the (illustrated) globe

oh boy, what a day! so fabulous i can hardly decide where to start. ok, i'll be chronological:

first, we found a laundromat so got some more clean clothes - that's always a good thing in the sal and geoff book of travel. although those of you who read and digested earlier posts will know that i now have heaps of clean undies thanks to Marks and sparks... trialled a pair today - not bad for a quid (sorry Hamish, NOT).

then, we walked back through greenwich park and found a beautiful herb garden. after which, we travelled to the globe by river. that is definitely the way to arrive... took about 20 minutes, heaps of cool buildings and river activity to look at, before docking at Bankside, right next to the Globe.

Popped into the Tate and copped a great look at Monet's water lilies, a couple of Picasso's, lots of Miros (bored now), and assorted other pictures - oh, and heaps of school kids being dragged around and variously engaged (or not) by their hapless teachers.

off to the swan for lunch. Good. Then, rented a cushion each and took our seats in time to watch the groundlings gather below, and lots of them being told off (can't sit down, can't sneak into empty seats, can't open brollies, etc, etc) by the stewards, who i think are volunteers as they all looked to be retired or at uni.

anything i write will by puny but we had the most magnificent afternoon. it rained, it stopped, the sun shone (they gave us cardboard sunhats), the play - Henry VIII - which is a shakespeare collaboration by the way - the whole thing was just great. especially watching the groundlings get wet and also gently engaged and wound up by the cast. you will see in the pictures that i was very excited. great day!

we wandered along the river bank, found another pub (not difficult) near trafalgar square, then had a snack at the SMITF crypt before over-extending our day of culture at the GB romantics choral concert. weirdly, there was a free screening of Tosca going on in TS before, during and after our concert (by the elysian singers). THe concert was good. It was fun to be there - i reckon the Dorians would give them a run for their money with the howell's requiem, but it was lovely to hear it performed.

then, charing cross station to greenwich in about 20 minutes - no exaggeration. the train line is really efficient. way fewer stops than the tube.

tomorrow we have to pack up and leave for Munich and Beijing but we're in denial and still pretending that it's not happening. we have a cool new breakfast place sussed out - they made us beautifual flat whites today while we waited for the laundry. there you are - full circle.

hope you like the pics - there were actually lots of people at the play but there was a sign saying no photos so i took them early and then stopped xx sal and geoff