May Sun 22
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| In the Victorian Engine Rooms |
The River Thames is a big, churning, dirty waterway and it is always busy - water taxis, small passenger ships, yachts, and police boats to name a few. It's also the first time we've seen seagulls since we left NZ.
We start with an exhibition on the Tower Bridge, which takes us into the one of the towers and across the walkways high above the river. We find out how the bridge was designed and built and marvel at its engineering. We also view huge photos of bridges from around the world. We literally tower over the bridge and the Thames. Back on the ground, we visit the Victorian Engine Rooms where the pristine green and black engines were once run by steam (now electricity) to raise the drawbridge. We are just in time to see the drawbridge go up to allow a yacht through.
We start with an exhibition on the Tower Bridge, which takes us into the one of the towers and across the walkways high above the river. We find out how the bridge was designed and built and marvel at its engineering. We also view huge photos of bridges from around the world. We literally tower over the bridge and the Thames. Back on the ground, we visit the Victorian Engine Rooms where the pristine green and black engines were once run by steam (now electricity) to raise the drawbridge. We are just in time to see the drawbridge go up to allow a yacht through.
After a quick and early lunch back at the apartment we head for Kings Cross on the tube to visit the London Canal Museum and then walk the canal tow path to the Camden Markets. We get to see the locks in action and now have an understanding of how it all works (for our canal cruise in France).
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| Scooters make interesting seats for hungry people at the markets |
The market is a colourful, seething mass of people and music that winds its way around a small area of the canal. We have to push our way through the stalls and bodies. The air is thick with perfume, perspiration and cooking smells. Noise is everywhere. We find a semi-quiet cafe and Max orders an iced coffee and that is exactly what he gets - cold coffee with chunks of ice. You should have ordered a coffee frappe, says the waiter, if you wanted icecream in it. Well, now we know!
Over the bridge and the market spills into the streets - colourful, loud, spiked hairdos and shops jam-packed with every kind of 'I love London' souvenirs.
We get on the tube and head to Covent Gardens. Oh, the difference, the upmarket shops, the leisurely atmosphere! What a contrast. We take a ride on a cycle taxi to get an overview of the area. The rider has to pedal hard to take us up a small rise in the streets and over lumpy cobblestones that make our teeth and bones chatter. Our intention was to go to the Museum of Transport but we decide instead to catch a tube back to Embankment Pier and walk over the Millenium Bridge to the London Eye. Great choice!  |
| Our view of the Thames from the London Eye |
The London Eye is like a huge slow ferris wheel. Each pod takes up to 26 people and the ride takes approx. 20 minutes. We are soon scaling the heights above the city and viewing London in all her glory. Early evening is the perfect time to come - no queues and a golden hue spreading across the Thames and her city.
Another perfect day.
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