We did an organised ships tour that left promptly at 7.45 on a lovely coach, our guide was Eddie and our super driver was Angus. The tour was called London by Land and Sea.
Today is VE Day in the UK, and also the results of the elections, both of which made the city of London as busy as stink.
We travelled along the M2 motorway, and passed Rochester Castle, Charles Dickens childhood stamping ground. next we passed Bexley, where the Rolling Stones got their break. The countryside is so beautiful, Tudor style homes, rolling green meadows, Canola fields, all make this a visual feast.
Eddie made mention of the Beatles, and the Abbey Road cover, the Volkswagen mob chased down the VW that was in the photo, and paid the owner £25000 to put the car in their museum. It was about 15 times its value, wish it was my Herbie!!!
As we approached the outer limits of London we went through the Greenwich Tunnel to the East End, that flippin tunnel went for ever, all the way under the river Thames. It was built 130 years ago...what a mighty feat. It has bends in it so the horses didn't get spooked and run for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Warren was the efficient note taker and has mentioned the Canary Wharf, but we can't remember why!! Next was another tunnel, the Limelink tunnel, and crossed back under the river. Never can get enough tunnels in my day!
We came out at the London Tower Bridge, it's a 1000 years old.
Eddies snippets...1066 was the battle of Hastings, 1666 was the Great London Fire, 1966 was the year England won the Soccer...
Our tour included a cruise on the River Thames, that lasted an hour, and was pretty good, we got to see so much ... The London Eye, Big Ben, StPauls, ... Just jaw dropping sights, again hard to believe we are lucky enough to be here. We missed out on a good photo possy up top, but we still had a good view, and a nice wine for me and a crappy beer for Wazza!
We had an hour to spend sight seeing, Karen searched out Starbucks for wifi, we searched out a traditional English Pub. It's called the Liberty Bounds. We were not disappointed with our find. We had a quick drink, again blown away by the fact we were smack bang in the middle of the "Old Dart"
The English are keen on the "f bomb".. Thought the Aussies were bad!!!
We saw Waterloo Bridge, and station, Sherlock Holmes Pub, St Paul's Cathedral, and a walk around Buckingham Palace. The Queen was home, and I am sure she
Peeped out the window and gave us a Royal Wave. It's Ornate, huge and amazing... Very poor words to describe what we saw!
I took a zillion photos, but seem to mostly get heads in the way, never mind, we will remember what we saw. Manners are not common form on a tour.
I am first and screw you Jack!
There are loads more wonderful landmarks we saw today. Just fantastic.
Yes, again, life is good to us, and we appreciate every day, and treasure every minute.
Our coach back to the ship was a bit slow, with a traffic snarl, but we arrived exactly on time at 5.30 pm. Sail away was late, some coach drivers didn't have Super Driver skills!
We skipped dinner, like that will kill us, and had a few sundowners while we sailed past the White Cliffs of Dover to the beautiful Vera Lynn song. Emotional to say the least
Amsterdam here we come.
The beauty of cruising is the wonderful friends we make, tomorrow we are so lucky to be reunited with two great Dutchies, they are meeting us at the wharf, and we are so excited to have them show us beautiful Amsterdam.
Tonight's weather is pretty bleak, but after a mild day, we are not complaining.
Still travelling with good Karma.
And good health.
Happy Mothers Day to all the mummies, and I wish viber could message my mum.
Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mum and my beautiful mum in law in Heaven.I had several very sad moments again today. Always will I guess.
Watch this space for Amsterdam, and the HIP HIP HOORAY Oosterdam reunion!!
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