Hopped off the train at Charing Cross and headed straight over to Trafalgar Square. I love the way the clouds hid the light yet, somehow, made it brighter down here on earth.
I started walking towards Piccadilly Circus. Passed some theatres along the way...
...and mingled with literally thousands of people in the square. I love being a tourist.
Popped over to SoHo for some eye candy...
...and stumbled upon one of my favourite sights in the city: rental bikes.
I went for some soup and salad at Caffe Uno on Argyll Street. The wine was great and the service was even better. Then I kept walking...
Old Fenwick's was closed, but still looked magnificent.
I totally feel in love with this little nook, just east of Hyde Park. As I toured down Brook Street, I passed Claridge's, tons of fancy people in fancy fur coats, and a wedding where the bride wore oyster. It was a good jaunt.
At Grosvenor Square, I took a right on Duke Street and a trip down memory lane.
Back onto Oxford Street, I stumbled upon Selfridge's (much to my mother's chagrin, I'm sure) and took a peek around the institution.
I kept walking down Oxford Street (after a pop into the biggest Primark I think I'll ever see), and wandered around Marble Arch awhile.
Just to the right of the Arch, in front of the entrance to Hyde Park, there is this magnificent statue in the middle of a manicured lawn. I couldn't get enough.
I headed back up to Tottenham Road, and back down to Leicester Square to see a little more. Take a peek at Map My Run for the route!
The entire square is under construction, so after the circuit, I got out of there. Walked south back towards the river...
Having a tea in his cab outside Charing Cross...
...I headed across Millennium Bridge...
for some fabulous night-time views of the city.
Since people were flooding out of Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank, I popped in to use the ladies' room. Turns out there was this (free?) event going on with music and conversation all about orchestras and classical music. Don't mind if I do park it for a bit and listen to the banter. I love life's little surprises.
And then I ended my night with a thorough examination of The London Eye. I would assume that, much like Parisians aren't too keen on the lit up Eiffel Tower, Londoners could consider the Eye an eyesore (pardon the pun). But I don't know...through its ostentatious-ness, there is an element of beauty; a bit of art nouveau charm. Surrounded by a cloudy sky that was illuminated by the city lights, it certainly did catch my eye last night.
Crossing back across the Thames at Westminster Bridge, I snapped a few touristy shots as I dodged cars (and certain death) by crossing the street about three times.
Then I walked back to Charing Cross along the north side of the river, taking full advantage of the fabulous view of The Eye once again...
I love love love this shot. The Burger Bar? Are you kidding? I love this place.
At this point, it was nearly 10 and I had been walking for about six hours. A bit sleepy, non?
Passing all the ornate government offices that dot the river, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Palace of Whitehall tucked away just before Embankment. At least I think that is what this is. Here is some history on the place. Apparently it is where all the royals used to live before they packed up and went to Buckingham (can I talk about the Royal Family in this glib narrative? I wonder if they monitor glib talk down at Buckingham? Not likely).
I would like to say though that there was a TV on in this palace. Who lives there now?
Then it was back on the train, tired, happy, and so grateful to live so close to such an amazing place. Again, see Map My Run for this second route.
Next week's agenda? National Portrait Gallery, Film Museum at County Hall, and H & M on Oxford Street. Sounds dynamite.
I hope your weekend was fabulous, lovelies. I'm marking tests now :(
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