We hit Victoria Station at 6:00am and walked around trying to find some form of bearings. As we had very little sleep under our belts, thoughts turned to tonight’s accommodation. Rang a few hostels, but no answer. I suppose it was very early Saturday morning. Luckily we managed to stash our bags and go adventuring. Somehow we were full of energy, must have been the travellers juice. Strolling past Westminster Cathedral and on up to visit the Queen. There we were standing outside the gates of Buck palace, with no body around at all. We could see the funny-hatted guards in the distance. They would not open the gates for us. After a quick piccy we headed across St James park with all the squirrels towards West Minster abbey. It was not open yet so we strolled up to see Big Ben and the houses of parliament, basically over the road. By now we had seen dozens of cabs and double decker busses, but it was here that we spotted our first sign of English Blue sky.
As it was now past opening time, we headed back to inspect Westminster Abbey. We hopped on the tour as you do. Built in 10?? something, it is basically a cemetery/memorial for real famous people (mainly kings and queens) with a roof on it. Oh yeah it also holds the coronation chair. As you would expect it looked real old and not very pretty. In saying that the tour was great. Very interesting and most educational.
Now it was time to ask the map. It was like playing a game of Monopoly with all the familiar names. So like the game we headed for Whitehall. We managed to time it well enough to see the changing of the horse guards. Not real exciting but full of pomp and ceremony. Continuing on through Waterloo place. We stopped in at the tourist info looking for a bed. They could have set us up in a Hostel for 40 pound a night, or they did have this special of a 4 star hotel for 50 pound a night for 2 nights. Gee lets just think about this for a sec. Yep we will take it, the hotel. Now with digs for the night we ambled through Piccadilly Circus and Leister Square. Unfortunately for lunch I forgot we were in Britain and had a Whopper, so if I ever turn into a mad cow….Next stop was Trafalgar Square where we met up with sixty thousand pigeons. They were everywhere as was evidence of their existence. There was even the odd fool covered in birds. We just amused ourselves scaring them with umbrellas.
As our travellers adrenaline was wearing off we decided to get on the tube to retrieve our backpacks. It was a long hard slog from the station to the Hotel. Very swish as we walked into the ritzy foyer with our packs and tents hanging off our backs. We checked in and the lady said lift on the left, but the stairs are there if you want the exercise. The sign on the wall also stated the room rates, 155 pounds a night. Our room was very nice, the bed covering 2 postcodes and a huge bath to heal our travel weary bodies with.