Well yesterday was a little laid back. We had contacted our friend Colin from Wiltshire earlier in the week to see if we could get together during the week, His wife was working but he could meet us in town on Thursday afternoon, so it was off to London Bridge station to meet Colin. We agreed to meet there next to the Costa (Coffee shop) at 2. We had been to London Bridge Station the day before and getting off the train at platform 14 we spied Costa Pronto on the Lower Concourse. Well that was handy, Colin must know his way around this station. About 10 past 2 we had a phone call from Colin “Where are you?” I can see a theme developing here.
Colin was on the Upper Concourse next to the Costa. Once we managed to get together we headed outside for some refreshments.
Directly outside the station appeared the Shipwights Arms. How convenient. So we took refreshment inside dinning on bangers and mash, and fish cakes and peas. liberally washed down with cider. After catching up on all the family news we decided to take in the view from the Shard. Well rocking up to the door we nearly collapsed at the price of entry, thinking we could spend our money in better ways we headed off through Guys Hospital.
Colin was in search of a watering hole he had visited on a classic pub tour some time back, it was near Borough Markets but wasn’t on the street but in an alleyway. We found it, The George which was rebuilt in 1676.
The weather was a little threatening but we managed to sit in the courtyard supping fine English Ale and cider accompanied by more chin wagging. the weather held out and the sun shone till it was finely time to say goodbye to Colin and make our way home.
Today it was time to have a look at a museum or two. We headed for South Kennsington for the “Victoria and Albert” but first a coffee. Yet again I noticed a Flat White was one price without a choice of drink size and dearer than a Latte. As we were finishing our coffee I asked a staff member why this was and apparently a flat white only comes in one size but has double shots, a latte has 1 or 2 shots according to size. He recommended ordering a latte with and extra shot but check to see if they charged for extra shots. We live to drink coffee another day.
After coffee we headed for the Natural History Museum. This is a magnificent building housing a large collection of Dinosaurs etc.
Giraffe 
Whale skeleton 
Dinosaur eggs 
Lunch was sitting in the street at a restaurant. This style of dinning has certainly become popular since the first time I came to the UK. The sun shine certainly makes it very popular.
The Victoria and Albert saw us wandering from exhibit to exhibit till at last with weary feet it was time to head home.
Steve Blackstock 