After a late start on Sunday morning, we headed off to the Imperial War Museum on the south side of the Thames. This is a museum we could have stayed in for days, there was so much of interest to see there! Since we had plans to join a London walk in our neighborhood of Little Venice later that afternoon, we stuck to a few main sections. The Childrens' War showed the Second World War through the eyes of British children. The Trench Experience was a walk through recreation of a front line trech on the Somme in the autumn of 1916. It is brought to life with special lighting, sound and smell effects (really). We saw the War in the Air exhibit of large aircraft in the entrance gallery, as well as the Holocaust Exhibition. 
After a rather somber morning, we joined Shaughan and about 15 other people for a London Walk through Little Venice, the area around our Elon flat. Were we surprised to find out all that our area had to offer, including a complete canal system that runs throughout Great Britain for over 2000 miles! We passed the hotel where Sigmund Freud wrote upon arriving in England, as well as the former home of poet Robert Browning. Down the street from our flat is the location where Fleming identified the power of penicillin!
Later on a very RAINY evening, we joined up with Femke, Jacob, our tour guide Peter G, two more tour guides and about 110 people for our Auld Lang Syne on Old Father Thames pub walk for New Years' Eve. This was a special walk for the London Walks organization and W and I were not sure what to expect. I think many foreign tourists, including French, Australian, and American visitors, decided to join this walk and see where the night took them. After separating the tour into three groups, Peter took us from Blackfriar's Tube across the Thames, sharing information about the history of London all the way. We worked back in time along the Thames, starting from the youngest pub, the Founders' Arms, and then moving onto some history surrounding the Globe Theatre, and the oldest food market in London, the Borough Market. We also journeyed by the site of London's oldest prison, the Clink, which is now the site of a prison museum. Vinopolis is down the street from all of this fun, one place we didn't make it to but will try to visit upon our return. Peter informed us that London and Great Britain make almost no wines, but drink more wine and champagne than any other country in the world. Next we went to a pub called The Anchor, a lovely spot with large wide wood beamed ceilings and some good ciders. It was a quick stop and off to more history like the Southwark Cathedral. Luckily it had stopped raining while we were in the Founders' Arms, so the whole of the trip was windy but overall
pleasant. We finally ended up at The George, the city's oldest existing coaching inn. By this time our tour was finished so our little group of four wandered off in search of food and a place to watch the fireworks. After some rude response to food requests at the Anchor, we found food and outdoor tables back at the Founders' Arms. We enjoyed the company, the drinks, and the hordes of people walking down river towards the London Eye. Eventually we joined the mob and walked down until we reached an empty bench near Waterloo Bridge and a small crowd who could all see the Eye. We could see the crowds of people across the river lined up to watch the events of the evening. Ten minutes later we were treated to a spectacular fireworks show! We ended the night at a Thames side restaurant stand selling burgers and brats (with lots of onions.) Great sustenance for the walk to the Underground later.
Later on a very RAINY evening, we joined up with Femke, Jacob, our tour guide Peter G, two more tour guides and about 110 people for our Auld Lang Syne on Old Father Thames pub walk for New Years' Eve. This was a special walk for the London Walks organization and W and I were not sure what to expect. I think many foreign tourists, including French, Australian, and American visitors, decided to join this walk and see where the night took them. After separating the tour into three groups, Peter took us from Blackfriar's Tube across the Thames, sharing information about the history of London all the way. We worked back in time along the Thames, starting from the youngest pub, the Founders' Arms, and then moving onto some history surrounding the Globe Theatre, and the oldest food market in London, the Borough Market. We also journeyed by the site of London's oldest prison, the Clink, which is now the site of a prison museum. Vinopolis is down the street from all of this fun, one place we didn't make it to but will try to visit upon our return. Peter informed us that London and Great Britain make almost no wines, but drink more wine and champagne than any other country in the world. Next we went to a pub called The Anchor, a lovely spot with large wide wood beamed ceilings and some good ciders. It was a quick stop and off to more history like the Southwark Cathedral. Luckily it had stopped raining while we were in the Founders' Arms, so the whole of the trip was windy but overall
pleasant. We finally ended up at The George, the city's oldest existing coaching inn. By this time our tour was finished so our little group of four wandered off in search of food and a place to watch the fireworks. After some rude response to food requests at the Anchor, we found food and outdoor tables back at the Founders' Arms. We enjoyed the company, the drinks, and the hordes of people walking down river towards the London Eye. Eventually we joined the mob and walked down until we reached an empty bench near Waterloo Bridge and a small crowd who could all see the Eye. We could see the crowds of people across the river lined up to watch the events of the evening. Ten minutes later we were treated to a spectacular fireworks show! We ended the night at a Thames side restaurant stand selling burgers and brats (with lots of onions.) Great sustenance for the walk to the Underground later. To control traffic, several Tube stations were closed and others had traffic control via police on horseback. We travelled with some other smart London folk to St. Paul's Tube station and went quickly home, saying goodbye to our new friends. After calls home to the States, we fell fast asleep around 2:30am.
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