Hi All,

Before I launch into our first full day, a call out to PETA or Chad for assistance please? Because we aren't saving to the computer, only the iPad, I can't upload my pics into the blog. Can you assist with simple instructions for how I can do this please ?

We started our day very early at 6 am with the effects of jet lag well with us. We had the streets to ourselves as we wandered around Kensington. The buildings tall and detailed followed the gentle curve of the streets. It was extremely quiet and the only noise was the sound of a periodic double decker red bus approaching through a light early morning mist. The imposing Albert Hall opposite the beautiful Kensington Gardens another of many examples of buildings rich in modern history but to us newbies in the colonies they seem so old and permanent.

Before undertaking a touring orientation of the place, we headed to Convent Garden and I nearly gasped (and we gasped a lot on this first day) as we walked around the corner, there was the very building that Professor Higgins comes out of and is propositioned by Eliza Doolittle to buy a floral arrangement for ha'penny.

We jumped on the touring bus and got a tremendous sense of the place. The Incredibly casual sense of commentary about all these major places, historical events and people hides a huge pride in their country's achievements and frankly it was awesome. These blokes could really build serious architecture and the statues commemorating their heroes and achievements are just stunning installations. My personal fave is a brilliant statute of Winston Churchill that just conveys the burden of state in his shoulders and stance as he stoically looks towards France wrapped in a bulky old coat.

We took an aquatic turn and headed up the Thames on the boat. The river is tidal and the level varies 7 meters from low to high tide. As we headed towards Tower Bridge, we learnt of Judge Jeffries aka The Hanging Judge. A real charmer! His job was to deal out justice to pirates who were very active on the Thames in days of yore. Not content to imprison these blokes, Judge Jeffries, would have the convicted pirates spiked, shackled and placed at the river's edge at low tide and then wait for the tide to drown the poor bastards. A pirate was not declared dead
until after two tides. But that wasn't the only questionable bit re tough sentencing, the Judge used to sit on the opposite bank of the Thames at a pub having a pint and watching the pirates drown - as I said, a real charmer!!

The south bank area home to groovy warehouse apartment conversions, brash new eateries and galleries is the nouveau riche area. For mine, I prefer the purpose built architecture of the established areas. We continued on past the Tower onto Greenwich - a startlingly beautiful township with the Royal Naval College, zero meridian and yet another great pub called Trafalgar overlooking the Thames and the new Olympic Stadium. Lots of work being done all across London with scaffolding on some key buildings get a wash and blow wave in time for the olympics. A minor criticism though in despite being a stunningly simple and accessible city to get around, they don't have enough public loos and the ones they do have you have to pay 50p to use -totally outrageous we think.

We headed back and scooted past where Maggie Thatcher lives, where used to live at 10 Downing Street, and the street that was copied for Mary Poppins. Just perfect. Cherry tree Lane or something similar. These places are so familiar and etched in our consciousness from either school, media or movies that you view them with a strange sense of deja vu despite never having been there before.

Into Soho we head, to end our first day. Our first pub that we see with all the patrons on the footpath smoking is kind of like the Laird with English accents , all jeans and flannel shirts and gay boys of a certain ilk. Oh and a scary fashion tip that may be heading our way, lots of men sporting what can only be described as The Freddie Mecury Look!!!! Short hair, Moustache and big sideburns..........uuuugggghhhhh!

Was intrigued by a restaurant called Hummus Bros with the tag line "Give Peas a Chance" but decided to head to a bar instead. Quelle surprise I hear you say........

Till next time

Love

K&S