Our last day in London, and in Europe. We did on this day something we’d been planning on doing since the first day — take the double decker narrated tour of the city.  Pricey, but fun if you have a good guide, and we had a good guide.

Traffic was horrendous, so it took us about 2.5 hours to make our way around.  But we got to see all the sights we hadn’t yet seen, and had fun doing it.  I think I got a sunburn — it was windy up there on top, and I couldn’t wear my hat without it blowing off.

After the tour, we wandered down from Piccadilly Circus to Westminster Pier and hopped on a boat to Greenwich (a round trip boat tour is included in the bus ticket).  It was a nice relaxing ride on the Thames to Greenwich, but it was about 4:30 by the time we got there.  That meant many things were closing.

We wandered into town, and made our way slowly to the top of the hill with the Royal Observatory (where the Prime Meridian is marked).  We took some goofy pictures with each of us standing at 0.00° longitude, we wandered the museum looking at telescopes and other astronomy artifacts, and visited the gift shop.  For reasons I’m still not 100% clear on, I felt compelled to buy a pocket watch.  So now I have a neat pocket watch with the “Royal Observatory Greenwich” mark on it.  It’s very nice, and I quite like it.

We then wandered back into town and had a quick supper.  By the time we’d finished, we’d missed the last boat home, so we took the tube back.  I’m glad we did, the DLR line provides some great views of the newer parts of the city!  I also discovered a new favorite tube stop.

Previously, I’d decided Elephant and Castle was my favorite tube stop name.  It seemed nicely random to me.  But then I discovered Mudchute, and a new favorite was made!

We made our way back to to the Bree Louise so I could have a few more excellent ales at an excellent pub before we left this city.  The beer I fell in love with last night was already out!  They have such a turnover there — I think if I lived here, I’d have to go there every day to try the beers they get.

After a few pints, it was the Tube back to Victoria Station, and walk to the hotel.  As soon as I finish writing this little summary, I’m packing, since we have a rather early flight in the morning.  I expect we’ll be leaving the hotel around 5.

Before noon Chicago time, we’ll be back in the US, having spent 16 full days in Europe.  Pretty damned awesome, if you ask me.  And you didn’t ask me, but I’m pretending you did, because I’m the author and it’s my prerogative.  So there.

Good-bye, London!  We’ll miss you, but I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again.  Right after we visit Moscow, Rome, Milan, Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Helsinki, Reykjavik, Prague, Edinburgh, Stockholm, Oslo, and maybe Copenhagen.

‘Night, all!  Pics will be posted when I get back.

Finally posted the pics.