Living it up in London

With Annabel's help we made it to London with only one U turn, but once we reached Heathrow the fun started. We were trying to get to the Europcar returns office - after we'd gone through a tunnel in both directions twice we decided that poor Annabel wasn't coping (neither were we) so managed to exit onto Bath Road, turn onto Sipson Road, do a U turn near the Holiday Inn where we'd stayed earlier, and get to Europcar. Then we took the shuttle bus to T3. found our way onto the Underground (we were so proud of ourselves!) and travelled to Russell Square station. From here it was an easy walk to the Harlingford Hotel. We left our bags and went off to find some lunch in the cafe in Russell Square.
Next stage was a train trip to Hyde Park Corner. From here we walked through Green Park and St James Park as well as joining the mass of tourists milling around Buckingham Palace. Yes, it's impressive, and the guards with their bearskin hats are amazing. One thing we've discovered is that the Brits do like their memorials, both war and other events such as the Bali bombing in 2002. We couldn't walk past 10 Downing St as it was cordoned off and guarded by police with guns. We thought it would be a good idea to walk across Westminster Bridge but so did far too many other people, and the assorted buskers and other entertainers on the footpaths. We walked up to Trafalgar Square (very impressive monument here) and then to Leicester Square station for the trip back to our hotel. We were just in time to experience the joys of the Underground at peak hour. Lost count of all the toes we trod on as we attempted to, and eventually succeeded in, our exit at Russell Square - apologies to all the affected Londoners!