London

From Cape Town, on Sunday 14th, I flew on Lufthansa to London and stayed with Connor, my son who lives in Belham, south east London. From Heathrow it was an easy Tube ride with one changeover to the Northern Line, and I was at his home within an hour. Only hiccup was that I boarded the Heathrow Express, not realizing that both the ‘normal’ tube and the Express used the same platform. An expensive mistake which I found out later when I perused my Credit Card entires a few days later.

FYI, on the Tube and Busses, there is no need to by an Explorer pass any longer -  all access points to the Tube and Bus accepts ‘Tap’ with your credit card. Just remember to use the same credit card for entry and exit for all your journeys on a day, so that the zonal caps apply.

Whilst Connor worked, I sightsee’d London. First day trip was to do the Thames South Walk, aka the Queens Walk.

I caught the Tube at Belham, a 15 minute walk from Connors’ home, traveling north, and alighting at Waterloo station.

Walking through the lovely Jubilee Gardens, the London Eye loomed huge

London Eye Waterloo Pier with its many sightseeing barges

Walking west along the Walk to get a good view of Big Ben and the House of Commons

The back-tracking past the Eye to Tower Bridge, often mistaken as London Bridge

Loads of sightseeing boat trips

This is London Bridge. Not as impressive as Tower Bridge!

A slight detour to the entrance of the Southwalk Cathedral

Side View

The Cathedral is built on older church ruins dating back to the Roman times.

Looking down into the old foundations of History

Beautiful flying buttresses

My photos of various stained glass did not come out so well…

Back along the walk, Lots of flower boxes everywhere

This was interesting. Under many of the arches under overhead bridges, the arches have been built into arcades with shops

It was interesting to see the Thames at low tide, and how the conservation efforts have paid off. The water was clean, and the beaches and stones not full of muck.

I went onto the beach at Gabriel’s Wharf

Clean stones

The Queens Walk Lights

I do love ducks…

Millennium Bridge across to St Pauls

Lots of places on the walk to stop and rest, even picnic tables in booths

It was a really hot day, and after a rest in the shade in Potters Field, I made my way to Borough Market.

Cool Arcade along my route from Potter Field to Borough Market

Sights around Borough Market. I strolled around surprised at the huge crowds, and bought homemade bread, some dips and cheese.

Back to Connors House was a short walk to London Bridge Tube and a 20 min tube ride.