthday today. Sadly we lost her a few years ago, she is always watching over us.
A bit more of a walk and I noticed the crowds were starting to build, and that I was near Buckingham Palace. I looked at my watch and realised I had rocked up at the time when the changing of the guards was due. Actually, I was about 40 mins early, but already the place was packed.
I managed to squeeze through the crowd, gave the thumbs up to Liz and Phil who were waving to me through a window while they were having a game of pool, and moved on towards the city.
Just some of the crowd to see the changing of the guard, didn't really grab me as I wanted to keep moving rather than stand around in the cold.
As I walked down The Mall towards Trafalgar Square, I was struck by the beauty of the English Winter. It was so cold, no leaves on the trees, yet it was still beautiful. These are the times I really try to soak up the atmosphere so that I remember these moments forever.
So I missed out on the changing of the Guard, but look what I encountered walking down The Mall, my own private viewing of some of the Guard heading off to do their thing.
Now I was in the part of London that I just never get sick of seeing. I could happily just sit and watch what is going on, but as it was so cold I had to keep moving.
Trafalgar Square is one of the best people watching places ever. It is a melting pot of people from all over the world. People rushing about, others just sitting and taking it all in, others madly getting every sort of photo possible, and all the time dodging the buses and intense traffic.
And there are just so many theatres in this area, and just strolling the streets is an experience in itself. There is so much to see that it can't all be seen in one hit. I must have walked up some streets a number of times.
Also, there are so many of the streets that we hear about in this area, so I made a point of checking them all out.
Regent Street. This is where the rich come to shop!!!
Going to see this with Sam when we get back from Helsinki. He says it is the funniest, but irreverent thing he has seen.
More of Regent Street.
By now it was time for lunch and I knew what I wanted. On previous trips we had discovered a shop called 'Whole Foods', who sell the most amazing healthy foods. I knew they had a store here in Piccadilly, so after a thorough search I eventually found it.
My wife will be extremely jealous that I have grabbed some food from here, so I made sure I sent her a photo, just to remind her how good it still is!!
I'm not one of those who posts photos of their meals, but for today I will. I piled some curries and stews and good old fashioned mashed potato into my tray and sat on the steps in Piccadilly Circus and ate it, loving every moment as the cold weather, combined with the experience made it so memorable.
Our favourite food place in London.
Might not look flash, but it was a meal fit for royalty ( not that I consider myself royalty at all !!)
Ever had a great stodgy meal in the freezing cold, and how comforting it is? This was it.
Back through Trafalgar Square and checked out the big demonstration that is a big issue over here about the Trident Missiles. Also, another protest crashed their party, this one was in support of the refugees. So much security wherever I looked.
A few pics of the protests against the Trident Missiles, and in favour of opening the borders to the refugees.
Trafalgar Square is just busy, busy, busy.
And some of the security parked behind the protests.
It has been a great, but very cold day. I have seen so much, in my own time, and this is why I will remember so much of what I have seen. Not rushing around has been so good as I have really been able to absorb the atmosphere, which was exactly what I was hoping to do.
Just got a message that the boy is heading around for some Father/Son time which will be great.
Hope he enjoys my cooking!My hotel room might just fit the two of us in, but once again, any time together is great time.
Great to have Sam pop around for tea after he played soccer today. Just to give you some idea of the size of my digs here in South Kensington, I took this photo from the kitchen, and you still cannot see the end of the bed/dining table!
Great to just have a few hours together, these are the moments that I will treasure from this trip the most.
Until my next post,
Cheers!
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