Last Day in London

Our last day to walk around London starting by again walking through Hampstead Heath. It was a beautiful morning (unlike yesterday) and at the top of the hill Norm sat to enjoy the view.

 On the streets of London we came upon a market of just food served at lunch to mostly men, probably working nearby. The selection included food from Peru, Korea, Asia and more. The smells were wonderful.

 

 

I wish we were hungry.

When in London it is a great idea to see live theatre. The Mouse Trap has been running 65 years. I saw it in 1978. I asked about last minute tickets and I was told yes, there were some, from 60 to more than 100 pounds. We decided no.

 Maybe David Tennant in Don Juan in Soho? He starred in Broadchurch and the Victoria-made Grace Point. Yes, tickets for tonight's show.... more than 100 or for only 10 pounds you can stand on the fourth level. It was suggested we shouldn't be afraid of heights. Again we passed. Maybe next time. 

 Nice theatre though.

 So we went walking down to the Thames River, across the Hungerford Bridge and walked the Embankment. 

 Looking back towards Big Ben and the Parliament buildings. 

Time for lunch and we thought we would try the National Theatre Cafe. Line ups to get in due to security checks but just around the corner the theatre pub and no check. I guess students are less of a security risk?? The pub is called the Understudy. Check the menu.

 

It was delicous and not a bad price for London. 

 My first cauliflower and chick pea taco.  

A couple of people have asked about security here. You really don't notice anything in particular but at bridges and subway lines there are often police present. You can see a couple here on the Blackfriars Bridge we returned on. 

 A walk down Fleet Street used to bring you by the news centre of Britain, where most major newspapers had their offices.  Today they've  all moved down the river.. We came upon St. Bride's Church, sometimes called the journalists' church, for a fascinating history lesson. St. Bride's is one of the most ancient churches in London. Worship dates back to the 7th century and there's evidence in the crypt of Roman building centuries before that. The present church is at least the seventh one on the site.   The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed the church. Christopher Wren designed a new one.

 

 In World War II St. Bride's Church was again destroyed. When the site was excavated they found the church's original 6th century Saxon foundations and some Roman coins and stained glass. 

 An interesting fact about the church is that the wedding cake dates back to 1703 when a bakers apprentice wanted to mak an extravagant cake and drew upon the design of St. Bride's Church. You can see the layers of the steeple here.

 One last site to see, Alfies Antique Market. But first as we headed for the tube we came upon a street act at Coventry Garden that Norm and I still can't figure out. Norm dropped a pound in his shovel and the guy rotates on his left hand but at no time does he touch the ground. 

 And then back upright.n

 No wires....

 Great act!

The Antique Market, not so exciting.

 So home we went with all the other people at rush hour, hot and steamy in the subway. 

Time for our last pub meal at The Wells near Hampstead Heath. Bangers and Mash, Tomato and Goat cheese salad and Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert! The best!

 

 

 We say goodbye to our classy apartment and tomorrow we fly home. It has been a wonderful holiday. Thanks for following along with us. Yellow Bunny says she will miss it all. She liked our back garden. 

 One last note.... tomorrow is Election Day here. We are surprised at the lack of signs promoting the candidates. Here is one to encourage you to at least think about the voting.

Handed out at the tube stop to Norman.