It's 8am, no its 9am now as we zzzz a bit longer or just long enough for our next exciting adventure. Our very own personal tour guide General Clare Solomon escorting us thru the sights of London and a little later on joined by Ashley.
We had a lot on our list needing ✔️ off, so cameras, bag and wallet - action - we set off. Not necessarily in this order but close enough.
Exiting our OXO Hilton we quickly come across Shakespeare's Globe theatre and the Town Hall.
Over and back we go on the Millennium Bridge and London Bridge.
We visit St Paul's and Pudding Lane - where the great fire of London began in the 1660s and the monument in memory of the lives lost and devastation; then back over London Bridge.
Onto Tower bridge with it's impressive towers and onto the Tower of London, traitors gate, Beefeaters stationed at many of the entrances as we circumnavigate. Part way round we take shelter in a underpass from the drizzle that insists it wants to be rain. To our surprise we find numerous paintings on the walls depicting much of the history and intrigue surrounding the Tower and historic characters; especially that rogue Henry VIII.
HMS Belfast is an impressive floating museum, permanently moored between London & Tower bridge.
The original London Dungeons pop up down a narrow lane as we journey; but our visit is a walk-by.
Butler's Wharf (Denise is so pleased to see a wharf named after her dad) and then of note a yacht named The Lady Daphne moored nearby, obviously named after Denise's mum.
After this marathon we headed off for a belated and eagerly anticipated Sunday Roast at The George, boasting none other the William Shakespeare as a 'regular' in his day.
What an amazing step back into time, the interior and exterior of the pub painstaking preserved; comically so it seems at times. Crooked stairs, balconies in a slant, rolling hills for floors, and doorsteps where rooms join. Dim lighting is accentuated by the dark wood interior and low ceilings as the centuries seem to draw us back in time. As Lady Clare of OXO concludes our tour of hosts fine establishment, we enter the dining hall to rejoin Sir Ashley D'Snay who gallantly offered to guard both our baggage and chosen table from rogues and vagabonds. We were to await the arrival of Lord Callum of Hay; but are advised by carrier pigeon that he is detained by matters of urgency. We bid our host to avail us of his finest ale and roast beef luncheon. We dine with much laughter, revelations, and reminiscing. We are eventually joined by Lord Callum; who makes short work of his repast and a few ales.
Reluctantly we come back to reality after whiling away several hours, and make our way back to the OXO Hilton for a cup if tea and talking into the early hours of the morning.
Thank you General Clare for an amazing day.