Saturday 27 June

Hot day.

We walk to Buckingham Palace to see changing of the guard. Arrive and stand in a good spot for 40-50 minutes. Watch the changing for an hour and then take photos of the area once the crowd clear. Talk to a lovely friendly policeman on a horse (Griffindor). He was going along the crowd calling out "Does anyone speak English?". He got no takers (the event was watched by masses of non-English speakers) until I called out. He stopped the horse and we had a long chat. It was very hot in the sun.

We walked down The Mall in the shade. Both sides of the street lined with huge Union Jacks. Lots of horse poo - I take photos of it. Tina thinks I am becoming obsessed by horse manure.

We go into the Institute of Contemporary Art. Yes, Martin goes into the Institute of Contemporary Art!!!!! Just when you think I might be developing a cultural bone I have to confess it was only because they had a loo and a cold drink!

We go to Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column. Then head for Picadilly. On the way we see Her Majesty's Theatre and book tickets to Phantom Of The Opera for Thursday and then saunter into NZ House to see the beautiful carving by Inia Te Wiata (well, mostly carved by him as he died before completing it). Next day a learned taxi driving describes the building as "brutalist architecture" - it is an ugly building out of keeping with others around it. The taxi driver also told us it was a listed heritage building - ugly but unique.

Next door there is a big queue to get into the Sports Bar to watch the 2nd Lions v South Africa test.

We head to the Thames and on the way I buy a black and white checked pork pie hat!!!
I'll wear it as I get off the plane!

We walk past No 10 Downing Street. Nice chat with a policeman.

We go for a cruise on the Thames. We hopped off and booked Globe tickets for Wednesday. Wanted to go to Romeo & Juliet but it is booked out until August so we will go to As You Like It but if we want unrestricted view we can't sit together! We take whatever good seats we can get.

Saw Tower Bridge open which is evidently quite are.

As we head back on the boat the skies darken and there is thunder and lightning as well as a strong wind. No rain on us.

Long walk back to the hotel. Stop for dinner at a little pub. We have been out for over 9 and a 1/2 hours. Sore feet but very satisfying day.