My Days in London

Padding Station in London

Right before I left I decided that being at Heathrow and not seeing London was a travesty. So Women of the Midwest was able to extend my flight out two days. In the meantime, my friend Lynn, found me a wonderful hotel, Westborne Hyde Park, located six blocks from Padding Station and close to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.

I arrived that morning and walked to the hotel to store my luggage and ask about the Hop on/Hop Off bus. I wanted to ride the entire length (3 hours) to get a feel for London and to try to stay awake until I could check in.

But first I stopped for a traditional English breakfast. I can't get over beans in the morning but I really like the coffee here in England.

I found the bus and made my way to the top so I could take pictures and follow the map for sites. Here are a few of the sites.

All Souls Church

Piccadilly Circus

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square

Big Ben, but the real name is Elizabeth's Tower.

The dragon that protects the city, and separates it from Westminster.

Statue of Queen Elizabeth I, London's oldest outdoor statue.

St. Paul's Cathedral, it survived the Great Fire and the Blitz during World War II.

The Tower Bridge, not to be mistaken for the London Bridge, which isn't very remarkable.

Westminster Palace

Westminster Abbey

And my favorite picture...

The South Bank Lion which was originally put up for the Lion Brewery!

Last but not least, was the Tower of London, where many royals were banished at one time or another.

The Tower of London is approximately 959 years old with its origins tracing back to the Norman Conquest of 1066.

After the tour I went back to my room, exhausted, had a nap then ventured out to the local pub for fish and chips, of course, and a half pint.

The gentlemen at the bar had such a thick accent I couldn't understand them, but the ladies sitting beside me were from Minnesota.