UK – Day 7: London here I come!

So after almost a week of being in Sussex, I finally got to get away for a few hours!

I took a train from the local station, Angmering and went to Victoria station and then got a tube/underground to Bermondsey. Total journey time, a little under 2 hours. I used to commute into Victoria every day when I worked at HMV so it was familiar territory, albeit somewhat newer…

Bermondsey tube stop

Victoria Station

The cafe “hole in the wall” at Angmering station

Part of the way I went on the District line subway, which now uses trains with no individual compartments, so the whole train is like a long snake. Weird that you can see all the way to both ends. Conversely, the Jubilee line I took has glass walls and doors which only open when a train is in the station. I guess too many people decided to jump off, or were pushed. Still kind of weird. Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Got out in Bermondsey and met my aunt Christine and later my uncle Ted. We went to East Lane off the Old Kent Road and I saw a blue plaque indicating the area was the birthplace of Charlie Chaplin (oh google it if you don’t know who that is). We then went back to Arments in Southwark (pronounced “suthuk”) where I went back in 2011. I had a double pie and mash with the liquor and let me tell you, it was excellent. They also have chilli pepper malt vinegar. I think if I lived close enough, I would have it at least once a month. Although I’m sure the novelty would wear off in 5-10 years.

DOUBLE Pie n mash. yes, the gravy is green, and it makes it. Get over it

Christine, Ted and Simon (!)

The anticipation is the best part…

After some catching up, it was time for me to get on the road again. This time, I was dropped off at Kennington tube station and I got it to Charing Cross station to meet my friend Sean. I was waaaay early though, so I crossed the road and wandered around adjacent Trafalgar Square, pretty much the dead centre of London. Trafalgar square is flanked by the National Gallery and was in an early scene in the recent Dr Who 50th anniversary show. You can see Big Ben from there, as well as Admiralty Arch. There are fountains and statues of generals, as well as, for no apparent reason, a giant chicken. Yes, giant chicken. This evening, there was also a rather nice choir singing carols. I walked down toward Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, down Whitehall and passed Downing Street and the Grenadiers.

Trafalgar Square

Big Ben and not so big Simon

Phone booths and Big Ben at night

The London Eye at night

Trafalgar Square

Admiralty Arch

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Surprisingly quiet, but it was cold, damp and drizzly, so not really a surprise. Time to head back, so I back tracked to Charing Cross and found Sean. We went to Covent Garden. It was a vegetable market until the early 1980s when it was turned into a trendy shopping area. its very nice and has restaurant and interesting shops. There is also the deadly London Transport Museum and its shop. Deadly, as it threatens to empty your wallet. You have been warned!

Covent Garden

Covent Garden

I know this will be a shock, but decided on a curry. Seems like Thai is popular here, but I’m on a mission to eat curry and pie and mash. Not just one either! Had a great time catching up with Sean and we chatted for hours. Eventually though, we both had to go home, so we parted ways in Victoria Station. I hope to come back in the next 1-2 years and will definitely see Sean again.

Another 2 hour train ride and walk through the rain, and I was home! Ready for tomorrow’s adventure!