A jubilee time in London

the intrepid travellers

Well we certainly picked a busy long weekend to hit London town... the queens jubilee Thames flotilla (biggest in 300 years) , huge concert outside Buckingham palace a royal procession and service at st Paul's cathedral...but we had an awesome time...the cold and sometime damp weather could not quench our spirits and we soldiered on in our touristy way.
Stayed at the awesome Raddison on Bloomsbury st (recommended and great rate) and with our eldest,Michelle as tour guide (she had previously lived in London for 8 mths) we hit the "tubes"...firstly to Nottinghill and the famous portabella road markets and the obligatory bargains (hats,t-shirts,shoes etc) do not know how we are going to be by the time we get home.Union jacks were everywhere with lots of national pride on display...great stuff.

some fine English professionals

queen Elizabeth's advice

amazing street graffiti

After some freshening up we headed out again to "Brick lane" famous for the Indian cuisine (which you haggle over the offers), melting pot of races and the amazing street graffiti....what a place full of character and life, you just have to watch your wallet.

anita,michelle and kaye enjoying the lights

Thankfully we had lots of walking to remove the unwanted poundage from our feasting lifestyle. On our way back to our hotel we made the obligatory stop at Piccadilly square to see the amazing billboard light show and so as it grew colder and wetter we trudged home , a fantastic first day in London some 34 years after our first visit.