Fly and Flyspring No 2 had a very full day, getting on and off the on-and-off bus and seeing something of London. The traffic was pretty awful, so the buses moved very slowly, but that gives plenty of gawking around and photo opportunities. Apparently traffic is extra bad because there are ongoing demonstrations – the Occupy London movement. Near Saint Paul’s there is a tent city – they can have that, in this weather. Traffic is being diverted around various points, - the guide on the bus said it has been going on for some months. Late in the day the buses could not go along the route that has a stop near our hotel, so diverted along Oxford and Regent Streets. We got out intending to get the tube from Oxford Circus, but could not get within coo-ee of the underground station. There are two entrances to the underground either side of the road, and both were chock-a-block with stolid Brits waiting with impassive faces to get down the stairs to the tube. They spilled out over the road and blocked traffic. I asked a chap in a uniform with an Information badge if this was a regular occurrence, and he said yes, when the tube station gets full of people, they close it until some of the people get cleared off by trains coming through. The waiting throng must stand on the stairs, on the surrounding roads etc. I did not ask how many cycles of opening-closing of the station a waiting person might expect to endure…… We walked back Euston Square….
But… a good slab of time during the day was spent at The Tower of London. This is done very well, British thoroughness. Very good presentations and commentaries. There were plenty of people about, though not enough to slow down progress at any point; probably it was good to be seeing it at this time of year rather than in full tourist season in the summer. One of the several winter outdoor skating rinks around London has been set up by the Tower. Another in Hyde Park, another in the courtyard of Somerset House. Although experienced as a skater, being a former member of the well-known “Off-cuts”, Fly did not take to the ice.
Later in the afternoon, 4.30 pm but quite dark, we were disgorged from the bus back in Regent Street, the bus being unable to take the route which went reasonably near to hotel-home. So we had a wonderful hour in Hamley’s – the oldest toy store in the world, so they claim. It was magic - five floors of toys, with so much energy going. Lots of young people demonstrating various current-season toys and generally having a very good time with each other and with customers. Children, young and old, (including the two flies) wide-eyed with wonder. Outside on the pavement, Santa’s elves dance and throw sweets at everyone they see. And of course the cash registers were ringing. A great retailing environment. Even the fly bought two toys for goodness’ sake! Like I need toys!!! (I noticed yesterday too, that in contrast to our big department stores at home, where sometimes if takes an effort to find someone to take your money, Selfridges and Debenhams were dripping staff. Not sure what this says about our comparative economic situations. One thing I have noticed is that items here have a price which I would think was appropriate at home, but it is pounds not Aus dollars. So things are expensive.
After Hamley’s we got lost trying to find Liberty’s, and then came the confrontation with Oxford Circus underground, and the crisp walk home as the alternative.
No pics - I forgot to bring the piece of electronic paraphernalia that allows downloading of pics from camera to computer.
MIGs - I have managed to acquire for each of you, not a William and Kate tea-towel, but a fridge magnet which captures the magic moment of 'The Kiss' on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. I know you will love them.
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