Day 13 - London (part 2)Author: jawapro
Date: Mon 02/02/2009 09:45 AM
^ Me with the Queen. Explanation to follow.
Today we got to sleep in - bliss! No rushing off for a “bags to coach” time, or even a group trip into town. We are on our own again.
Eventually we did get going - and made our way to Victoria station - where we’d arranged to meet up with Maryanne - and friend of ours from way back who’s been living over here working as a Nanny.
The tubes are a little chaotic today - as lines are closed for maintenance for on the weekend - but it’s still far better than the French system. At least here the tube maps are the same - you don’t get a different one each station you go to.
Maryanne took us to Covern Garden’s for a look at the market stalls. There also this small band downstairs that were hassling people for money. They were quite good - and able to keep up with a song while chasing people with the big violin thing (double bass?). Quite entertaining to watch.
The three of us went to take a look at St Paul’s.
From here we went to Baker St. From the station (about #180) we headed down to number 17, which Emma assured us was Sherlock Holmes’s house - and now a museum.
After quite a walk, we reached where 17 should have been - but it had been knocked down.
Assuming they wouldn’t have knocked down a tourist attraction, we asked someone.
Turns out he lived at 221b - not 13. So much for our Sherlock Holmes expert.
I never said that I was a Sherlock Holmes expert. I have only read one or two of the books - Emma.
Maryanne was a little disappointed when she found out that we’d gone all this way to a house that Sherlock Holmes never even lived in - he’s a fictional character.
After this, we said goodbye to Maryanne - and headed to Madam Tussauds - where all the celebs hang out.
Emma finally got a chance to hang out with Johnny Depp.
And Orlando Bloom. Don’t think she could choose between them.
Robin Williams was working there (must be doing it tough lately) - and I had to show him my ticket.
Apparently it wasn’t valid - so the bouncer tried to throw me out.
I came back with reinforcements. Nothing like a Terminator at your side when things get tough.
Meanwhile Emma was hanging out with Shrek - and hadn’t noticed I was missing.
After the Terminator killed the Hulk, the Queen herself offered me her apologies for the mistake.
I finally caught up with Emma - who’d been chatting up Prince William.
While I waited for them to finish, I chatted about wormhole theory with an old bloke that happened to be passing by.
And discussed plans for World Domination with someone who’d tried it before. Will probably have to use different tactics - his didn’t do so well in the end.
I tried asking advice from a fellow Aussie - but he wasn’t much help either.
I had a chat with Winstone Churchill - but he said he wasn’t too impressed with the way I’d posed in front of his statue on Day 1 of the trip (trying to replicate his stance) - so I didn’t get much help there either.
My plans for World Domination may have to wait a while.
At least I know that MI6 are on my side.
Now - for those who don’t know, Madam Tasaud’s is a museum where they keep wax models of people. Some are dead, and others are current celebrities. It’s quite expensive - but very cool. Some models are a little poorly done - but others are so lifelike it’s scarey.
After leaving the Wax Works - we headed for Paddington Station to go hunting for bears - but we couldn’t find one.
From there it was back to the Hotel through the lightly falling snow.
Tomorrow we head north on the trains. I’ll blog again next time I get a chance.
And as a final note - how about this? It’s a vending machine of books!
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