Green London

It's amazing what you can find in London if you just stop and look.  Yesterday was a day in London with Joanne, starting out in Regent's Park.  Now, I've lived so close to Central London that I've never actually bothered to have a decent walk around the place - it's kind of like "well, I'm right next to it so I can go anytime".  So it was nice to have a proper stroll around Regent's, which was quiet compared to Hyde Park.  I suspect that it's because it's not as accessible and is out-of-the-way from the main shopping districts.  Having got flapped at by pigeons, we decided not to invade their territory any longer and headed towards the riverside.

It's always nice to have a chat with Jo, who usually asks things to get to know you that little bit better - so don't fret if you happen to meet her, she's just like that...

We had a close inspection of the London Eye (only because we were right next to it) and found that they take pictures of people in the capsules when (and only when) they are in line with the axle.  Whether it's the first or second time you level the centre is not determined as it's up to those controlling the camera.  Something to remember when I go on the Eye.  Had coffee at Tate Modern and then walked further towards London Bridge to head towards Canary Wharf.

Didn't get a proper look around but the Wharf certainly does seem impressive (first time I'd visited).  There're glass skyscrapers in all directions, yet there's a feeling of openness on level-ground in the area just outside of the station.  Beyond here, it opens out and you can see how concentrated the Wharf is once you get to the other side of the Thames.  We'd taken the DLR to Cutty Sark/Greenwich region in the hope that I could show Jo the 'camera obscura', (or here for contact details) but when we had actually found its location, it was too far to walk with the time we had left.  That's because we had a dinner booked at Cafe Rouge - which was lovely, to say the least.  French/British-style food.  Go and experience yourselves - a really friendly place with a nice atmosphere.

And that was about it, really.  Time flew along pretty fast and it was all very enjoyable.  Made sure Jo got home okay, and then thought I'd better hurry along as I managed to catch the penultimate District/Cirle Line tube in order to set me towards Kings Cross.

And then something happened on the train journey home (see below)...