Shattered

I have picked up the lingo, yeah? We are "shattered" (exhausted) after the last two days, but it's been fantastic.

However, we forgot that yesterday was Sunday, because we lost track of the days (like ya do, on holidays, y'know) and tried to see Westminster Cathedral yesterday morning. They're closed to tourists on Sunday, so maybe we'll have a chance to catch that when we get back from Croatia, maybe not.

We did get up close and personal with Big Ben though.

And because we Americans are dorks, there was a fellow with an American accent who walked up to me and said "Do you know where Big Ben is? Are we close?" We all just pointed up and watched him turn several shades of crimson. lol

Westminster Cathedral, you're bringin' me down...

The front doors 

Then a walk through St. James Park, which is a fabulous place for bird lovers - swans,

 herons, ducks, geese, magpies, and quite a number of other birds that I had no idea what they were.

I have no idea what this little guy is but there were hundreds of them and they were adorable!

Next was Buckingham Palace...

...Mom was a bit miffed when she found out that we hadn't arranged an audience with the Queen. The Union Jack was flying out front, which means she's not in residence anyway, so we were off the hook.

We then went to Brixton Market for a "snack", and found out that we're really susceptible to suggestion when we're hungry. We were just going to get a couple of dumplings to hold us over, because we were going to a barbeque at the house of one of Alex's tennis buddies later. This is us agreeing to one of everything on the menu. Probably.

Got so busy having a ball with her tennis buddies that I forgot to take any pictures. They were all really lovely people and very welcoming. But we couldn't stay long because Alex had a comedy night scheduled at The Old Dairy. This was on the north end of town, which is a section I hadn't visited before. It's amazing what a different vibe it had. Seemed much quieter. 

The venue

It was a themed night for the comedy - the Tories and the DUP coalition (Gah! What?!? I know!)

The emcee

And bless her funny little heart, she won the best joke of the night award! Which was not so much an award as a hearty pat on the back.

 And this was our view when we left the place -

Monday -

Alex had much to do today, so Mom and I went on our own to the Tower of London. The weather had been so pleasant for the whole trip until today - it was downright cold and windy, but at least it didn't rain.

Jubliee and Munin keeping a wary eye on us when we entered.

In line for the Crown Jewels exhibit

The Line of Kings Exhibit in the armory

Can't quite remember who this bloke is, but I'm sure he was a tosser.

Jubilee and Munin had followed us to the other side to make sure we found our way out as quickly as possible.

We then met up with Alex for an early dinner, and set off for St. Paul's Cathedral. We didn't pay to go in, because, well, I don't know. We'd about had it, I guess. Then we took the lift in the shopping mall across the way to the rooftop observatory and got a great panoramic of the skyline

St. Paul's

St. Paul's and skyline. Cranes are EVERYWHERE.

And although that should be ENOUGH, we're heading back out this evening to meet Alex's flatmate. Then out the door tomorrow at 7 am for Croatia.