O'er the river I go....

Today was a Thames-themed day. It began as the gates opened at the Tower of London. I seemed to beat the queues yet again, as the miles of empty hallways testified to a busy afternoon ahead. The Crown Jewels were shiny, and castle walls were crumbly, and the raven were cawing.... Pretty much as expected, and I loved every second of it. I was taking particular note of a tranquil Tudor corner, with a pretty gabled cottage and lovely flower garden, only to find this is where several queens were spared the indignity of a public hanging via a quick chop to the head. Ergh.

After spending a glorious two hours soaking in history/torture/treason I wandered across Tower Bridge. I don't think my photos will do the lovely stonework justice - it is an impressive lump of clay sitting in the middle of the Thames. There were plenty of other tourists to ooh and aah with - a busy wee street really.

I thought the Southern side of the river was much nicer than the first - lots of awesome nooks and crannies and narrow dark bridges and alleys to clamber through, under and around. Eventually it turned into the Queens Walk (a millenium thing) and got a bit cleaner and a bit boring. So, I bought some blackberries and chomped on them as I found the Globe.

I ended up on the tour, which was a bit ho hum as far as information goes, but the theatre is gorgeous - the huge and authentic thatched roof is by special permission of the City of London. I can't wait to see something there (Anthony & Cleopatra is playing until the end of next month, and I can get a £5 standing ticket).

Gave the Tate Modern a squiz, but nothing too amazing so I hopped on the ferry down to Tate Britain, catching a glimpse of the London Eye (click, click, click) and Westminster (click, click, click). Having taken enough photos to run out my batteries I disembarked at Vauxhall and found the little musuem. I have decided my heart is in the Victorian and Romantic periods - try as I might to appreciate the modern stuff. Thus, I saw fabulous landscapes and potraits, and a seriously big countryside-at-sunset piece that I looked at forever.

There was one quite good modern piece - a video installation of five Palestinian teenagers non-stop disco dancing. It was a comment on the Israel/Palestinian conflict - but the exact comment may have been lost on me. I liked the music - an unexpected spot to hear 'It's Raining Men'!

I covered more ground and attractions today than any others. My Lonely Planet was no good for a London itinerary, so I spent quite a bit of time yesterday working one out myself. It was lot of Organising (with a capital O), but I seem to have done well so far. Tomorrow will be Parliament, the National Galleries and The British Museum.