ANOTHER DAY IN LONDON

Caught the DLR to Limehouse and then walked and walked until I came to the Ragged School Museum. I had planned to go there on Thursday and didn't check that it was open on Friday. Lucky for me a young lady who was working there answered the door and let me in. The Ragged Schools were originally set up by Dr Barnardo in 1867.

Ragged School Museum

Victorian Class room

Dr Barbardos brolly and specs

When I  left there I started walking to Mile End station and saw this graffiti by a skate board park. There hadn't been much graffiti around so this really stood out.

A bus came along so I figured that would save my feet a bit. Got a tube from Mile End to Holborn on the Central Line then changed to the Piccadilly Line to Green Park. Not straightforward trips around here!

At Green Park I walked through the park and saw lots of people coming toward me. Figured they had all been to the Changing of the Guard as it was nearly midday and that was at 11.30am. There should be less people at Buckingham Palace was my thought. Wrong! Seems the changing was still happening and I caught the band and soldiers marching back to their barracks.

After watching them I walked down the Mall. Looks like autumn has arrived as there were so many dead leaves on the ground. It was a lot fun swishing through the leaves. Think I might be in my second childhood.

Along the way I visited the Tribal Art Gallery. It seemed as if it was a place where collectors brought their tribal art pieces for people to buy. Saw a few Polynesian pieces. Mostly they seemed to be of African origin.

Continued on to Trafalgar Square and looked for somewhere to get some food. So many people it was hard to find a place with a table.

After eating I caught a bus to Hyde park and visited the Diana Memorial fountain.

There were brown pathways through the park. On my way out I got close enough to see they were bridal paths for horses.

From Hyde Park I discovered a  Travel Photography display on my way to the National History Museum. There was a world map on the wall where you could put a pin to say which country you are from. New Zealand was totally covered. I put a pin somewhere in the Tasman Sea though.

Then I wanted to get to a Marks and Spencers to change my money for Shanghai. Put M&S in my phone and started walking to the nearest store. Got there to discover that was just a food hall. The security guy there gave me directions to the nearest large store. It was now late afternoon and that sounded like too much walking so I gave up on that idea. Instead I got a bus to Charing Cross Station and the train back to Lewisham.

No wonder I was feeling worn out by the time I got home. That last 10 minute walk uphill is always a struggle..