Day 29. July 13 London
London was the next stop. A quick trip on the Eurostar train under the English Channel and into London 90 minutes after leaving Paris. Although we had booked a taxi the night before, no one would come and get us as the trip was only across the city. We walked about 1 km (with out 17 items of luggage) until we finally found one. The Eurostar station was very futuristic and more like an airport then a railway station.
We went out and ate some awesome fish and chips at the nearby Waterloo Pub then went back for a nanna nap. We hadn’t had one since the cruise ship and needed it!
Day 30. July 14 London
We started off the morning travelling around London on another HOHO. As was expected it was spectacular. We were in London after all and there was just a bit to see!
We saw many of the places we could see for the bedroom, as well as the first hospital, the Thames. we saw London buses, red phone boxes and ‘city loos’. 
This museum houses over seven million items, Objects like the Rosetta Stone, 75 metres of the Parthenon Freese, one million coins and medal, many items of pre-history as well as art and history from every continent (well not Antarctica)..
The collection of scientific instruments included items that we could play with – sextant, a Mesopotamia pillow (made of wood) and some stone tools.
We found a great coffee shop. It was called the Cinnamon Bar and had glass topped tables with kilos of cinnamon in each case. Many thousands of dollars worth.
Back on the HOHO we saw many more iconic London sights including the Marble Arch. Oh and the Marble Arch. We also saw the Marble Arch. And the Marble Arch.
We saw Hyde Park, Speakers Corner, The Horse Guards, No 10 Dowling St, Buckingham Palace, Nelson’s Column. And some great graffiti One was a sigh saying “William loves Kate”. And a genuine Banks piece – “Made you Look”.
One unexpected sight , across from Hyde Park, on a residential second floor balcony, was a fox.
Next we ventured into Harrods, and Oh, What an experience!
The world’s most famous luxury department store. The store covers a five acre site and has over one million square feet of space in 330 different departments. The motto of the shop is “Ominia Omnibus Ubique” – “All things for all people”. And there did seems to be all things for all people, although it appeared they no longer sell lions. The store was sold in 2010 to Qatar Holding (ie the country of Qatar), The sale was such a big deal that the Qatari Prime Minister flew out to finalise the deal. 
There were floors and floors packed with things we couldn’t afford.The stand out parts would have been the toy section with near life sized rocking horses (or ponies) and huge stuffed hipp and lion toys. Staff wandered around playing with toys and just showing them to shoppers. The other section that got our attention was the art section, silver table sculptures for a couple of thousand pounds and other objects that belonged in art galleries.
We then went to the food court, the first place we found anything that we could afford, and got some chocolates and then decided to have a quick bite of sushi. It was a classy little joint, where chefs from Japan made sushi in front of you. It was much like some of the places we went to in Japan. Though not quite as good. We had four individual pieces and a roll each, and a coke and a water, just enough to enjoy but without being full. So it was a huge shock when we got the bill, in fact we nearly chocked. It all added up to a whooping 75 pounds ad ninety pence. About $130 Australian.
Next was a trip up the Thames to Greenwich. We had to go to “The first and last place on earth”, Greenwich has two claims to fame. The Prime Meridian ie 0 degrees longitude – thus being the first and last place on earth. The meridian passes through the Royal Observatory.
And Greenwich Mean Time or Mean Solar Time also at the Royal Observatory. The mean time does not correspond to anything obvious like the movement of the sun across the meridian.
But is was the journey not the destination that was amazing. The architecture along the river was sensational – London Tower to ultra modern buildings and all in between. And the house apartments were seriously nice.
From there we headed back to the hotel worth our wallets substantially lighter thanks to the sushi bar. The out to a cheap dinner and bed!
We made our way to Buckingham Palace in high spirits, for the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony. One of the most famous ( and apparently a must do) attraction. The square outside the palace was packed with thousands of people all waiting. They were very entertaining. From the very slightly odd American couple who sat behind us, to the many idiots who kept climbing onto the giant lions for a better view.
The real attraction were the mounted police working the crowds. Their horses were all heavy hunters who could win a Hunter class at any Aussie show.
They got right into the action. If people did not respond to the verbal orders of the police to clear a path, they would clear one by riding through the crowd. Then the people were willing to move.
The lion climbing fools were constantly being told to “….Git Doon!…” Each person seemed surprised to be told that this prime, elevated position had not been saved especially for them.
Good thing the crowd was entertaining because the ceremony was not. Men in big hats and red coats following some dudes with drums paraded into the gates and stood and faced another group of men in big hats and red coats. They walked in a few circles and turned around and seemed to do something organised, though we couldn’t recognise a pattern. Some set up music stands, and started to have a little jam session with their drums. And this was all seen fro a far off position and through the heads of thousands and through big black gates. Odd.
In any case, we had officially seen the Changing to the Guards, and had not been as impressed as we were in Athens.
We set off on a stroll down through the parks,
…down the Mall and through the parks to the Horse Guards. As we walked, the guards (that had just changed) march by. This time we got a fabulous view. Travel tip – Dont go to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Wait for a close up on The Mall.
The parks were lovely, with ponds and trees and green everywhere. And so many people – tourists and locals. There were lots of school kids having lunch It was all very London. With the hire deck chairs that locals use at lunch time.
That night we went to HMV Apollo and saw comedian Dylan Moran Very funny!
Day 32. July 16, Portobello Road Markets, London
We were drenched, Carrying our shopping in soggy shopping bags.
We let four hours later, and only because we ran out of money and couldn’t find an ATM. We had to ask the cab driver to go via an ATM.
BEST MARKETS EVER!!!
But there was more to be done. We needed another case. As we walked through the ever so trendy streets of London, a number of very trendy looking guys, all on different occasions, commented to Sarah on her new Bowler hat.
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Stonehenge
Edinburgh
The Scottish Highlands
Welsh Ponies
Hurling
Bru na Bonnie
The Colosseum
The streets of Roma
Parthenon
Ephesus
Athens
Mediterranean Sea
The Fish Spa
The Moulin Rouge
Tour de Eiffel
London
Les Miserables
Our extreme luck at dodging crowds
and
Portobello Road Markets.
WOW!!!!!
Of course, on the flight home one of the topics of conversation was where to go next. We arrived home and started planning.
Africa was the winner. We had learnt a lot about using Qantas points and this time were using all points not upgrades and $$$. We looked at dates and some places and got some ideas together. When we found suitable points flights and were advised to ‘book them now’ we did.
It was almost part way through her second week back at school when Raina walked into the boss with an application of Long Service Leave for the following year. He almost had a heart attach until he learnt that it was in 11 months time.
So next June we fly to Africa for three weeks South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zanzibar. “Zim-Zam-Bits-Nam and Sth Africa”. Rabies shots next week so Sarah can pat the monkeys.
