Scenes from Tower Hill station

Out of all the tube stations, I like this the most for easy access to some of the most iconic landmarks in London . You can see The Shard from here already.

Once you emerge from the station, there'll be many things that will make you stop for a moment...like this 3rd century Roman Wall for instance

...or this replica of Emperor Trajan who ruled from 98AD



Make your way through this foot tunnel . See the signboard.

....where art and busking converge

There's a small shallow well at the end of this tunnel.

Kind of creeped me out a bit. Didn't take pictures of that as I got some bad vibes off it.

Moving on....tower on our left

....right hand side . So many things to see so little time.

Don't walk all the way up front

Turn left here if you intend to go to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge



Of Wenlocks and Mandevilles

In case you didn't know already, the Wenlock is an Olympic mascot whereas the Mandeville represents the Paralympic games. Mandevilles have a larger triangular head with a cycling helmet hairstyle whereas Wenlocks are smaller necked.

As you can see, they were an instant hit with most kids like this Maritime Wenlock below.

Found the first Mandeville inside our hotel.

This golden raven patterned one was installed just along the pathway to the Tower of London.

The Beefeater Mandeville lay further down the cobbled road

 

With 83 statues scattered around London, if I weren't so hard pressed for time, I would have joined the hunting bandwagon too.

Paul Bakery ( PF )

Paul is a french bakery chain that is reknowned for its rather reasonably priced offerings

Heard so many rave reviews about it being THE place for bread, established in the 1889 bla bla....thus I want to try this out for myself today

Our £5.20 takeaway feast from Sainsbury's ( NH )

Sainsbury's makes it possible to have a filling meal for slightly more than a fiver in the middle of expensive London. Just head over to their roast counter.

Take one (gigantically barbaric sized )

cooked gammon shank  priced at £ 2.75

Nando's London ( U )

There are approximately 65 Nando's restaurants in London alone with more than 250 outlets spread over the UK .

We decided to dine here because we wanted to make a comparison with the outlets we have back home.

Downstairs was too cramped for comfort so up we went

Beefy British Bobbies

Don't know if they realise how much of an attraction they are to us tourists but it's a fact that we do like to snap them. Maybe I got lucky but the mercury suddenly shot up a few notches when I chanced upon these fellas on duty. The secret must be in the long white sleeves. Looks flattering on the 'manlier' ones.

From the way the beefier one is walking,it looks as if he's having a blast . Do the catwalk yo......

Upon closer inspection.....my gawd . Can someone please fan me already ?

Vavavoom

Caught this one by surprise.

Think I had better stop looking already .

Just a thought but such fine speciments ought to be sized down and put on a calender as a souvenir for the ladies to take home and slowly pore over .

Benugo at the NHM ( PF )

It's my first time here and I love it already. The setting is nothing short of spectacular.

Various muffins and cakes are laid out in the middle like a mini banquet for you to pick and choose

Is this elegant or what ?

Natural History Museum

I could spend the whole afternoon here exploring this ornately gorgeous museum

Not sure what that is but I'm not going closer just in case I get nightmares of the jurassic kind

Line up in an orderly manner to get in.

Entrance is free.

Dippy the dinosaur skeleton will be there to usher you in

That's what they call him here. I'm not making it up. You can even make him light up by giving him pounds though.

From this angle, he looks like the Alien chasing after Sigourney Weaver

This is his current BFF. The Dissected camel



Ghastly astonishing.

Imagine what the pharoahs would pay for this kind of embalming service

Find myself admiring the stunning view of the busy gift shop from the upper exhibits.

Don't miss out on the little details while you are here

Not even the modern day water closet

Alas I am not alone and we make our way out sooner than I would have preferred.

Website : www.nhm.ac.uk/



Coca-Cola Diner - breakfast buffet ( NH )

You know you are in good hands when a table laden with thoughtful spreads is placed at the entrance.

Clean and Cosy on the inside.

Holiday Inn Kensington Forum - Our Room

First thing we saw when we opened the door. Nice and simple with a flatscreen tv.

Coffee making facilities are above the mini bar

Turned our attention to the bed

Firm and inviting. No squeaks. Thank goodness.

Can't wait to sink into this sofa

Checked the closet.

Real bummer.There's no safe deposit box anywhere to be seen.

Bathroom next.

Tub and shower.

Enough towels and basic toiletries provided

Time to rest my weary head.

Website : www.hikensingtonforumhotel.co.uk

Location : 97, Cromwell Road, London SW7 4DN

Holiday Inn Kensington Forum - Lobby

While the hotel is fairly easy to find since it's on the same tube line from Heathrow, be prepared to lug your luggage up two landings in the underground station as the lifts only start after that.

There'll be a doorman dressed in coat tails and top hat outside the revolving doors to greet guests. 

Nice touch that !

Concierge is where most go to book theatre tickets .

We were lucky to get Miss Encka at the reception. She was extremely helpful and professional all at once. A calm welcoming presence, especially after a long flight.

Two thumbs up ! Really appreciated.

Look at the bottom.

They're all decked out in the spirit of the games

That over and done with, we head inwards

Glass display round the corner to tempt you into picking up some keepsakes from the gift shop near the entrance

Website : www.hikensingtonforumhotel.co.uk

Address : 97, Cromwell Road, London SW7 4DN



Heathrow

It's around 6.30 am or so. Dreary,chilly...cold weather upon arrival.

Don't let this alarm you. 

Baggage claims surely cannot be THAT far off.

Maybe they're exhausted.

Wonder how many missed the welcome posters.

Quite positive EVERYONE saw this one though

Focus .....what was I doing here again ? Oh yea. My bags !

Now which country would send an entire classroom of schoolkids to the Olympics ?

Tried to use the Fast Track to bypass them.

Don't. It's reserved for flight crew and etc.

Had to make an embarassing U turn out again to join the main line.

More Pink reminders as to what season this is

Immigration was so efficient and lightning fast we found ourselves out here looking for signs to the tube in less than 8 minutes

Only to be stopped in our tracks by these two very hardworking and friendly volunteers whose job was to arm all new arrivals with a map and guidebook

Everywhere one turned, one was bound to bump into an athlete or other.

 Finally after a long,long walk we reach the entrance of the underground .