Our long-awaited safari is finally underway. Another casualty of COVID and 2020, our trip to Southern Africa is finally underway! Flight delays in Las Vegas shortened what would have been an opportune layover in London, but after 10 hours in the air, we decided to spend the few hours we had in London rather than at Heathrow.
The Heathrow Express makes it easy: 15 minutes from the airport to Paddington station, and then a quick ride on the Tube to get around town. With our shortened layover we had to be selective. Maile recalled that Big Ben was surrounded by scaffolding the last time she was here and thought that would be a great place to start. First stop, Westminister.
Big Ben, without scaffolding
Like last time, we were unable to enter Westminister Abbey (which was already closed for the day). We did walk around it, and around the protesters calling for Boris Johnson to resign. Then back on the Tube to Tower Hill.
The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are quintessential London. Especially with the beautiful weather, we encountered, walking around the Tower and across the Bridge is uniquely London.
The Tower Bridge on a beautiful day in London
Its been a few years since Alex and Maile have been to London
We continued our walk along the Thames, back across the London Bridge, and onto Blackfriar’s Bridge. Blackfriars to Embankment on the Circle Line, transfer to Bakerloo, and back to Paddington Station where the Heathrow Express delivered us back to the airport, and to another delayed flight. Still, can’t complain. Enjoying the comfort of the Virgin Atlantic Club Room with a glass of wine while watching the sun set on an unusually beautiful day in London is a tolerable way to wait for our flight to South Africa.