We went out yesterday on a mission to catch up on things that needed doing before going on holiday - - one week, three days, and counting!

So, first of all: data recovery was successful! I have all of my documents and images back! Hurrah! The hard drive is still not working so I may have to wait until I'm home before I have a working computer, but that's ok because I have my life in pictures.

With much happiness-in-step, we headed off to Southwark to purchase a requested item. We happened upon these fellows in hats on the Thames:

There were actually quite a large number of boats boating about, so I think it was a race of sorts. 



I quite liked the Welsh in the Bumble Bee get-up.

There's always so much going on in Central London, and so much to see! We decided to walk from Southwark to London Bridge where we'd catch a bus from Cannon Street to Regent Street (next stop, Hamley's!). I took some photographs of unusual architecture along the way:


It's always good to have a bulging, round building every now and then. This particular one overlooks the Thames; it must be a spectacular place to live!




This is Winchester Palace. Or, what's left of it. All around London there are these restored, revered stone relics that are left standing to show off what used to be. There is even a bit of original Roman Wall left at Tower Bridge Station!
























I particularly liked this pretty staircase, just to the left of Winchester Palace, and just to the right of Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde.























Look at how grey, dark and ominous the London sky is!























Ah yes, and no food emporium is complete without a Nando's in London! Isn't it odd? It's a more upmarket restaurant here, not a chicken take-away like it is at home. This particular branch is rumoured to have bought out all of the local restaurants and is going to expand. We'll see.























And then, Hamley's! It doesn't look like the greatest Toy Shop in the World from the outside, but wait until you get closer. There are performers throughout the store encouraging people to play with the toys, there always seem to be bubbles flying around (and yesterday, there was a main at the door yelling, "Laaaaadies and gentleman, please be aware that it is very important that you purchase a bubble gun for your son or daughter. Laaaaadies and gentleman, can I have your attention please...") and there are a number of people stationed around the store showing people how the toys work. In fact, you have to watch out for remote controlled helicopters zooming past your ears, or rolling hamsters bumping into your feet.


















It was exceptionally busy so we didn't have much of an opportunity to amble around or take photographs. We headed straight up to the vehicles floor (right at the top) but didn't find what we were looking for, so we headed all the way to the bottom to the gadgets floor. Again, much to look at, but we didn't find what we had set out for.

I almost bought one of these for myself:













It's a Hungry Hound Doggy Bank! When I was little I always remember wanting one of those "coffin banks" where you put a coin down on the top of the coffin and the skeletal hand comes out and grabs the coin to take it back to the grave. You don't get those any more. But this little hungry hound does more or less the same thing. You put a coin into it's bowl, and it stands up and starts shaking violently as it "devours" the coin (actually just tilting the bowl so that the coin slips down into the hold-all below).














Mewantee!

Yes, I am completely aware that it is 100% ridiculous, but I still want it.

The voice in my head is chanting "clutter, clutter, clutter!"

Anyway, so we really didn't need anything at all from Hamley's but we left with an xbox steering wheel so that G can play his new F1 game for real. Or so they say.

After Regent Street we walked up to Oxford Street because we had dinner plans with Gareth and Nicole, but we were positively exhausted after fighting with the crowds, and about four hours early, so we headed over to John Lewis to have some tea.



















They had an unusual light in the brasserie, but I quite like it. It looks a bit like a crysanthemum.

  Mine! Chocolate Brownie with cherry compote. (good taste combination)



















G's scone with butter, clotted cream and jam.

Afterwards we had a little shop around JL which is always fun with the 6 enormous floors of designerness. We then walked around Oxford Street until G's better judgement took over and we escaped the enormous crowds to sit down at the pub opposite the restaurant we were meeting at...























Tired! Had enough! Want to go home and play with new toys!


















G had some snacks while we were waiting, and it was a good thing to because Gareth and Nicole arrived over an hour late for dinner! But at least it was delicious, so all's well that ends well.