Day 23 - It's Big Ben
Even though I have enjoyed all the places we have seen and the activities that we have done to date, today was probably the most excited I have been as I realised I was sitting down eating lunch and actually looking at Big Ben. I was on the other side of the world. This is such an iconic piece of architecture and here I was looking directly at it and listening to the bells tolling every 15 minutes and on the hour.
As we had limited sleep the day before and lost 5 hours on the way over we took the chance of having a sleep in. We also decided that day 1 in England would be a day to acclimatise and have plenty of rest to ensure we were ready for the next 10 days. After a relaxing breakfast Nikla kindly escorted us to the local train station, left us with some last minute hints and tips and then set us on our way of discovery. In addition to this, Nikla has also made up a challenge for Talia and Zac to find the following:
Armed with our new knowledge and the challenge questions we made our way to Waterloo station which is situated near the Thames, London Eye, Parliament House and Big Ben. We immediately purchased tickets to the London Eye (and Madame Tussauds for later on) and jumped on. You get an excellent view of the surrounding area and it was great to see London from this angle.
After the ride on the Eye, we started to stroll along South Bank and located a crepe shop so stopped for lunch and took time to take in the fact that we were in London and were sitting opposite Parliament House and Big Ben. We then continued to stroll along the River Thames and walked around Parliament House, Westminster Abbey, Horse Guards Parade Ground, past Downing Street and then up to Trafalgar Square before making our way back to Waterloo station to head home. It was a great day taking in all the historical sites and we are looking forward to heading back in again over the next few days to continue to explore all that this wonderful city has to offer. It does put it into perspective when you think about how old these buildings are and the significance they hold in relation to western society and culture.
On the way around, Zac and Talia took the chance to complete some of the challenges by discovering some very tacky souvenirs, pretending to make a phone call in a red telephone box and having their photo taken with a man in a uniform.
We also spotted some very iconic London symbols being the Black Cab and red Double Decker bus.
After arriving home Nikla cooked a wonderful English dinner consisting of toad in the hole (sausages in Yorkshire pudding), roasted spuds and vegetables. For desert we had a delicious raspberry and cream cake. We did request some spotted dick however that is coming later in the week.
As we had limited sleep the day before and lost 5 hours on the way over we took the chance of having a sleep in. We also decided that day 1 in England would be a day to acclimatise and have plenty of rest to ensure we were ready for the next 10 days. After a relaxing breakfast Nikla kindly escorted us to the local train station, left us with some last minute hints and tips and then set us on our way of discovery. In addition to this, Nikla has also made up a challenge for Talia and Zac to find the following:
- A picture of them with the tackiest souvenir
- The wrapper of a chocolate not from Australia
- A picture of then with a man in a uniform
- A picture beside the most expensive car they can find
- The claim to fame of the Clapham Junction station (their local station)
- A picture of them making a call in a red London phone box
- What initials appear on a London post box and what they mean
- A picture with something Australian
- A picture with a celebrity
Armed with our new knowledge and the challenge questions we made our way to Waterloo station which is situated near the Thames, London Eye, Parliament House and Big Ben. We immediately purchased tickets to the London Eye (and Madame Tussauds for later on) and jumped on. You get an excellent view of the surrounding area and it was great to see London from this angle.
After the ride on the Eye, we started to stroll along South Bank and located a crepe shop so stopped for lunch and took time to take in the fact that we were in London and were sitting opposite Parliament House and Big Ben. We then continued to stroll along the River Thames and walked around Parliament House, Westminster Abbey, Horse Guards Parade Ground, past Downing Street and then up to Trafalgar Square before making our way back to Waterloo station to head home. It was a great day taking in all the historical sites and we are looking forward to heading back in again over the next few days to continue to explore all that this wonderful city has to offer. It does put it into perspective when you think about how old these buildings are and the significance they hold in relation to western society and culture.
On the way around, Zac and Talia took the chance to complete some of the challenges by discovering some very tacky souvenirs, pretending to make a phone call in a red telephone box and having their photo taken with a man in a uniform.
We also spotted some very iconic London symbols being the Black Cab and red Double Decker bus.
After arriving home Nikla cooked a wonderful English dinner consisting of toad in the hole (sausages in Yorkshire pudding), roasted spuds and vegetables. For desert we had a delicious raspberry and cream cake. We did request some spotted dick however that is coming later in the week.
