May 26: Guess where we are!

Hint:

Taken from the footbridge at 6:15 this evening.

We drove down from York and returned the car.  Ah, how simple that sounds!  Renting a car rather than taking a packaged tour was a mixed blessing.  We got to see so many things that we would not have seen if we had been on a regular tour, but I can't say I'm sorry to be a pedestrian again.  Although I got used to the much larger car and driving on the other side of the road, I found that as both driver and navigator I had to really concentrate on the stretch of asphalt in front of me, and didn't get to see as much of the surrounding countryside as I would have liked.  The person in the driver's seat makes a bit of a sacrifice.  I'm feeling guilty for all the driving that Ian did in Turkey, but grateful for how much of turkey I saw!

We can't agree on yesterday's best name:  do you prefer 'Blubberhouses" or 'Nidderdale'?  Although Nidderdale might not sound like a strong contender, try saying it out loud.

Anyway, after only a few trips through the Heathrow tunnel, we managed to return the car.  At Heathrow we bought Oyster visitor's cards, and soon were on the tube.  After we checked in, we were anxious to see some of this incredible city, so set off on the tube for downtown.  Alanna was so excited when we popped out at Westminster Station she was shaking!  It might have been shock:  after weeks in the countryside with side trips to the city, we were suddenly in a supercrowded city on a warm Saturday evening.  We both had to concentrate pretty hard to keep from being seperated.

Here are some more clues to this city!

Big Ben

Houses of Parliament

Queen Boudicca guarding the entrance to the bridge.

Westminster Cathedral

We went to see the place where Sherlock (BBC) is set.  I was amazed to find post it notes and chalk drawings on the ground.  Alanna thought it was okay, as you can see by the video.