As i’m going on an epic travel adventure, Ems is in town to hang out with me. Today we went on a visit to London to be tourists! There’s just something lovely about being a tourist in your own town.
We began our little London adventure with a sneaky tea in the station café. Always a great start to any adventure.
Once at Euston, we decided to start with the Victoria and Albert Museum, starting with the ‘Fashion’ section. Here the museum looks at the history of Houte Couture and clothing through the ages. I found it interesting to note that the clothing from the 20’s and 30’s and right up until the 60’s are not as tiny as fashion examples from today. Where did this idea of a skeletal model and tiny sample sizes come from? The dresses that are on display in the V&A are average sizing, probably a size 12-ish and they look amazing!
Following the fashion section we took in the sculptures and jewellery, theatre and performance, silver and modern design. We walked around a wide range of different exhibitions and displays. My favourite today were the sculptures.
When we had decided that we were hungry enough, we went to the grassy John Madjeski Garden in the centre of the V&A and sat and ate our packed lunch to the sound of lots of children paddling in the fountain! It was quite sunny, but I wouldn’t have said it was warm enough for a paddle. I think that’s the granny in me.
After a morning of being really rather cultured we took a leisurely stroll up into Hyde Park and on towards Buckingham Palace via Harrods. As we walked through the park we came across what we think is the seating area for the Open Water Swimming…there was a lot of purple and pink. We also found the Olympic Shop and had a mosey around. I was quite tempted to get a little running shirt, but thought that I should probably be saving my money really…
We got to Buckingham Palace and had a little sit to take in the sunshine and all of the people. It was busy around the Victoria Memorial, with crowds of people basking in the glorious sunshine. The Mall was closed due to a ‘VIP’ coming out of St James Palace. We think it was Prince Harry…but we didn’t see him (well couldn’t be bothered to wait)…so we went off to Trafalgar Square!
The statues have all been given hats! It was quite a sight. What a great job that must have been. Can you imagine trying to think of which hats to place onto which statues?!
After a moment of choosing where to go next, we decided to travel to St Pauls and walk across the Millennium Bridge and down towards Tower Bride. My god did we walk! We walked for MILES. We walked to St Pauls, over the Millennium Bridge and along the Thames, walking past The Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London Bridge and up to Tower Bridge, seeing the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. We also could see the Shard! Blimey!
We chose to get the DLR from Tower Gateway to Royal Victoria in order to catch the Emirates ‘Air Line’ as I’ve never been on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). I was quite impressed. It was efficient, clean and had amazing views!
Eventually we arrived at the O2 Arena (or the North Greenwich Arena as it is being refered to at the moment for the Olympics…they can’t have O2 affiliation as they’re not sponsoring anything at the Olympics) and found our way to Euston and to our train…which was supposed to leave London at 2104, but didn’t actually leave until 2134…huh? What is that about?!
Overall we had a lovely sunny day in the city amongst many Olympic niceties!
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