A slightly later morning, largely due to the lengthy shower of Claire, breakfast at the hotel, then off for the day's activities. It is Richard's day today and he had booked us into a bus tour/river cruise and walking tour. Miles was a little disgruntled as he thought he could be the tour guide and we didn't need any help, but even he admitted that the walking tour that took us to the Changing of the Guards took us to places he hadn't thought of. We had 13 minutes to (almost running) get from the Horse Guards to Buckingham Palace, then around the back to where the second brass band came out, then around the front onto the rotunda for a slightly elevated view and up to Clarence House for a photo opportunity - all in an hour and a half of almost running…. Phew!! I think we saw it all and certainly took loads of photos to bore everyone with!

Then onto the bus to start the tour of the city… over London Bridge, over Tower Bridge, and then a little rain (really the first we had seen the whole trip, so can't complain). We found a pub for lunch, then a 'cruise' down the river from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier, on the bus again to Buck Palace (again) and it all seemed familiar territory to Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square et al.

Back to the hotel for a quick freshen up and then we had arranged to have a cup of tea with Dana and Rob. Rob is in hospital closeby so it was convenient for us to meet. He is going for an assessment on Friday. The story came out that Rob really had been in a very bad way, but he now seems to have recovered. However the hard work will begin if he is released to rehab as he needs to learn to walk again before returning home. Dana feels he has the best possible medical attention, and she deserves a medal for all the support she has given him. Unfortunately we will not be seeing their new home in Kingston this trip, it's always good to save something for next time!

Then taxi'ed down to Victoria to a pub where we met Jane McMeeking. Jane had made the effort of coming up from Kent to have a meal with us, a lovely meal of (another) pie - chicken and mushroom, and a glass of red, very civilised. Since last we saw Jane she had lost her mother and sold the big old family house and now the estate has been finalised which is a relief. They are still looking for a new house to buy (as they were 16 years ago!) but all seems stable and happy - she hasn't changed at all, just a few more grey hairs (like the rest of us).

Another hot night.