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2023 April-May - London, UK (Day 2)
Friday, 28 April 2023 22:50Hello hello hello!
I'm here again at 7.30am in the morning, regretting my travel companion. Ah, life. Why did I ask this particular friend.
Anyway, I don't want to sound like a sour plum just complaining about stuff.
Early morning out: first thing is breakfast! Wanted to check out what this "Breakfast Club" is all about, and so off we went to one. I have never had a haloumi cheese, so I decided to add it. Yay.
Next, really something for my friend: The Tower of London. The Yeoman Tour was fun, John (or Jon) was fun.
After the Yeoman Tour, we were free to walk around, and so we did that. I found out there is a lot more to see than my past 2 visits.
I don't remember the White Tower being open with exhibitions, so I guess this was new.
I had to crack a (probably unpopular thought) joke. "Diplomatic gifts"... you have to wonder if it indeed was a gift.... *shhhhhh* sorry!
Oh, oh, oh yeah! This guy here, his name is Keeper. When I entered the room and saw this I went "What The........!!!!!!?" and then soon behind me another voice said "What The Fuck!?" and I just muttered under my breath, "yeah, same reaction, kid," and walked away.
The kiddy part had these mice as guides.
Ah, the ravens. The ravens were locked up because of the bird flu. I was itching to get a toy charm so I could hang on my bag. There were various teddies (yeoman, beefeater, plain) and queen (now king?) corgis, but I figured these were the more "popular" choices anyway, so I decided to get this raven plushie. I personally thing it looks more like a penguin.
Tower Bridge shot at the walls of The Tower of London.
Some random things from the walls. I remember the walls weren't walkable before.
When we were done with The Tower of London, we walked over to Tower Bridge.
The guy said, "you can take the elevator, or you can walk. There's more to see if you walk." I repeated that to my friend, and said I wanted to walk up, she said OK. And then she complained she's tired. I wasn't at my tipping point yet, at that point, so I just ignored it.
This is the stuff I live for. THIS IS FUN! And my friend was scared shitless up here.
More shots from the top of the bridge.
I saw a new doll - English Bulldog! But with those colors.... is that more french than english?
Throughout the Bridge, this cat was hanging around, so I made a point of shooting them all.
Engine room.
End of the visit.
This is a new Corgi dog toy, I think I saw a tag saying her name is Jane.
We had a heavy breakfast so decided to skip lunch, but still stopped somewhere to sit and drink some water. Then we made our way to Charing Cross to pick up some future train tickets. It was like pulling teeth talking to that staff.
I asked, "I booked these tickets online and I need to pick up the tickets."
Staff, "it depends what tickets you got."
Me, "yes, it says I have to pick up here."
Staff, "Well, what kind of ticket did you get?"
Me, "it says advanced ticket in this summary."
Staff, "yes, so you can pick up the tickets."
We look at each other for 3 seconds.
Me, "so do I do it here, or at a machine?"
Staff, "you can do it anywhere."
Me, "Well, I'd like to pick up thegoddamned tickets." (I wanted to say that, but decided to be polite.)
Staff looks at me.
Me, "... is there anything else you need from me?"
Staff, "show me the email again, I need to confirmation number."
Me: just shows the email on my phone. (while my internal eyes are rolling and soon falling off)
Staff, "and you need to swipe your card here."
Me: does just that.
Staff: passes tickets to me.
Me, "thanks for going through the trouble to get me these!"
Passed by Waterstones at Trafalgar Square, but the cafe was full, and after a short dander around the bookshop, we went over to a cafe.
Don't you love it when people do exactly what the signage says not to?
At the National Gallery, we passed the shop first, and I saw this van Gogh doll and a Sunflower patterned Teddy Bear. I will soon find out why.
Still my favourite painting. The first time I saw this painting, I got mesmerized by the details of the dress. The story of Lady Jane Grey is also really sad. The Yeoman John did mention this story as well.
And this is why! There's a van Gogh corner now.
Me and my inappropriate commentary again LOL. This is dangerous. Girl looking out the window? Sure, fine. Take care not to accidentally nudge or push the fishbowl out! The fish is innocent!
Friend got so tired and had to sit for some 15 minutes. Sadly, when she was done, the gift shop was already closed so I missed out on getting some postcards.
The plan for the day was supposed to continue on to the Big Ben/Westminster Abbey/St James' Park, but apparently friend was at her limit. I suggested watching a show or a movie so she could sit but she was all non-responsive. So we made our way back to the hotel, she napped for an hour, I was ready to just go without her, but she woke up in time and so we went out for dinner. The mozzarella sticks were wonderful!
I'm here again at 7.30am in the morning, regretting my travel companion. Ah, life. Why did I ask this particular friend.
Anyway, I don't want to sound like a sour plum just complaining about stuff.
Early morning out: first thing is breakfast! Wanted to check out what this "Breakfast Club" is all about, and so off we went to one. I have never had a haloumi cheese, so I decided to add it. Yay.
Next, really something for my friend: The Tower of London. The Yeoman Tour was fun, John (or Jon) was fun.
After the Yeoman Tour, we were free to walk around, and so we did that. I found out there is a lot more to see than my past 2 visits.
I don't remember the White Tower being open with exhibitions, so I guess this was new.
I had to crack a (probably unpopular thought) joke. "Diplomatic gifts"... you have to wonder if it indeed was a gift.... *shhhhhh* sorry!
Oh, oh, oh yeah! This guy here, his name is Keeper. When I entered the room and saw this I went "What The........!!!!!!?" and then soon behind me another voice said "What The Fuck!?" and I just muttered under my breath, "yeah, same reaction, kid," and walked away.
The kiddy part had these mice as guides.
Ah, the ravens. The ravens were locked up because of the bird flu. I was itching to get a toy charm so I could hang on my bag. There were various teddies (yeoman, beefeater, plain) and queen (now king?) corgis, but I figured these were the more "popular" choices anyway, so I decided to get this raven plushie. I personally thing it looks more like a penguin.
Tower Bridge shot at the walls of The Tower of London.
Some random things from the walls. I remember the walls weren't walkable before.
When we were done with The Tower of London, we walked over to Tower Bridge.
The guy said, "you can take the elevator, or you can walk. There's more to see if you walk." I repeated that to my friend, and said I wanted to walk up, she said OK. And then she complained she's tired. I wasn't at my tipping point yet, at that point, so I just ignored it.
This is the stuff I live for. THIS IS FUN! And my friend was scared shitless up here.
More shots from the top of the bridge.
I saw a new doll - English Bulldog! But with those colors.... is that more french than english?
Throughout the Bridge, this cat was hanging around, so I made a point of shooting them all.
Engine room.
End of the visit.
This is a new Corgi dog toy, I think I saw a tag saying her name is Jane.
We had a heavy breakfast so decided to skip lunch, but still stopped somewhere to sit and drink some water. Then we made our way to Charing Cross to pick up some future train tickets. It was like pulling teeth talking to that staff.
I asked, "I booked these tickets online and I need to pick up the tickets."
Staff, "it depends what tickets you got."
Me, "yes, it says I have to pick up here."
Staff, "Well, what kind of ticket did you get?"
Me, "it says advanced ticket in this summary."
Staff, "yes, so you can pick up the tickets."
We look at each other for 3 seconds.
Me, "so do I do it here, or at a machine?"
Staff, "you can do it anywhere."
Me, "Well, I'd like to pick up the
Staff looks at me.
Me, "... is there anything else you need from me?"
Staff, "show me the email again, I need to confirmation number."
Me: just shows the email on my phone. (while my internal eyes are rolling and soon falling off)
Staff, "and you need to swipe your card here."
Me: does just that.
Staff: passes tickets to me.
Me, "thanks for going through the trouble to get me these!"
Passed by Waterstones at Trafalgar Square, but the cafe was full, and after a short dander around the bookshop, we went over to a cafe.
Don't you love it when people do exactly what the signage says not to?
At the National Gallery, we passed the shop first, and I saw this van Gogh doll and a Sunflower patterned Teddy Bear. I will soon find out why.
Still my favourite painting. The first time I saw this painting, I got mesmerized by the details of the dress. The story of Lady Jane Grey is also really sad. The Yeoman John did mention this story as well.
And this is why! There's a van Gogh corner now.
Me and my inappropriate commentary again LOL. This is dangerous. Girl looking out the window? Sure, fine. Take care not to accidentally nudge or push the fishbowl out! The fish is innocent!
Friend got so tired and had to sit for some 15 minutes. Sadly, when she was done, the gift shop was already closed so I missed out on getting some postcards.
The plan for the day was supposed to continue on to the Big Ben/Westminster Abbey/St James' Park, but apparently friend was at her limit. I suggested watching a show or a movie so she could sit but she was all non-responsive. So we made our way back to the hotel, she napped for an hour, I was ready to just go without her, but she woke up in time and so we went out for dinner. The mozzarella sticks were wonderful!
