20050925 I survived

Hi Guys,

All is well with the two of us over here in London, been real tourists over the last two weekends. Went to see the Queens abode - Buckingham Palace - full of bling bling, over the top furnishings, great historical facts and security. I liked her garden best – basically the size of the Western Cape, equipped with its own dam - good place for a spot of night fishing! I am now due an award, I have survived, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace (and Gwyn only purchased one ornamental tin through the whole process)

Yesterday was a fantastically sunny day and we decided to head off to Greenwich. We took a well recommended river cruise (City Cruises) from Westminster Pier, with commentary by a hilarious rough Pom. He was quite opinionated and gave a description of each building, according to the British Public. For example, we saw the world’s largest motorbike helmet… also know as the offices of the Mayor of London (see picture). The cruise was ideal for getting great views of Big Ben, the Bridges, The Eye, St Pauls, Canary Wharf, etc…. Did you know the word ‘Wharf’ is an acronym - ‘Warehouse at river front’? We also had a superb view of the homes of the rich and famous. One bedroom apartments on the Thames can cost of to £2 000 000. Heck of a price for a view of a brown river. Imagine what you can get in Camps Bay for that?

Greenwich is a winner of a place, with oodles of history, beautiful architecture and markets, it is a real escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. We managed to go to the Cutty Sark, a tea clipper (huge wooden sail ship) used to bring tea into the UK from China back in the day, The Royal Observatory - the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Meridian (while we were there, a little boy asked his dad why it is called east and west – his answer, “because we are British decided to do it that way!”), National Maritime Museum and some fab markets – home made nougat with pistachios and chocolate, all kinds of olives, boerewors, art, fruit and veg and some xmas shopping.

Otherwise we are all doing well, missing you all, along with the warm SA summer.

Best,

L&G