To Borough Markets to meet up again with Jo & Chris, the lovely couple we met on Mirihi a few years ago when we were all holidaying in the sun. It was so good to see them again & we spent the afternoon together starting with a drink in a pub & struggling through the crowded markets for lunch. Great fresh food markets - a bit like the one in Melbourne but bigger & much more diverse produce! Sat on a wall next to Sir Frances Drake's ship The Golden ...

Toured backstage of the Royal Opera House with the "delightful" Simon who showed us the sights & explained the workings of this huge building. Sat in the theatre seats, watched a morning ballet class with the principal dancers & saw some of the lighting & set arrangements. Sets arrive already to assemble in containers on lorries from storage in Sth Wales - such amazing logistics. So inspired to see an opera after this tour that I booked a ticket for T...

Spent half a day exploring the many rooms of the National Portrait Gallery & examining the portraits from Admiral Nelson to Nelson Mandela. Some huge canvases of the parliament in the early 1800's, many kings & queens, military heroes & so many others. As advised we had a lovely lunch in the restaurant looking out over the roof of the gallery to Nelson atop his column! Searched many shops for more warm clothes as we've found the weather very cold then...

We've just had the most wonderful day celebrating Sarah's birthday again! Had a morning coffee in Harrods & a wide eyed look around - especially in the food hall. If we get another fine day we must pick up some picnic food from here & go to one of the many lovely parks. Torz came over & we all went to the Ritz in the rain (high heels in puddles) for Celebration High Tea in the Palm Court. It was just as delightful as we'd hoped with delicious sandwich...

Had the most perfect sunny day for our lovely Sarah's birthday. Torz stayed over & we all competed in the London Bupa 10km which was a portion of the Olympic marathon course. Started on the Mall and went past many iconic places like St Paul's, through Leadenhall Markets & back to finish in front of Buckingham Palace. We had a great time with lots of bands, drummers & cheering encouragement from the many charities who we're being helped by the fundrais...