Got to St. Paul’s and found out that taking photo’s was not allowed inside. But I snuck taking some anyway after I saw some other people doing it. I’ve never understood that whole don’t take a photo thing because I just don’t understand how snapping photo’s is supposed to be harmful to something. I didn’t use my flash obviously so the images are grainier than they would be with a flash. Anyhow, took a couple of the outside and a few on the inside. We also spent the day going to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, etc. I’ll post more pictures later. It’s 2 a.m. here and I need to sleep so I can post more later.

Well today I’ve been a bit of a sloth. Didn’t make it to the cathedral as the 8 hour time change has been proving to be a bit harder on me than I first thought. Yesterday I spent a good part of the day sleeping catching up on lost sleep before traveling here and what I couldn’t get on the plane. So I thought today I’d be good to go. No problem.

Yeah right. Of course I didn’t mention yesterday that I went across the street and had a double shot latte at Starbuck’s in the late afternoon. Bad thing to do. So that made me wide eyed bushy tailed clear up until 3 a.m. London time. So, after having breakfast with Paul I came back upstairs, pulled off my street clothes, put on my jammies and crashed. Before I knew it, it was 1 p.m. London time.

So I’m right back where I started time wise yesterday. Raring to go in the late afternoon/early evening which is equal to 8 a.m. or so at home. So now you can see why I’m messed up.

Those of you who know and love me, know I have an addiction. Not a bad one, but one nonetheless. It’s for Coke Zero! I was very worried that I wouldn’t be able to find any here but it turns out there was a vending machine at the airport when we landed that had them and a little quick grocery store across the street from the hotel has them as well. 1 pound 9 pence as you can see from the sticker. Whew! I’m saved! Now lets hope France is as accommodating to that addiction as well! In fact, I’m finding more Coke Zero’s here than I do in Milwaukee, WI when I go there for the Bead & Button Show!

We walked several blocks down from the hotel and decided to try out a beer from an interesting pub. I didn’t get a good shot of the outside of the place but it was cool because it was down an alley. Paul said he thought it was like walking down Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Anyhow, the pub was originally built in 1583. There was a fire and it was rebuilt in 1666. There were several floors to the place with each one having their own little bar section in it. The first pic to the left is of the cellar where we had a beer.

The next pic is a shot of St. Paul’s Cathedral (domed church to the left of the shot) where I’ll be headed tomorrow. Had to get this shot with the double decker bus in it. Turns out St Paul’s isn’t very far from where we are. Getting your bearings around here is a bit tricky.

The next two shots are of a very gorgeous church with a lot of exquisite wrought iron outside of it. Wasn’t close enough to get the name of it though.

This early evening I went out to walk around a bit to see some of the area where I’m located. The hotel I’m staying in is called the Crown Plaza - London City.

It’s not fancy but it works.

I walked out in the district we are in and bought a book called Sex, Lies and Vampires. Looks good. Read a little and it turned out that one of the characters seems to be from Seattle.

Coming back I walked down an alley and took this photo. Cool looking building that was some kind of library but not a public library. There was also a theater down at the end of this street but I didn’t continue walking down there. Didn’t want to look too touristy. Those darn cop sirens are at it again. One drove by me that was a BMW. The cops at home would be jealous. Tomorrow I’m going to head out to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Will post some pics when I get back.