Sightseeing with Mum

She just can't be trusted.

I had been in London for a couple of hours. It is not hard to follow the signs to find a train or switch lines on the tube to reach your destination. Especially not with a bag with the underground map on it. Thanks KP! However, I did struggle when I popped out of the station at Highbury/Islington. Hardly surprising that finding my bearings was a challenge with only 3 or 4 hours sleep since I left NZ. Anyway, after a long walk dragging my heavy suitcase in the wrong direction I hailed a taxi. A short trip later I was at the Highbury Centre where we were staying for a couple of nights.

I had time for a shower before Mum, Dad and Em arrived from Cambridge. Then as soon as they did I was keen for lunch. So we set off down to Highbury and found a nice little cafe. Mum decides that time is of the essence so during lunch she plots a sightseeing adventure. With directions from the cafe staff we set off for Baker St on the tube. We purchase tickets for the Original Tour and hop on the open aired bus. This takes us in loops around London to see some of the famous sights - St Paul's cathedral, the Globe theatre, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge etc. This is all very well but remember, when we left we were heading out for lunch. I have no warm clothes and no camera! The Original Tour was a quick way to get a glimpse of what London has to offer. There are a number of options - Original Tour , Sightseeing Tour & Museum Tour. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and you are free to hop on and off buses as you choose. It also comes with two options of cruises on the Thames.

The following day we took a cruise down to Grenwich. Or as Emily pronounces it Gren-witch, with the W, much to the amusement of the young ticket man. We had a live tour guide who was very informative. We enjoyed the fresh breeze on the top deck of the boat and when we arrived at Grenwich headed for the nearest cafe. A hot drink was required to warm us up. Then it was near to the time the ball drops - that is the thing on which the whole Grenwich mean time is measured. The local lady at the cafe couldn't help us with directions but the lovely French waiter was most helpful. So we scampered off up the hill for a closer look. Just before 1pm I stood with camera in hand and recorded the red ball slowly rise up and at precisely 1pm, dramatically drop. 1pm because it is summer time here (i.e. daylight savings).

There ends my first 24 hours in London.

p.s. Em's time in Spain means she is a great navigator on the tubes. Quick to find alternative routes when lines or stations are not operating for maintenance.