Page 205 - Demo

Thursday 28th September - LondonOvercast and cool. Had an early breakfast in the basement of our hotel. Rang Ian and Sue, our friends from home, and arranged to meet for the morning. Walked across to Hyde Park and strolled along the Serpentine. Teia had a play in a playground near some nice fountains. Walked along the Serpentine to the bridge and waited for Sue, Ian, Pru and May to arrive. Together we walked along the Hyde Park paths, catching up on travel notes. The kids fed the swans and ducks, and we were able to catch the Royal Horse Guard practising for today%u2019s Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (the Queen was in residence). Lots of clanking armour and swords as they repeatedly cantered by. Continued on further and got to successfully fly our kite bought earlier in our trip. The kids chased squirrels and collected conkers, both of which were plentiful. Walked across to Buckingham Palace which was packed with tourists waiting for the guard changing. We walked on along the boulevard and met the Guard coming toward us. Walked on to Trafalgar Square for the kids to play on the big bronze lions. Said our goodbyes to the others as they were headed for St Paul%u2019s and we wanted to go shopping. Teia had a last chase of the pigeons. We walked up Shaftesbury Road, and Charing Cross Road, stopping at some shops along the way, including the impressive cult shop called Forbidden Planet. Caught the tube to Marble Arch and while crossing the road, ran into Paul. Walked a few blocks to find a nice pub and sat outside for lunch, catching up on news. It was a nice bonus to have a last chance to thank Paul for his hospitality from earlier in the trip. Paul had to go back to work, and we also had sightseeing plans, so the get-together was short. Walked back along Bond Street, stopping to buy some tacky souvenirs for the neighbours. Walked north along Edgeware Road and the Middle Eastern part of the city to Little Venice, a quiet leafy area with nice houses and the end of the Grand Union Canal, packed with the old long canal boats. Walked along the canal and stopped for a cream tea and ice cream at a canal boat cafe. Continued our walk along the canal back to Paddington and our %u2018home%u2019. Dinner tonight at a local Italian restaurant. Nothing outstanding except the exorbitant price. But at least Teia got to have her favourite %u2018worms%u2019.