Sunday 13 April 2008

Cookies and Sightseeing...

Last week I received an email from friends in Florida, who arrived to stay with me on Wednesday, asking if there was anything we would like them to bring over with them.

There was only one thing on the list as far as No2 and myself were concerned...


...not just one pack either...




...and not just the usual amount of stuf...

We eased them in slowly on their first visit to the UK with an afternoon trip to our nearest shopping mall and then on Friday we hit London full in the face with The Big Red Bus sightseeing experience.

Piccadilly Circus

Having borrowed warm coats (Floridians, evidently don't own puffa jackets!) we braved the elements on the open-top bus and drank in the best of the sights. In spite of being a born and bred Londoner, and having lived here all my life, I'm still impressed with what we have to offer.

The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square


Big Ben


The London Eye


Despite a dodgy weather forecast, we managed to stay dry - the only time it rained was when we were on the London Eye, which got me a dramatic photo of The Houses of Parliament using the black and white setting on my camera.

The Houses of Parliament

Pods on The London Eye

We got off the bus to go on the London Eye and then jumped on the river boat to travel down the Thames to the Tower of London.

Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast

The Tower of London

Then it was back on the bus to complete the loop via St Paul's Cathedral.


It's a great way to see all the major landmarks and the tour guides are full of knowledge and have a great sense of humour, making it fun and interesting. You can hop off and on to keep nicely topped up with coffee and pastries...

Yesterday, they braved the London Underground by themselves and this morning they have flown off to Amsterdam for 3 days. I can get my breath back ready for an action-packed week when they return on Tuesday. Stonehenge, Salisbury, Southwold and Stratford-upon-Avon beckon...

10 comments:

  1. oreos - no, reeses peanut butter cups Yes.
    looks like you've been having a great time, love the photos, we had the same experiences, you see your turf with different eyes when you have visitors with you

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Big Red Bus certainly gets around doesn't it? What a fun way to travel and see all the sights. I like the fact you can get on and off and stop for pastries and suchlike!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sometimes it's so much fun to be a tourist in your own town - we plan to do something similar (though obviously on a smaller scale) on the open top bus in Cambridge this summer.

    Hope the oreos give you enough energy for the week to come ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful pictures! Really great ... makes me want to go and visit London again.

    As for the Oreos ... Tesco now sell them, and so does my local Sainsburys! x

    ReplyDelete
  5. London really IS amazing isn't it? And your photos certainly do it justice.

    And Oreos are in my Tesco's too, just shout if/when you run out!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful photos! I hope I get to see it myself one day.. oh and I've never tasted an Oreo :O)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'll bring you vegemite from Australia if you'll be my tour guide.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the black and white photo in particular, it's brilliant! Glad you have time to take a breath before the next stint! Have fun in Stratford, we may pass each other without realising (make sure you take them to Carluccios for coffee and cakes, yum!)x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah, London...love that city! Your photos are fantastic! Oreos...Now I'm American, and Oreo is apparently America's favorite cookie...But would you believe, I've NEVER liked them?! True...they're not chocolatey enough. LOL! But I wish you joy as you snack on your lot of Oreos! ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a wonderful whistlestop tour and fabulous photos too. Sometimes it takes the fresh eyes and enthusiasm of visitors to help you appreciate the sights again.

    ReplyDelete

Hi! Thanks for leaving me a comment, I really enjoy reading them and I will try to reply if I can find an email address for you...