London/Edinburgh: UK

Ah, London, it’s great to be back home again; it’s been over 200 years.  Home to our Queen; yes I dragged the JB to Buckingham Palace in the hope we might sight the grand old lady herself, or at the least witness the changing of the guard, but alas, no cigar on either count.  Apparently the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Phillip) arrived whilst we were there, but we didn’t see him.  

London has an energy difficult to articulate; it’s constantly buzzing, people, cars, double decker buses everywhere all the time, so you can imagine the fun a couple of heavily laden backpackers had navigating our way about.  We’ve visited the Tower of London, where Henry XIII ate chicken drumsticks celebrating his marriage to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn.  We walked along the Thames, famous for more things than I’ve time to mention; we walked passed the Tate Modern, London Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, we wandered through Hyde Park, to Princess Diana’s memorial, the impressive Albert memorial, Royal Albert Hall and finished our visit at the Natural History Museum.  We’ve altered our plans so that we can spend a couple more days there on our way back through, that’s how much fun we had (and it’s great to be back in an English speaking country!). 

Tower of London

Tower of London Bridge

Hyde Park local

Armed men with guns and hats at Buckingham Palace

St Pauls Cathedral from Millenium Bridge

Royal Cavalry arrived just as we put new batteries in the camera

The JB at the war memorial commemorating Australia's contribution

The JB visits the French bakery...

...one thousandth of a second...

...three thousandths of a second...

...seven thousandths of a second...

...eleven thousandths of a second...

A new world record and the JB v. happy

The Albert Memorial

On Friday we rose early to catch our 7.10am (12 hour) bus ride to Edinburgh via Birmingham; at our pick up point, the driver drove straight passed us.  So we had to double decker it to Victoria Station and then catch a later connection.  The bus company (National Express) took full responsibility so thankfully we didn’t have to pay for our tickets again, but it did mean we didn’t pull into Edinburgh until 9.30pm.  But we’re here now and without sounding like a broken record, this city is just fantastic!  Today we spent time up at Edinburgh Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots spent time when she wasn’t in exile, and gave birth to King James XI.  We also wandered up Calton Hill and visited the Nelson monument. 

Edinburgh Castle

The JB gets ready to fire

Calton Hill view from Edinburgh Castle

Pick the Italian Stallion...

Movie title: When Mustafa met Habibah

Edinburgh Castle from Calton Hill

So, we’re here in bonnie Edinburgh (aye!) for another couple of days before heading to bonnie Inverness; the JB is growing a beard to shelter him from the cold even though he’s looking more like Grizzly Adams each day.  There’s a lot of blokes around in kilts – even saw an asian one today - not right.  Even funnier when they speak in the ‘Scawtish drawl’. 

Asian in kilt???

The weather has been threatening rain all day, but so far we’ve escaped any major downpours.  We’re staying in a lovely bed and breakfast which is the first place we’ve stayed in that feels like home.  We’re planning a few more touristy adventures which we’ll update you all on next time.  Until then, keep eatin’ your Haggis… aye!