May 6 last day

 Up at 6:30, 9 degrees. I went to the DDK Cafe a five minute walk away from the hotel for a full English English breakfast. It was very well done and didn't disappoint. Dean went to his favorite cafe for a coffee and we walked down to Victoria Station where I bought my Gatwick Express ticket for any time after 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. I'll probably leave there around seven o'clock, that gives me lots of time to clear security before a 10:45 flight. Then we got on the District line and got off at Mansion House station. Walked up the street to Saint Paul's Cathedral. I'm sure I never been there before. It was enormous and the Architecture just superb. It was started to be rebuilt in 1666 after the Fire of London. Lovely variety of roses on the grounds and on the fences.


Then we walked down to the Thames and the along to the Tower of London and London Bridge. We browsed the gift shop but didn't go into the tower. Got some really good pictures. 


Also got a picture of the Belfast for Rick. He and I had toured it tears ago.



We saw that there would be a 62 gun salute in honor of Charles anniversary of his Coronation. 

Took the Underground to St James Park station. Then walked to Buckingham Palace. We were anticipating the changing of the guard at 11:00 and had arrived at 11:03. We were right in front of the gate and Dean got some great pictures of the guards at their posts. 


We saw some carriages go by but could not see who was in them. By 11:45 it was apparent nothing was happening and Dean checked the website and today it was happening at 3:00. Talking to one fellow afterwards he said he did see Camilla go buy in a carriage but we didn't. Then we walked towards Hyde Park. On the way we were met by a military riding band who started to play just as they got to us. Dean took a video, very impressive, possibly 100 horses. 


After that we walked to Hyde Park and looked for a restaurant.  Found a place that had a steak and ale pie. That and a Paxton's Head real ale made for a good meal. The name of the pub was the Paxton's Head.  


Then we walked to Hyde Park and all the way to the other end were Kensington Park started.  It was quite busy, lots of school trips. Then we walked along to where we could see the Prince Albert Memorial which really shone in the sun. Some lovely gardens all In Bloom along the walkway. We continued through the park until we came to Queensgate and I showed Dean where Carol and I had stayed when she did the Chelsea Gardens story. We walked all the way down Queensgate looking at all the embassies there. At the bottom on the corner of Queensgate and Cromwell Road we saw the Natural History Museum.  We didn't go in. Turned left onto Cromwell and walked past the Victoria and  Albert Museum and the London Oratory,  Catholic church. We didn't go in there either.


Cromwell turns into Brompton Road and I stopped for a gelato (coffee and amaretto) delicious. Dean guided us back to our hotel arriving about three o'clock. It took nearly an hour to walk home. We put on lots of miles in a few days. I just wanted to relax so laid down had a little nap. Dean went out to get some souvenirs for the girls and made a reservation at a great restaurant Mykonos for seven pm.  We wouldn't have gotten in without a reservation and they only had a small table for two against a wall. There were little alcoves in the Wall where you could put glasses, hats and books. The food was very good. 


Back to the hotel ready for bed by 10.

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