Next, security which is similar to customs as we are leaving the EU for the UK. We did not have to wait long and were soon on the train.  No photography allowed.  Security people are shy. 😂. Find our seats on the Eurostar and head for London.  ​

After some time seeing fields and farms, we enter the Chunnel.

The ​Channel Tunnel is the longest underwater section of any tunnel in the world at 31.4 miles. The lowest point under the Channel is 377 feet BELOW Sea Level.  Our ears popped from the pressure change.  This is almost 100 feet lower than Death Valley.

Nothing to see out the windows and we relax for the next half hour it takes to get back to the surface in the UK.  Soon we arrive are out of the tunnel and on our way into London at the St. Pancras Station.

Wow, the London stations are impressive.

After a few confusing signs, we are on our way to the Underground (subway) or "The Tube".

After a few changes of trains, we arrive at Waterford/Southbank/Waterloo Station.  The walk to our hotel was not too bad.  It is the Nox on Lower Marsh. Lower Marsh is mostly pedestrian other than delivery vehicles.  Still, we have to remember to look both ways not just right before crossing.  Almost directly across the street is an Iceland which is a small grocery.  On the next block is Vaulty Towers a very non conventual pub.

Around the corner and a short walk, we found, The Hercules, a pub.  Very nice food, we came back several times while we were in London.  The bathroom made me think I had walked back in time.  It turns out that those types of toilets are still fairly common in the UK. 

We had some time in the afternoon and walked down to see Big Ben, Westminster Abby, and Buckingham Place.

I wish we had more time here but if we wanted to see everything that appealed to us, we would be here for a month. Though London is not a place I would want to be for a month.  We are not fans of big cities.

Our walk to cross the Thames on the Westminster Bridge will take us past the Florence Nightingale Museum, the St Thomas Hospital (that will be important later), London Aquarium...

Soon, we reach the bridge.  Wow!  The river, Westminster, Big Ben...

We were not able to get tickets to see Westminster, Big Ben, or Parliament so we walk to Buckingham Palace.  Westminster has been the home of the House of Commons and House of Lords for over 300 years and is what we based our Senate and House of Representatives.

There were several interesting buildings like Churchill War Rooms, The Institution of Civil Engineers, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers,

Soon, we passed the Place Guard Regimental Barracks.  We were lucky to see the new class having their picture taken.  Sadly, we missed the changing of the guard which is only on a few days each week.

The Palace was huge.  Sadly nothing going on because the Royal family was in Residence. Just lots of tourists.

The Queen Victoria Memorial was impressive.  Wow, that is a lot of gold.

On our way back across the Westminster Bridge, we heard a commotion.  It was some undercover police grabbing two pickpockets.  We actually saw them give the Police Caution.  "You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.".  Then out came the cuffs.  The two people were working together.  She had a large bag that he would put anything he stole.  The idea was that if he were caught there would be no evidence on him and she could just walk away undiscovered.

Any big city will have pickpockets, and they will concentrate in areas of tourists.

Back to Lower Marsh to get some dinner and back to the hotel to plan for tomorrow.

​We arrived in port about 6am and after breakfast some last minute packing, checking drawers, and heading down to the gangway.

Off at 9am and in a cab that ripped us off for the fare.  It should have been close to 25 euros but he wanted 40.  Really!  I made the mistake of not asking how much before having him load the luggage. The taxi driver dropped us off at the hotel.

We were too early to check in, and our room would not be ready until afternoon. They stored our luggage and we took a walk down through the city.  
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They have some interesting sculptures in the median of the road we walked down.

We were hungry and stopped in a cafe for coffee and some cinnamon rolls. 
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Watched a marathon race for a few minutes. Next walked along past tourist trap junk shops and other stores.  I was tempted to stop in the 5 Guys for a burger.  Yes, they have a 5 Guys in the Netherlands. 

We were surprised that we were able to watch people surfing.  Yep, there is a wave pool right in the middle of the city and people were surfing.  The water looked horrible.  Really green and seemed to be full of algae.  ​

Next, we walked through the most unique mall in the world.  It is horseshoe shaped and open in the middle.  The outer walls are apartments.  The open space is filled with small stores, restaurants, etc.  There is a basement.  Actually, several but the 2nd is a parking garage, and the 3rd is access to the subway.

We walked into a store for a minute and I was surprised to find this.  I have never seen this before.

The mall had lots of stores, and one was Dunkin Donuts.  We bought some for a snack and breakfast.  3.49 euros. Or about $4.

​Other than the mall, they also have a very interesting apartment complex.  The Cubes.  There is a tour, but we did not have time for that.  Floors are level but the wall is crazy.

Very few buildings survived the WWII bombing by the Germans.  We walked past one that did.

The walk back to the hotel was as expected filthy.  This city has trash or worse on the sidewalks, parks, and edges of the roadways. I guess I should not have been surprised at the condition of the wave pool.  They could learn a thing or two from Ireland where it was always clean. 

It is also dangerous.  Not that anyone is bothering you, but traffic is the problem. Not only are there lots of cars and above ground rail but bikes are everywhere.  The middle of the road may be a park or rail, then car lanes, then bike lanes, then pedestrian sidewalks.  The bikes have the right of way over people and will run you down if you step in front of them.  They are flying. Especially the electric bikes. Scarry.

​Back to the hotel to wait for the room to be ready.

Early to bed because we need to be at the train station before 6am.