London Overnight Stay

Thames view from apartment
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Late start this morning after a very early morning. Joe and I headed out for a walk in search of an ATM, and something for breakky. Lloyd and Sal's apartment overlooks the Thames river, very close to Tower Bridge. Armed with a mud-map we found the local restaurant area quite easily, and I detoured into the local Starbucks to get my espresso latte fix which was well overdue.

With an added pep in my step we found an ATM, then walked over Tower Bridge to the Tower of London. As you can expect it was teaming with tourists, and it was strange to not feel like tourists given that we were not carrying a camera and not taking photos. We almost felt like locals. We headed back to the restaurant area and stopped at a cafe recommended by Sal and enjoyed brunch.

Just like a local...

Back at the apartment, Sal popped a bottle of Moet and we enjoyed champagne while watching some comedy shows on TV. Our taxi arrived as scheduled at 6:15pm, and after kisses goodbye it was off on another 1hr return drive to the fun and games of Heathrow airport. Luckily Sal had given us the heads-up that all passengers are only allowed to take one hand luggage bag through security now, so I managed to pack some stuff into my port that I was planning on taking in a second hand luggage bag. Check-in to our Cathay Pacific flight was quick and easy and luckily with our fast-track security pass, the wait to go through security was relatively short compared to those in the normal queue.

It was then straight into the duty free shops where we (me) were trying to use up the excess pounds we had left. I had a quick look around the Harrods shop, Joe looked in the electronics shop, and Joe bought some alchohol for the bar at home. I also treated myself to a lovely soft cashmere scarf. We headed off to the Cathay lounge and waited until our departing flight due to leave at 22:35.