Mind the gap - Blogabond

Just got back from looking around downtown London. The atmosphere is great. I love the cobblestones, they just seem to add so much character. We got home at about twenty past five, Shelley hit the wall and went to sleep as soon as we got back. We took the Jubilee line from where we're staying (Dollis Hill) into London Bridge, deciding to walk from there. First stop was the Tower Bridge. We then traipsed down to St Paul's Cathedral. I can't believe the size of the bloody thing! We walked back the way we came and had dinner at an Irish pub. Two meals and beers for less than thirty bucks - not too shabby. I decided to take the plunge and see if Guinness really is better over here. The answer - hell yeah! Looking forward to Ireland just to taste it over there. Can't say I've ever been a fan of Guinness in Australia but the stuff here really is good gear.

Shelley bought a sim card for her phone whilst we were out. The salesman was a big black guy with two slits in his right eyebrow (Shelley refused to believe my story that the slits were for the number of people he's killed) and two massive Cubic Zirconia earrings. This guy helped break one of my first aims of being in the UK - going a day without some bastard talking about Neighbors or Home and Away. He didn't shut-up about Home and Away.

The weather was quite nice today. Brisk, yes, but the sun was very bright and I was never freezing cold. The other misconception I had was about how everything is supposed to be expensive here. It isn't. I also figured out why the Pom's enslaved Ireland - Ireland must be full of brick factories, 'cause I swear I didn't see many buildings made out of anything else. Apart from the Ad nauseum repetition of copy-cat houses, the architecture is staggering. We went to a train station where the architect obviously decided to go for looks rather than functionality alone and I'm a big fan of that. London gets my award for the ease of travel through its train system. We purchased an Off-Peak pass for three days, costing about $56 Australian. Seems pretty expensive, but one-way in peak time costs $10, so it's definitely worth it. One of the more peculiar things, I thought, was a station with "mind the gap" emblazoned on the platform, as well as a constant "mind the gap" message played over the PA. We minded the gap. Downtown printed on areas people cross the street are the words "Look Left" and "Look Right". Didn't really work for me, I just kept looking at the ground!

Tomorrow we'll go on a tour of London tower. I love the history involved with it. Shelley might give the ice-skating there a burl as well. We'll meet up with Shelley's friend Abby tomorrow night and I've organised to meet up with my mate Mark on Thursday night. We're either looking at hanging around Wimbledon (his area) or meeting up in the city.

The room in the hostel is nice and warm and the heater is on the wall next to my bed so I'm guaranteed a toasty night.

written by

10bastards on November 25, 2008 from London, United Kingdom

from the travel blog: Eurotrip

tagged London

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I think the history of England is definately one of its finer points.. hehe mind the gap... i wonder how many people DIDN'T mind the gap before they started telling everyone.. hrm? there is something to think about.. I haven't checked out your pictures yet but i hope there is one of the cobble stones!! and St pauls cathedral So jealous.. i cant wait.. are you going to castles and stuff? anyways
It sounds like you and shelly are having a great time so far.. YAY for the both of you!!

take care!

written by Amsley on November 25, 2008

Speaking of Home and Away, have you seen Barry yet? You hurt him and you're in for some trouble!

written by Dean on November 25, 2008

Barry is goooorrrrne!

written by

10bastards on November 25, 2008

We only know and love PORTER'S GAP and we should be there now minding the Gap fruit which is fast ripening, however we will be back there on Monday
Dad is proud and also jealous of your Guiness drinking
How was the ordinary beer?
That miserable 30 hours is the precise reason I am never travelling internationally
The cobblestones remind me of Melbourne

written by Kathleen Maher on November 27, 2008

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