Rushing: Not a Moment To Lose!

Morning from London fans!

Right now I'm in my uber comfortable down sleeping bag (courtesy of a wonderful mum) because the thought of getting out of bed is simply unbearable. It's so cold! but we have photographic proof that we've had really fantastic weather considering that it's london. But its still too cold for T-shirts which means mum was, inevitably, right.

So i was just thinking and its actually been TWO nights in england since my last post! which means i have a bit to fill you in on. So the first night nick, kate and I went to a local pub up in Islington for some beer which was SO much better than its australian counterpart. Its so expensive (nearly 4 pounds, you convert) which means we'll be sober for most of our trip. it's no kontiki, but i'm loving it. I forgot my camera so no pub pictures but the best description is that it was like my grandparents living room. We sat in three grand armchairs and talked mostly about how anxious judy underhill was and will be and how poorly she could hide it over the phone. Combined with jetlag and beer i could barely stay awake but I knew that it was my duty to push
myself to the limit!

After being given directions by a helpful man with possibly the thickest cockney accent ever nick and I had a colossal breakfast (featuring 5 eggs, 200g of bacon, toast and rice bubbles) to try and avoid another meal at lunch. So we marked out some places we wanted to see in the city and head off. It was decided that we took a bag, which proved to be a big mistake. We got to Sainsbury's (like woolworths) and looked for some beverages, finding two 1L bottles of home brand energy drink and 2x2L water bottles for the road. Suffice it to say that by the end of the day our shoulders were so wrecked by hauling this massive weight around all day that we couldn't even stand up and look at the paintings in the national gallery! but i'm getting ahead of myself. Oh yeah and our rule that 'what can go wrong will' proves true 15m out the dor when my bag sets off the electronic gate at Sainsbury's. So embarrassing! I explained my situation to the teller and how I was from Australia but either she was overwhelmed by my accent or stunned by my handsome charms that she let me just go!

So we got out at Bank, in central London. as we climbed out of the stairwell it felt like we were entering another universe, and certainly another exciting chapter of our story. Towering buildings of glass and stone typifies the beautiful CBD. We walked towards St Paul's cathedral first which was so monumental it almost made me forget i had to pay a whole 1AUD to use a public toilet. And is wasn't going to be the last time that day. We literally looked up and we were at Meryll Lynch, Kate's work. Again, so lucky of us! so we weave through the torrents of red double deck buses and old fashioned black taxis towards Thames.

Wow. It's remarkable how one new angle can change a day and that might have been it. The eye, big ben, Westminster Abbey all rose above the cityscape and we set about along the river towards them. We caught the chimes at 1 o'clock as we walked past the abbey, stunned by its incredible design. Sooo much history in every stone in every wall! I had a powerful moment walking past the statue of Churchill having at best a limited understanding of what he did for England. So onwards to the palace!

We went through St James park which was so fantastic. Autumn leaves and squirrels everywhere. We got some photos with some grey-clad guards which was pretty hip. It turns out their guns ARE real! After the palace we were starved so we made our way past Park Lane to get to Mayfair for some cuisine. So that was all the blue streets on the monopoly board done! we had lunch (pasta, 5 pounds) and were served by this Romanian girl who had the most awesome mannerisms. So then we went to Piccadily and Trafalgar square to the national gallery. I got to see all the Da Vincis, Goyas, Cezannes, Van Goughs, Rembrandts I wanted and then we bailed. It was dusk, our feet were sore, our shoulders worse but we were very happy. So we made it home after getting on and off the right lines a couple of times and collapsed onto the lounges.

Vivian, nick's cousin came and picked us up for more Italian at dinner, and we ended up getting undercharged (perfect!) and all very full. Vivian pulled out in front of a bus and almost made us a part of the local scenery but somehow we survived the trip home. Ok so here I am, wondering if i left anything out, ready for another day! I booked a flight for Copenhagen last night, setting me back 400AUD but getting me excited for my next locale! Kate's farewell is on Sat night and My bus leaves at 0230 Sun. good times ahead and not a moment to lose!

until next time people. This is nathan. over.