By the time we got out the door, it was after 11am...we missed breakfast. We missed the changing of the guard. (Not to worry, we have several more days on which they perform the ceremony. We'll probably go the 29th or the 31st.) We missed some other spots that the experts advise you to take advantage of the early morning hours. Sigh.
We decided to take the tube over to Westminster and check out the Abbey, Parliament, and the Churchill War Rooms Museum.
With yesterday's foray, we were confident - no, we were fearless! - that we could maneuver through the city with ease. We hopped on Central Line with the intent of taking eastbound Marble Arch to Oxford Circus, and then south on Victoria Line to Victoria and finally District Line to Westminster. "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Central Line reports a disabled train at Leytonstone. This train will no longer have eastbound service until the train can be depoted." Hmmm.
After looking at the map, Joe has an even better plan. "Let's go westbound to Notting Hill Gate then pick up the Circle Line south...it goes right to Westminster." Perfect.
We get on westbound Central Line and begin heading to Notting Hill. "We apologize, there is no District or Circle Line service from Notting Hill this morning." Sorry, what? I mean, "What the fuck?"
Our next opportunity to switch lines is at White City...three more stops. There, we can catch Circle Line to take us back east to Westminster. At White City we come to a complete stop. "We apologize, but we just like fucking with your plans...there will be no additional service on this line for whatever reason we can think of. Please change to Yellow Brick Road Line and ask the Wizard to get you the fuck out of west suburban London."
Just kidding. But we did have to go four more stops west before we could finally catch a train back to town. Which we did until...yep, we had to change lines again to a station that got us about two miles from Westminster station (which had no service). Because it's Saturday, because it's the holidays, and because one train dominoed the entire system, we got a lovely tout of west London...at least the train stations of west London. Did I say yesterday that I love mass transit? Nah, I still do...just not today.
We finally arrive at Victoria Station. By now it's 2pm, and we are starving. We found a pub, The Albert, that had a good beer selection, but not so good food; however, by that time I would have eaten one of Elizabeth's shoes.
We continued our walk in the cold and then, out of nowhere: Westminster Abbey. We got there too late today, but we'll be back.
And just beyond:
I call this one "Leaning Big Ben"
Is it just me or does he look a little like Bill Murray?
And I look like I'm cold...because I am!
And then there's the Thames...and the London Eye!
We walked across the Westminster Bridge and looked back for these shots:
The bridge was solid with tourists...Joe was lucky he got this shot with no one photobombing! Lots of buskers and gamers and tourists. I can't even imaging what it would be like in summer.
Our final destination of the day was the Churchill War Rooms and museum. This was high on Joe's priority list, but not so much for me. I'm so glad I went, though; it was an incredible collection of memorabilia with lots of great interactive exhibits. So very well done!
When we got out, it was dark, and we were hungry (at least thirsty), so we headed back to Victoria station. Fingers crossed that Central Line was back on schedule (pronounced: sh-ed-u-al)...it was. And we made it back to Marble Arch...where we'd started out about 36 hours previous. Walking back to our hotel, we passed The Tyburn - bar/restaurant - where we ate, and drank four pretty darn good English beers.
Tomorrow - The Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, a pint or two at Hung, Drawn & Quartered, as well as a pint or two at Dean Swifters or the Dog and Duck. Hopefully, Central Line will get us there.
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