London Once Again

Yes, it's true, we never seem to get enough of London, perhaps because there is so much London to go around.  This time, we were even able to experience the joy that is replacement bus service when a section of the tube isn't running, which gave us an above-ground tour of the area in which we normally stay, so can't really complain.  Basically, we did as we always do when in London - walk and walk until Rick needs new shoes.

As we have written before about London and have made it clear how we feel about it, we'll get right on to the photos!

After settling in to our hotel, we were off for supper.  We went to Shepherd's Bush and ate at The Meat Co. restaurant and, as you can see, it lives up to its name.  Lens distortion may make this skewer look a bit bigger, but not by much.  We enjoyed the company of both the people at the next table as well as our great waiter.  Oh, and the wine was excellent as well!!

One good thing about staying where we do, out in North Acton, is that the commuter numbers thin as you get closer to our station.  This is one of the newer cars, and we are above ground, so don't be fooled into thinking the whole system looks like this.  Still, it is an amazing system.

Not everyone on the tube is as interested in the trip as we are.

A  much happier and more awake commuter!

After visiting the shop in Mayfield of my favourite designer, Vivienne Westwood, we went across the street to DSquared2's shop for Rick to look for some cologne.  I tried to convince him to buy these shoes, but he seemed oddly reluctant.

While we may have found Berkeley Square, no nightingales sang, which was as big a disappointment as no bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover.  England isn't good at delivering what it promises!!

In typical London fashion, one never knows what one will stumble across.  Or who might have stumbled!

Rick planning a jewel heist at the Jewel Tower across from the Palace of Westminster.  Sadly, there is a dearth of jewels to be had.

Maybe in 1621 there were some jewels.

The guys found one of the Shawn the Sheep sculptures spread around town for charity.  This one is on the south bank, outside the Tate Modern gallery, with St. Paul's across the river.

The now infamous "walkie talkie" building, which I am sure the architect of which would like it to be known, except it is now the "scorchy talkie" as its curved facade focusses light and heat so strongly across the street that is has melted tires and steering wheels on cars.  Just to keep up its good fortune, it is also creating wind currents sweeping down it that are blowing people over.  It was recently voted the worst buiding design.

Break time!!  This pub is full of lawyers, who seemed to spend a lot of time here lingering over their drinks.  We hope their clients weren't waiting for them in court!  The guy at the bar is Bob, as it always makes sense that the deaf guy orders at the bar.  Fittingly, with Rick not being able to see without his glasses, he was in charge of buying drinks at stores where he couldn't see what he was buying.  We may need to work on this arrangement.

There is no truth to the rumour that we spent much time on this street!

A peek-a-boo of the Gherkin building, as it is affectionately known.

The guys find another Shawn.

One of our favourite places to visit is Leadenhall Market, where the business and banking people like to visit their watering hole and probably do some wheeling and dealing.

Elsewhere in Leadenhall, the socializing continues.

And finally, in a different elsewhere from Leadenhall, even the plebs are out on the streets.  Contrary to what someone, somewhere once told us, people do take thier drinks outside with them.