London Eye

Arrived from Dublin at London City Airport, walked around the corner, waited while a lady asked the one clerk every possible question about every possible transport pass available, then speedily purchased our own pre-paid Oyster cards. Boarded the Docklands Light Rail, changed to the Tube Circle Line at Banks, and "bob's your uncle" we arrived at Notting Hill Gate just like that.

 We trundled our suitcases to the Vicarage Gate Hotel thinking we would have to drop them and return, but our rooms were ready. Unloaded, we set off for lunch at The Prince of Wales pub, then back on the tube to Westminster. Coming up the steps just in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament we were reminded what it is like to travel in August, as you would have thought that the UN had just disgorged it's entire membership onto the Westminster Bridge. 

We strolled the Enbankment, marveling at the architecture, crossed the Jubilee bridge, capturing the quintessential London photo.

And joined the rest of London at The Eye. Having purchased tickets online the ticket line was only about 15 minutes. But, as we hadn't paid the extra £10 for the fast track, our ticket holder's wait was about 30 minutes. Still, there's always plenty to watch. As we came up the ramp to the pods, it started to rain, and during our entire 30 minute ride---it rained. Then as we walked back down the ramp, the sun came out again. Still, as first-timer Tom said--"an experience not to be missed"!

We then walked back across the Jubilee bridge up to Trafalgar Square and marveled at rush hour traffic. We were especially glad that we didn't have a car! With help from the "helpers" in pink we navigated our way to the Tkts booth at Leicester Square in hopes of scoring some cheap theatre tickets. Of course the shows that we wanted to see we're either sold out for the season, or had no discounted seats. As we are only in London once in a blue moon, we opted to forgo any legacy to the children and paid full price to see WICKED!

As it was now bucketing full blast we joined the thronging masses in the tube to return home. The tube was so full we had to shove, shove, shove just to get onboard and then Tom had to stand with his head tilted so the door would shut! At this point you wish that all products were unscented!

Ok, so no Idea why all of a sudden we have red and underlining--sorry, tech glitch!