A day in London

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Also a sad day as from now onwards the days will be getting shorter :(  It feels as if our summer has just begun and we are already at the longest day.  

Today my sister and I went to London and went on a boat cruise on the River Thames. We walked from Waterloo Station to Westminster Pier, where we boarded the boat. It was very pleasant sitting on the top deck in the sunshine hearing interesting facts about the famous landmarks along the shores of the Thames. I had done this boat cruise many years ago when the boys were very young. Once you reached the Docklands area you saw how the old warehouses and wharf buildings have been converted into luxury apartments with wonderful terraces looking over the river. We were told an interesting fact - did you know that the word wharf is an acronym of Ware House At River Front? Actually when I googled it, it said that this was not true! Here we have the Houses of Parliament with the newly renovated Elizabeth Tower (which houses the bell known as Big Ben) sparkling in the sunshine, and all the red buses. In extras the cruise boat we went on.

We disembarked at Greenwich were we wandered around for a bit. I bought salads for lunch from Pret which we ate sitting in the sunshine overlooking the Cutty Sark. 

I had walked Xena first thing this morning before we got the train to London, and Fi came and walked her again at midday. We got home around 4pm so it was not too late.

Tonight we are taking my sister out to supper at The Ivy as it is her last night! She was initially going to stay for longer but needs to get back as she does not want to miss her daughter's birthday which is on Friday, and on Saturday it is her daughter's father-in-law's 70th birthday party. It has been a busy trip but lovely to spend time with my sister.