Thursday 18th May 2017

The pause before the storm, the excitement of heading north for our holiday, with Tony from NZ. Plans for the first part of the trip, two days and a night in London, change, change and revert back to the original. But an early start, catching a train with commuters at six seemed a step too far. We could catch a later train for less than half the price of a rush hour service, get a taxi into town for a tenner, and still have half a day or more to wander round London.

It also meant not packing Thursday evening, and traveling when we were good and ready, just like a holiday should. So, after the usual Thursday chores; bins, putting them out, getting them back when they had been emptied.

Packing was done, cases forced closed, and we were ready. I arranged the cab to come at quarter past eleven so we could get on the quarter to twelve train.

The taxi driver had visited NZ previously, so he chatted with Tony while I looked out the window, I still love just to stare at the countryside, even familiar passing by the car window.

We arrived at Priory station with enough time to get something t eat, and for Tony another British institution: a Cornish Pasty.

The train arrives and we get seats around the table, looking out of the window, and I hope giving Tony a commentary on what was passing by the train. I mean you knwo the route by now by my words, but Tony saw these with his own eyes, whether he was impressed is another matter however.

We get off at Stratford, walk to the DLR for the ride to Stratford station, so he could see the remainder of the Olympic village, now mostly housing, but some of the venues are still there.

We go on the Jubilee Line, getting a near empty carriage with room for us to sit with our cases. As the journey continues, more people get on and seats and space taken up, after Canning Town the line goes underground, and after that stations are a succession of brightly lit areas with long dark tunnels between.

We get off at Waterloo, and into the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s great cities, up two sets of escalators, cross the street and then into the hushed world of the UJC, which was full of ex=Guards Officers in blaizers and their wives wearing ridicullus fascinators on their heads, en route to some event attended by a minor member of royalty. I imagine.

THe room wasn’t ready, but we were able to leave our cases there, and go out with just our camera equipment as Tony had booked tickets to ride the London Eye. It was just a short walk through residential streets, past the soon-to-be demolished ITV studios and onto the South Bank, past a series of restaurants and bars. I let Tony ride it alone, I sat on a low wall watching people from around the world wander by, and a series of street performers set up and do their thing, dazzling passers-by, then asking for cash to make it pay.

Time flew by, Tony came back having ridden the Eye, got his shots. And with the rain falling we walk back towards the club, stopping off at a cafe in the National Theatre for a snack and drink, while outside a real rain began to fall..

Having drunk pale ales and eaten chips with mayo, we walk back to the club, check in and get the key to the room. Outside we had a great view of Waterloo East, so I was happy enough watching trains come and go, people piling off each train, then filling the platform with a mass of humanity.

The rain showed no sign of stopping, so we had to decide whether to eat in the club, or go out. Despite the food in the club being good and great value, this is a fine city to wander round, even in the rain, so we put on coats and walk back to the station and go back to the Jubilee platforms for a train east to London Bridge.

It was half five and the peak of rush hour; we had to wait for three trains to come and go before we squeezed on one for the two stops, but Tony was happy in getting the full “commuter experience”.

It was still pouring with rain back at ground level, so we rush to the entrance to The Shard, go in and paying thirty quid each, are able to board the first of the two express elevator lift up the the 69th floor. Up two more floors by old fashioned stairs, we come to the upper observation deck, with rain falling in. Although there was glass to look through, it was coated with raindrops making photography challenging.

But I take shots on all sides, more than once. Tony even buys me a coffee from what must be the highest coffee shop in London.

Back on the ground, the streets are almost deserted, and have a Victorian feel to them, especially once we get to Clink Street with the rain glistening on the cobbles. It was even possible to take shots.

But we were hungry, and I wasn’t in mood to look endlessly, so the first burger place that had seats we went into. Burger, fries, beer and also being inside means that it ticked all the boxes we needed.

After eating, we were able to walk along the South Bank, with fine views over the river to the City, all lit up likes a huge Christmas tree, looking very much like an electric city.

Just past the Oxo building, we find a man trying to get one of his dogs to obey him, but who would rather chase a friendly fox round and round the area of grass. The owner’s shouting was attracting quite an audience, but neither the fox or dog took any notice, as they were having much fun.

We arrive back at the club, find the bar full of people and the air thick with the sound of dozens of conversations. We go up to the room to dry out, Tony upload shots to various social media platforms, and me to watch the trains come and go in the rain outside.