London - Day 4 - 31st August 2023

We bid farewell to the ever-generous Eva as she dropped us and all of our ridiculous amount of luggage at Worcester Park Station. A train and black cab ride later and had our bags dropped off at the Z Hotel on the Strand. Man, we were right in the heart of the West End Theatre district, and we hit Pret for breakfast. Now, dear readers, you would by now know how much we LUUURVE Pret-a-Manger, and even though it is rather expensive, we do feel much better eating it while we travel, and we always manage to find some new delicacy that we try and recreate back home. Today it was a simple breakfast item of pureed mango with banana slices, topped with toasted granola, coconut slices, and pomegranate pearls. Delish. This was washed down with organic coffee and almond croissants.

OK, we were rested, watered, and in the heart of London on a beautiful summer’s day - time to hit the frog.

We first walked up to Leicester Square and checked out the Lego shop. Birthdaypressie for Riv - check. We then spent an hour or so in the National Portrait Gallery before a second coffee in Waterstones bookstore to prepare us for the Tower of London. By joining a member’s area of the National Trust or something, we gained cheaper access to both Hampton Court and the Tower. We met the Beefeater in the now filled-in moat area and spent the next two hours going all through the grounds and buildings of this insane complex. He told us all about the infamous prisoners that have been held in the tower, some gruesome stories about botched beheadings, and even how he stood watch over the Queen’s coffin. It was a pretty good way to spend a summer's day. We finished off by looking at The Crown Jewels and getting some great pics.

By this time, we were ready for a bevvy and after we walked acrossTower Bridge, we had a pint and a G&T at a pop-up bar, before a second one on the Bar of the HMS Belfast. By now it was cold and windy, and we grabbed the train back to The Strand.

Dinner was at the Japanese version of Pret - Itsu. We had duck steamed bao buns with chicken gyoza and veg soup. We then checked into our tiny, yet funky room at the Z, and settled in to watch Return of the King on TV.

A huge day - well over 20000 steps.