Fourth Time's the Charm
New sights and experiences in an old town

This was my fourth trip to London, and I had even been the previous summer (to go to Wimbledon), so I had to stretch to find new things to see and do.  I ended up taking a cruise on the Thames; visiting Sir John Soame's house, the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, and Trafalgar Square; walking down Whitehall past Horseguard's and No. 10 Downing St; and touring Westminster Abbey.

From Paddington Station (a familiar haunt from the previous summer), I bought a day Travelcard (for £5.10) and took the subway to Westminster.

No matter how many times I go to London, I'm a sucker for a Big Ben picture on a sunny day!		The weather was beautiful.  The boat was larger than I expected.  I got on at the Westminster dock.
The view of the crazy London Eye was spectacular.		Our guide pointed our the Egyptian obelisl
Still, after four trips, I've never been into St. Paul's Cathedral.  (My sister has, though.) Something to do next time!		This ship is a replica of The Golden Hinde, Francis Drake's galleon.
I was in London with an English graduate course, so it was appropriate to see some English literature sites, like Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.		I love modern architechture, and London's City Hall is so striking!
Can't resist a view of Tower Bridge!		There, to the left of the trees, is the White Tower of the Tower of London.
I wonder when Traitor's Gate was filled in?		After the cruise, I took the subway to Holborn Station and walked to Sir John Soane's Museum, as I'd never been there before.  Admission is free, but I bought two postcards.  The highlight was the sarcophagus of Seti I.
We were supposed to meet as a group and tour Westminster Abbey at 3 pm, but many of our group were missing at that time.  We went in at 3:45 pm.  Admission was £7. The ceiling and windows were beautiful.  The cloisters were nice.  The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was moving.  Other than those, I was unimpressed.