Day 2 London

March 28, 2010  Sunday
Light spring rain lulled us to sleep, making up for the street noise and loud neighbors. There is something quaint, simple and pleasant about our hotel which, in retrospect, made London a great experience. We woke up to grey skies and a full sunny day — no rain! Today is London’s daylight savings, so we lost another hour of sleep. 8:30 a.m. Our typical breakfast buffet (including one banger). The hotel waiters are friendly, bringing us toast and hot water for tea. 

We took the Tube to Waterloo to see London Eye. 

The line was long so we continued to walk across the bridge over Thames River. Saw a few mimes dressed as Charlie Chaplin, silver men and Winnie the Pooh. Passed Whitehall Gardens and eagle statue until we reached Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. 

Westminister Abbey — the architecture is amazing. The square was full of tourists even though the Abbey was closed. 

We walked by St. James Park, where Beau was fascinated with the squirrels, pigeons and pelicans. Yes, we do have those in the States! Continued on to Buckingham Palace, where we saw the changing of the guards, in grey not red. 

After all the walking, we searched for a loo for Beau. Circled back to Westminester to use the public restroom, which costs 50 pence.
Took another 30 minute walk towards Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. When we found it, it was closed (after 11:30 a.m.)! Backtracked to Tate Cafe in Tate Modern for a late lunch. 

In London, it was all about fish, chips (fries) and a pint. Tate Modern museum exhibited a few of my favorite modern art: Andy Warhol’s pink and yellow cow room; Rodin’s The Kiss; Pierre Haygle’s No Ghost Just a Shell exhibition, along with disturbing art by Paul McCarthy — naked man performing “a tuck” and placing a hot dog … Google it. Free entry – Tate Modern … I don’t even need to comment about the shape of this building.  

Before heading back, I was determined to see my favorite Girl with a Dolphin statue by David Wynne, 1973. I knew it was by Tower Bridge so we walked on, passing London Bridge (sadly, this area is so commercial with the amusement-type tours) and Design Museum (behind giant black bean). 

We had to cross Tower Bridge to see my statue. It was the longest walk ever, but worth it! 

Photos: Beau and Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved. 
I found/loved this Gandhi message on the way back in the Tube… 

After a full day of sun and walking, we called it an early night — Beau was asleep by 7:30 p.m. I was hoping to check out a live show at Astoria 2, but unfortunately this popular venue closed down.