So Sunday starts with a continuation of the bus tour. This time it is out from Aldwych and through the City towards the East, taking in Fleet Street, St. Pauls Cathedral, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Southwark, the Globe, Tate Modern and a meander back to Embankment where we get off the bus tour and try to join the Catamaran round cruise but in fact find ourselves on the boat to Greenwich. The boat was stowed out and getting a seat was less than easy (see the photo). That said the two rivermen who crewed the boat each gave entertaining commentary about the river from Westminster to Greenwich which they did as an unpaid extra.
We arrived at Greenwich Pier just after one; quick photo of the Cutty Sark and all that. However problem was that we were meant to be at the Natural History Museum to meet our friends for the afternoon at 2.30. Which was a pity as there were clearly a few interesting places and markets to explore. And then we get into all the complexities of trying to get tickets. Since Ken made the transport cheap things are theoretically much better for travelling with children. Indeed notionally under 11s go free on buses and Tubes off-peak. However the reality of getting the right tickets and getting them through barriers is a nightmare. There is a DLR station near the Cutty Sark which only has ticket machines. However it would not sell children's tickets. It had menu options for children's tickets. But no actual offerings. And what we really wanted was a 3-day Travelcard for Anne (not available either) and £1 daily kid's Travelcards for D and C. Oh, I wanted to top up my Oystercard too (no chance). So, nothing for it, had to go and find another station...
So the next station down the line and a ten minute walk is Greenwich. It's a bit better. It can do a Travelcard for Anne (only a peak one though) and for the kids (though here they are inexplicably £2 rather than £1 each). And no, I can't top up my Oystercard. This is a National Rail and DLR station you see and not an Underground station. So much for integrated ticketing.
And so to the Natural History Museum where wer wandered the Earth Galleries which would have been more interesting had we not decided also to visit the IMAX at Waterloo that evening and for me to try to book tickets during the museum visit. Having given up on trying to get to book tickets online on my PDA-phone (why do I have to register to get emails from them, I only want to buy a ticket? I managed to register, but then it wouldn't let me log in) I moved on to the phone... daytime phone number, spell "Milngavie"... have you got a pencil and paper to write down the reference (that would be no)... sorry you can't collect the ticket without the reference... Detracted from looking at the volcanic rock and experiencing the earthquake experience. The Natural History Museum clearly had a lot of exhibits worth exploring, but I don't know if it is just me but I find walking around looking at huge numbers of exhibits now gives me a sore back and I just don't remember much when I get out.
We walked from Kensington up and through Hyde Park and partook of some pizza at Pizza on the Park in Knightsbridge... not the cheapest pizza joint you will visit, but unusual and tasty varieties.
From there to Green Park and down to Waterloo and to the IMAX. We arrived early for the cinema and enjoyed sitting out at the bar at the NFT watching the buskers and the world go by.
We were at the IMAX to see "Open Season" in 3D. Two films in two nights! The film is OK, a gentle animated comedy but it was spectacular to see a feature film on the IMAX screen and with full 3D effects. Would much rather have seen the 3D version of "Superman Returns" though :-(
And then on the bus back to the hotel...
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