Britain 09 - Day 37

Introduction

The drive on the M4 from Portsmouth to London was uneventful. At last we were getting rid of the rental car, once we had found the depot at Heathrow. Then we planned to take the Underground into central London, to Covent garden and walk the 2 blocks to our hotel, the Strand Palace. Dropping off the rental car was the easy part, even finding the Underground at Terminal 2 was not too difficult. But we then discovered that today being Sunday, half of the central lines were closed for maintenance and we could not go straight to Covent Garden. So we ended up on the Heathrow Express that took us to paddington, and from there we transferred to Waterloo. This was a reasonable option as it took us directly onto The Strand a few blocks from the hotel. But it was a tough walk pulling all of our luggage and accummulated purchases on a very hot afternoon. A short rest in the hotel and we were ready to attack the Covent Garden markets. Then a walk along to Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall to Parliament, over the Westminster Bridge, along the embankment past the London Eye and back across the Thames to The Strand.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden lies a block up the hill from the Strand Palace Hotel, so it was the obvious choice for Sunday afernoon. Despite the exorbitant prices at the food places, we decided on an outside table at Fuel for a drink and some lunch. That way we could watch the crowds and the performers. Then we browsed the market stalls - I think there was every intention of buying something from the place. In the end they settled on some nice pen and watercolour scenes of London, with the artist herself selling them. That settled the buying urges - somewhat.

"Cheers - we have finally made it to London"

Sheltering from the sun under the umbrellas at Covent Garden

Still happy to settle down with food and drink

Maybe I should buy some of these....

What does the artist recommend....

Perhaps I will take these...

Now I wonder which card still has credit on it.....

Can you wrap them up?

Crowds at the stalls

Trafalgar Square to Westminster

From Covent Garden we wandered along to Trafalgar Square. It was a warm, sunny afternoon and the crowds were thick. Then it was down Whitehall, past Defence, Downing St and on to Westminster Bridge to view the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. For some reason the bridge was closed to traffic so we were able to wander along the road to get a good view in the late afternoon sun.