Winding down . . .

Bus transport has eluded us during our previous trips to London, so in our effort to expand our bus experience we set off to go to Trafalgar Square overland. Got the correct bus and trundled merrily along (front seats upstairs) as far as Westminster, when the conductor popped by to ask our destination. National Portrait Gallery, just behind Trafalgar Sq.  Well, it seems that Saturday is a good day for protesters to march - in front of Houses of Parliament and in Trafalgar Sq. So he suggested we get off and walk as the bus had to deviate from its regular route due to crowds of demonstrators. We got off by Big Ben, and strolled along Whitehall to our destination. 

At the Nat'l Portrait Gallery we went directly to the Tudor section - for Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and some of their pals. To me, these portraits offer very realistic images; eyes seem to sparkle and little smiles reveal character. The Gallery is overwhelming, with rooms off of rooms, and centuries on top of centuries. After exploring for a bit we headed off to find out about a portrait of Marion's great x4 grandfather - Admiral Alan Gardner.  It's actually held at Nat'l Maritime Museum, but she was able to have a colour copy printed off here on art paper, so was pleased. 

Our next stop was Covent Garden.  It had started to rain a little, and the crowds were difficult to negotiate, so we found a coffee shop - only seating was this little bench out front - good people-watching spot!

Although the caffeine recharged us, there were still masses of people in the area. The demonstration had disrupted traffic everywhere, so there were very few vehicles, except police. This made it easier for us to cross the roads (an issue 'cause we're still looking the wrong way before crossing!) but the crowds made it tricky to move.  Apparently there were 80,000 demonstrators in the area that day!  We found a restaurant (opera themed pics and music) for lunch and then called it a day. 

On the recommendation of our Winnipeg friend Pat, our Sunday destination was the Camden Street Market in North London. We arrived here a little in advance of the crowds, so explored some of the lanes and kiosks, still relatively passable.  Everything you can imagine available for sale.  Lots of crafts, antiques, clothes, new and used everything.  Tourist stuff and strange stuff.  Cosmetics, soap, sauces, chocolate and hats, baby clothes and toys for all.  

But then the other folks arrived - train-loads of them, filling the street as they came towards the market.   We bailed for coffee outside the precincts. Then entered the fray one more time. We went through the food kiosks but it became a difficult task to move anywhere so had to extradite ourselves from there and came out along the canal just as a barge went through the lock. Watched the canal and its two locks for awhile and then headed for home. 

Camden lock 

For the second time in 2 days we encountered Tube stations that were closed due to overcrowding.  On both occasions the station was for exit only, and closed to new entries. We were directed to walk 6-8 minutes to next station to access the Tube. Seemed bizarre - 'cause all the same people still ended up on the train.  We could hardly wait to get back to Sloane Square and "home" to feel like we could relax.

Only one more day in London before we fly home.