Walk 1: Big Ben is REALLY Big, and London Bridge is NOT Falling Down!

Hullo again! London's still great, though right now it's typically overcast and wet. It was a lot better out - but much colder - two Saturdays ago when Bill, the London Centre director, took a bunch of us students out for his first Walk. What's a walk? It is a tour around certain parts of London. A walking tour. Inventive title, isn't it?

I kid, the Walks are actually very fun. Bill's been living in London a good 30 years, and since he studies history, there's a lot he can tell us. So on the 17th we had our first outing, starting at the Westminster tube stop, ending at Tower Hill. The walk was a good 11 days ago, and this is rather delayed, I admit. But better late than never, I always say. Well, I don't always say it. It happens to be appropriate to this situation. So I'm using it now.

As I said, we started out at the Westminster tube stop. The moment we came out of the exit - BAM! The London Eye was right in front of us. Oh my gosh, there it is!

What did we see when we turned around? BAM Big Ben! Along with this statue of Boudicca. Pretty nifty.

We walked by Westminster Abbey, and Downing Street, which is all blocked off and guarded. Considering how people regarded Blair, and are starting to regard Brown, I'd say that security is a good idea.

We saw some other places on the North bank before crossing one of the many bridges to the South side. There's a stretch of about five miles of walkway right next to the Thames. We saw the National Theatre, The New Globe, the site of the original Globe...

...went into the Tate Modern, where there was this really weird exhibit about the future, with a very scary giant spider. Like Shelob.

We also looked around at a market. Which was basically cheese heaven. Aw, there were so many delicious cheeses. Let me take a minute to think about it...yes, delicious!

It felt like we walked for so, so long, but it was only about two miles from first crossing the river to getting back to the North side by crossing over at Tower Bridge. I actually stood over the little gap between the sections, and looked down at the Thames! Here's Tower Bridge in the background, with the Tower or London and it's wall in front.

And this is a little pigeon sitting on top of the remnants of the Roman wall. I just thought it was cute.

Thus ends the first Walk. Too fun! Coming soon - recap of Walk Two!