Day Sixteen Monday October 2nd

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Wake up early so I can drop the car off at Volkswagen before 10 a.m. Grabbed the full English Breakfast and I was off. The girls were still asleep. On the way I put a few litres in to bring it up to the level it was when I picked it up. Shouldn't have bothered because the guy I gave it to you bothered to check. Very easygoing guy and if I rent a car in the UK again I will come here. Checked out the Volkswagen museum while I was there. Not many cars but they all looked cool. I saw the one I used to have too. The GTI. When I had the Golf Convertible.

Took the bus back to the hotel. Well, two buses. The first one I asked how to pay and he just waved me on. The second I asked a Polish lady at the bust. Just tap on once with the Oyster card. I was home in about 30 minutes. Checked in with the girls and soon enough we were off to the Tate Museum. Sitting on the train we get the announcement that the trains are delayed. Maybe for a long time. So we head to the buses but no joy there. Eventually, we walk to the big station Ealing Broadway where we basically end up on the train we got off 30 minutes ago. It takes a while to get going but we eventually get to Farringdon so we can walk the last bit.



Cross the Millennium Bridge and we're at the Tate. We're here to see an exhibition called "Capturing The Moment" featuring the works of Andy Warhol and Pauline Boty. Unfortunately only one of each. It's called a journey through painting and photography. and while there are some great pieces here I find it a little underwhelming. After a coffee and a muffin, we wander around the Tate and visit the gift store where Ruby buys me a birthday present.


Next, we stroll along the Thames. Very leisurely. Checking things out. Crossing Westminster Bridge and seeing queues of people lined up to get their photo taken next to a phone box with Big Ben in the background. Even if I was tempted the queue is too long. For all the phone boxes. So we continued our walk and came across the Iconic Images Gallery. Free entry and great photos of pop icons at eye-watering prices. If I had 7000 pounds I would buy the signed Bridgette Bardot image. But there are lots of great ones.


Stroll through Piccadilly Circus and sit by Eros. Warm day. Everyone happy. So we split for a while so I could look at some of my kind of stuff. Rough Trade Records and Sister Ray on Soho. Sister Ray Records are in the basement and I spend a bit of time there and when I come out it's pouring rain.  so I stayed in the shop a bit longer and I noticed they had an original "Supersize Me" artwork on the wall. The Clash one with White Man In the Hammersmith Palais. 3D and oh so cool. I also like the tees so I pick one up for myself.

Meet the girls at Nando's and while I wouldn't eat it at home I kind of enjoy it tonight. The restaurant is bustling and has a nice atmosphere. Completely different to Carnegie which always looks depressing. From there, we make our way slowly back to Tottenham Court Road popping into an array of different shops. Almost tempted by a Banksy exhibition but we are content to just check out the gift shop. Finally, we get the chance to walk through the West End at night. Love the place and takes me back to those days I stayed in Piccadilly Circus and would roam the West End in the evening. Mel buys a rubber duck. At Tottenham, the light show I saw last time is still going on but we realise it's a loop of different artworks so we stay there for a while. all looks very cool. But finally, we've had enough and jump on the train back to the hotel. 

Finish off with a tiny bottle of Cab Sav and a phone call to Liz and that's the end of another day in the UK.








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