Tues 15 Aug 19° Dulwich House Sit

Woke to another sunny day, perfect for our river trip today. Tony came back from Bessie and after breakfast  he went off to the doctor for his meds and Pat and I took the No.3 bus to Herne Hill, then the 37 to Peckham for a real trip down memory lane as we went to school there.

Pat has an amazing memory and remenised how the high street used to be, what shops were where...C & A department store was where the McDonald's is now, and at New Cross our Friday night trips with Mum and Dad when we were little to the butcher who held a meat auction.....I vaguely recalled these and many other memories she shared with me as we rode the bus back in time.

We got off the bus and were waiting for the 177 bus to Greenwich,  when it came from the other direction,  so had to dash across the road to catch it.....whewww...caused a laugh haha. Really living up to being tourists for the day,

When we got to Greenwich we went into the Royal Navel Museum, one of the few things that are free, very interesting. Then walked up the steep hill through Greenwich Park to the Observatory and the Greenwich Mean Time...now a Unesco World Heritage site.....there was a fee for this and as we had both seen and done everything years ago, decided to sit in the park and admire the view over the city.

Walked back down to the CuttySark,  also a fee  to go on board,  we spotted  a Pie and Mash shop, a very traditional  London meal usually with jellied or hot eels. Well this is a trip down memory lane.....be very rude not to......yum yum......

We walked under the foot tunnel from South to North Greenwich which goes under the river Thames, and back again.....good thing to do to walk off our lunch 😄

Caught the City Tours  boat for our trip up the river to Westminster,  stopping at the Tower of London at Tower Bridge.....which now has  a walkway under for pedestrians, also a fee and lots of steps to climb up each tower to get to the top.

We got off here and walked around the area, seeing  how it had changed, much more tourist oriented than we remember,  as with most places now trying to earn the Tourist dollar...well pound that is.

Pat said what we need now is a Weatherspoons......and as if like a honing device.....there was one right there.....1/2 pint each of local ale  then sat in the Trinity gardens with lovely views of the Tower of London just thinking of all its history,  pretty mind boggling.

Back to the ferry London Eye close up, but couldn't work out how the pods rotated, a real feat of engineering,  and Westminster, very good commentary by the boatmen, we stayed on board enjoying the relaxing pace and views of London from old father Thames back to Greenwich, a very special time for us, topping up our memory banks.

Waterloo Bridge built by women in the war when the men were away fighting....good job very well done.

Went into M & S for a few bits Pat got her salad for the coach home tomorrow then the 177 bus back to Peckham and 37 to Herne Hill,  walked back to the house.

Blackfliers bridge, only with with a station built on the bridge.

Selfie.....haha

Pat and I had walked 12,500 steps and Tony 24,000 steps, poor thing had a real hassle with the doctor but eventually got his prescription and part of his meds, has to go back tomorrow for the rest.

Relaxing with the dogs after his stressful day.

Ordered Chinese takeaway, rice for the dogs. Rang Jean for her  birthday,  Pat rang Les, he had been polishing Ruby with a special UV Polish to protect from the sun....good idea but he needs a day off tomorrow....overdid it a bit.....as you do. He will go for a ride on his electric bike.

Lovely, lovely day for sisters around London on our trip down memory lane.

Mon 14 Aug 17° Dulwich House Sit

Tony came back we had breakfast together, then Pat and I got the bus into Trafalgar Square, the fountains were being cleaned so no photo opportunity but noticed the absence of pigeons , it was actually clean with signs saying so not feed them,  went into the National Art Gallery.

We walked to Leicester Square had a coffee.

Then along The strand had a look around Somerset House, next to Kings College and met Jenna for Lunch. We enjoyed a delicious bream fillet with salad and ate it on the terrace overlooking the river and London Eye.

Then saw a sign for smoothies.....one was called Grape Escape...be rude not to have one,

Jenna walked with us to Waterloo Bridge then she went back to work. We walked down on to the embankment,  along through St James Park, past a park benches with sleeping Japanese family and arrived on time for our epm tour of Buckingham Palace.

Let sleeping Japs lie.....

We were in a very long queue, heading for an airport type security screening , our bags went througn an xray maching and we had to walk under a scanner, I got through but Pat set it off....she had her fit bit on....all good so we're given audio  guides and off we went.

Lots of the Queens gifts were on display from all around the world, including a large display from New Zealand.

Then a small display of Princess Diana's private things, chosen by Prince William and Prince Harry, everyone was filing past very slowly, taking their tome and taking it all in, quite moving.

At the end of the tour there was a lovely garden cafe, so Pat treated us to coffee and profiteroles with a little chocolate button with a gold crown on. The coffee was in very sturdy takeaway cups, so when we had finished we wiped them out with serviettes and hey presto, souvenirs.

The way out was through the garden and around the lawn a very nice end to the tour.

We caught the bus back to Victoria, topped up the oyster cards and got the train back. We started walking and beat the bus back to the house.

Tony had nibbles and a cold meat salad ready for us with boiled potatoes.

Had a catch up then Tony walked back to Bessie to go to bed.