Mind the gap

Today we set about on our own.  We walked to Kings Cross station and learned how to ride the tube (a.k.a. the underground/subway train where you must “mind the gap” when entering and exiting the train.)  We took the Picadilly Line to the Northern Line to the Embankment down by the Thames River.  Riding the tube was actually less challenging than emerging from a subway station and trying for figure out which way to get to the river…but we did it!

We crossed over the Thames on a pedestrian bridge and headed for the London Eye!  It was a fabulous way to see London from a whole new perspective.  The “capsules” are large enough to accommodate about 10-12 people. 

View from under the Eye while waiting to board.

We had a quick lunch and got tickets for a boat ride on the Thames from about Westminster (near Big Ben) to Greenich.  

Knew we'd be fine on this one - catch the name of the boat!

We believe this is the actual site that London Bridge was taken for repairs
when it was falling down, falling down, falling down.

There we walked around a bit and found the market where there was food, fruit, arts and crafts booths.  Decided to head back the pier as the skies were turning stormy.  We made it back without getting too wet and then retraced our tube ride back to Kings Cross, ever mindful of the gap.

We got back to our train station but became a tad confused as to our walk route back to the hotel --- and then it started raining harder.  So it seemed like a good time for dinner at the train station and a beer.  We re-grouped our directional recollections (a.k.a. checking Google maps) and walked back to the hotel – no problem.

Tomorrow we re-join our group and coach to Oxford, Lacock and Bristol where we overnight.   Will write again tomorrow but ‘til then --- mind the gap.

The London Eye of the storm