Friday 21 August

We need to get up earlier today to get breakfast - as it's pretty cheap considering and eat all you want! We are trying to get by on 2 meals. It's good for saving $$. We get to the visa place in pretty good time, and already a line. We find out we needed to have an appointment and that there are none until after we leave for Russia. Eeekk! There is a costly solution of course: a private visa company. Malcolm rings them and we head over there by bus. One the way out we overhear a man talking on his phone about incorrect invitation letters. At least our paperwork should be ok! The traffic is thick and buses slow. But at least we can see things. At the visa office all is in order bar one address needs changing and they need a copy of our china accommodation bookings. Malcolm's email chooses that exact time to suspend his account. We leave and spend the next long while figuring how to get back in, and then when we can't, a way around it. Eventually all booking info is emailed safely through. It's stressful and time consuming. We head towards the palace and rest in the park awhile. The palace and fountain are nice - and popular. We go back to see if we can go in and see Westminster Abby. It's long lines and £20 per person! I decide I don't need to see inside another beautiful church for that cost! We buy some ready made food from a supermarket and sit down to eat. After food it's a walk across the river. We see the London eye and enjoy a riverside afternoon. There are a lot of things to see. Ppl doing different things- music, shows, standing still on pedestals ! On the bridge back to the train it's double or nothing on 'guess which plate the ball is under'. Malcolm thinks he has it. We buy groceries for tomorrow and relax at the hostel. I have a shower and nana rings. Thankfully I'm quick and get the speak. I think our roommates our out for most of the night. We have officially met both now.