Off to Covent Garden we go - a busy busy day planned with much sight seeing for the kids.
Amy had already demanded London Eye and Big Ben - locked in!
But 1st things 1st off to a lovely Sunday brunch with my ever so lovely and beautiful friends Carole, Greg, Troy & Tiah. Remember the girls from Singapore, now living back in London.
Off we went to a wonderful restaurant in the middle of Covent Garden - owned by the 'King of Fusion cooking', the Kiwi Peter Gordon. I now have his cook book so watch the food blog for more on that and potentially some stolen ideas, as like me he loves the travel and experience of foods and 'blending'.
The gorgeous couple.
Our great mates Greg and Carole, looking beautiful guys!
All the girls.
Amy, Tiah and Troy.
Looking good ladies!
So lovely to see you all.
Brunch at Kopapa's.
I'd go again, and if you want to;
32-34 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials (near Covent Garden).
Packed, mobbed - thank goodness Carole had booked.
Phew.
My 'Turkish eggs'.
Holy crap this was amazing!
Apparently from Changa restaurant in Istanbul - good effort Pete.
2 poached eggs, whipped yoghurt, hot chili butter and 2 slices of bread.
Ho yeah, this was bloody good - amazing in fact!
The gang having fun.
Here we all are.
Just realised have I got ANY buttons done up on my shirt - jeeze!
Finished and off to Covent Garden.
Street entertainment galore - and we stayed to watch the whole show of a VERY funny magician.
Yep guess who got selected to be part of the show - Amy-Boo.
Here holding one of his cups for the finale trick.
Up goes said assistant to hand over the cup for the big trick.
Quite an audience, all clapping Amy for her hard work - well walking capability.
Amy and friends.
Do you think they look like they're having fun.
FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.
My Mary outside The Savoy.
Well hello.
Off to Trafalgar Square.
Funny was that literally a day or so prior to this trip we were at Nan's looking at old photos and there was a picture of us all (Mum, Nikki and me) back in the early 70's. Mum in mini skirt and me a ginger. Amazing shot, and then bugger me here were are some 40 years later same place. Slightly older (cough) and maybe a tad heavier (cough cough!)
Artsy Nelson and his column - ooer!
Yes yes, new camera and all that.
I think it looks pretty damn good.
It had to be done.
Again back to the 70's photos - me and Nikki with the Lions of Trafalgar.
Updated now to 2013 stylee - with Amy and Ollie - nice kids.
Hmmmm where shall we go next.
Where did Amy want to go?
Hmmm not sure what to do?
How about we go home or Amy how about Big Ben.
What do you think won?
But on the way...
Ollie (like he was when he was 2) was fixated on the old walk on, jump off buses.
Luckily en route to next place we were about to cross the road and along comes a No.15 - old style.
A proud No.1 son.
Awaiting babies to be born, Liz is home as the flag is up.
The Mall - now this is pretty impressive.
WTF!!!
Do you know what this is?
I have to admit it took some finding.
On Admiralty Arch at the end of The Mall supposedly where troops used to march and ride horses through to war is this nose. No one is quite sure why or who's it is. But apparently it is supposed to be The Duke of Wellington's who had a large conk.
It is at a height for horse back soldiers to again supposedly 'rub' for good luck - hence it being polished in appearance. Go figure.
Also it may be linked to 1997 and an artist who was against 'Big Brother'.
I luck the former version of the myth.
Why is it lucky to rub a nose - who knows.
I think Amy seems to think it's lucky to pick your nose, as she's always doing that!
Lord Nelson again as we walk away.
Trying to do a Dynamo trick - nothing up my sleeve, but in my inside pocket - ta dah!
Kids going crazy over an old phone box.
Crazy right - iPad/Pod/Kindle is their life, but still they were desperate for this photo.
Ladies now sitting on the horses guarding the barracks.
Beautiful horses.
No smiling or interaction allowed.
I did ask; "why the long face?"
The soldier not the horse!!!
Clearly distracted by something.
Someone just left the 7-11 on Trafalgar Square with some sugar lumps???
Let's have quick stop to see where the PM lives.
Hello Downing Street.
This is now the closest you can get now - armed police and all that.
OK OK as usual I am apologising now for some creative flair in my photos.
Some filters applied.
Some different focus styles applied.
But come on it is some beautiful English Heritage here.
YEAH!!!!
Says Amy.
Big Ben, finally - and a very happy 5 year old!
Artsy version!
Eye Eye!
Next critical agenda item was a walk across the river for Amy No.2 critical must do.
The London Eye.
Bear in mind these are taken through some pretty damn thick glass from within the 'bubbles' on The Eye. Amazing views of our capital city.
Including BT Tower - I think I might have stood to attention and saluted.
Parliament and that BB again!
No not BlackBerry, Big Ben.
Oh yes indeed - here it comes again!!!
FACEBOOK, FACEBOOK, FACEBOOK!!!
The beautiful Thames, on its way down to Putney.
Amy saluting The Desert Rat himself.
General Montgomery.
Apparently my Granddad Joe was in Africa supporting these guys.
Final shot of London before we boarded the bus home.
A VERY much needed sit down and relax for a short while.
Also to allow Ollie to get his much needed half pint for the day.
Phew!
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