Day 18- London 26 Sept 2013

Blue sky, sun and a cool breeze greets us as we step out into the morning, can this be London? We head to the underground to catch the train to Trafalgar Square, the national gallery is our first stop, we arrive before the doors open so we get to wander around without any crowds. I wanted to see Renoirs parasols, but I cannot find it, I decide to ask one of the security officers and he tells me the most wonderful story. It turns out the owner of the painting had a will leaving the painting to the Dublin national gallery, and he was killed in the sinking of the titanic, when the y went through his papers they found a second will, this one leaving all his paintings to the national gallery of London. The two gallery decided that instead of a long court battle they would share the collection which unfortunately for me meant my Renoir was sent to Dublin at the start of this year where it will stay for the next 6 years.

Wandering down Whitehall we take a look at Downing Street before heading off to Westminster Abby, we wander around looking at the magnificent carvings before heading over to Parliament House and Big Ben, we are right on the stroke of 12 so Big Ben is in full voice.

Next it is across the bridge heading for the eye, the themes is at low tide but still running pretty fast. After som lunch it is off to the eye.

19 pounds gets us a ticket for a ride, they queue is short and it is not long before we have boarded the gondola and are heading skywards. With the weather holding and the sun out we get a good view over the city, all the way down to St. Paul’s and on to the business district.

All in all a great last day in London, tomorrow we get the car and hit the road.

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