St. James, Westminster and Lambeth

We took our time this morning, with nowhere we had to be until late morning. We are really enjoying living at Captain Bligh's, and Lambeth is a great location - close to everything, but away from the huge crowds. Apparently as recently as 20 years ago Lambeth was a pretty rough part of town and taxis would refuse to come here. All changed now and it's quite trendy.

When we were finally ready we headed off on the tube towards Buckingham Palace. We had a tour of the state rooms booked for 11:15, but we got there early enough to have a good look around outside first...

The tour inside took about an hour, and it was all quite impressive in a completely-over-the-top sort of way. The rooms and furnishings and artworks were designed to impress and did not fail. There was also a display commemorating the Queen's coronation all those years ago, including the fantastically ornate dress and jewelry she wore. Sadly, no photography allowed inside the Palace.

After the Palace we toured the Royal Mews, which is basically the royal garage. State coaches, stables for the horses who drag them, the Queen's Rolls Royce, a random Maserati of unknown provenance (not pictured)...

By this time we were hungry, so when we exited we bought some lunch and ate it sitting on the lawn in front of the Palace, even though it had started to turn a bit cold by then.

From there we walked down the Mall to Trafalgar Square - we just love the big blue chicken - and then to the Houses of Parliament past some men in red jackets and shiny hats sitting on horses...

We wanted to go to Westminster Abbey, but by the time we got there it was closed. Apparently someone wants to use it for some religious ceremony tomorrow (Sunday). Go figure.

Thwarted at the Abbey, we walked over Lambeth Bridge to Lambeth Palace and the nearby Museum of Gardening, which is unremakable except for the fact that William Bligh's tomb is there. Since we are staying in his house we felt obliged to stop by and pay our respects.

Petra had had enough by then and went back to Cap'n Bligh's for a rest while Phil visited the Imperial War Museum across the road. Unfortunately it's in the middle of a huge renovation, so the displays are limited. There was a very good display on the secret services though - MI5, MI6 and all that.

When Phil returned we set off on a mission to find a decent traditional pub, and after a good deal of wandering the streets of Lambeth and Waterloo we finally found just what we were after. Bangers and mash never tasted so good. Again, inevitably, a group of Australians sat at the table next to us and it was good to swap travel stories and places to go.