Europe Trip: London Day 5

Today was family day!

Brad's uncle Robin came to pick us up from the hotel to drive us down to South-End-On-Sea. That is the eastern tip of the Thames that leads out to the English Channel. This is where 2 of his aunts live - Maureen and Wendy. We were going to Wendy's house to meet up with them and all the cousins and other family members.

Robin is about the same size height as Brad at 6'3", between the two of them I felt a bit short. He wanted to show us a traditional English beach. So there we sat, in summer, in our jeans and jumpers on a deck with grey clouds and freezing wind blowing past us, looking out over a beach full of black stones. That was an English beach.

After our coffee and a walk along the seaside we headed over to Wendy's. As is typical with Brad, he forgot most peoples names, but I soon sorted it out for him! :)

We had a BBQ lunch, a chat and lots of beer - and we met Holly - the eat anything dog! She ate anything that you put in front of her. I didn't believe it, so I gave her a radish and some grapes - she ate them all!! Very funny dog.

In the evening it was time to go, so Robin drove us back to London. We had a good scenic drive through London and we saw a great deal more of the real London than we had over the previous few days, this is one of the benefits of driving.

Robin suggested that we go to the London Eye and have a look - so Brad and I readily agreed. We got there just as it was starting to get dark - about 8.45pm (London doesn't have daylight saving so it gets darker faster than Europe). Brad jumped out to see when they closed - and ran back to say that last lift was at 9pm!

Robin found a park and we all ran in and got 3 tickets for 37.5 pounds (about AU$95) and then we walked straight onto the eye (where there is normally a 2 hour queue) - we ended up being in the second last cabin to go up that day. Wow what a spectacular view!! 360 degree views all around London. And because of the time we were there, there was enough light that we could still see everything in the distance with our naked eyes, and all the lights were coming on, it really was very beautiful.

The Eye itself is amazing! It is very high, but you really don't notice. Because the wheel moves slowly and continuously, you don't actually notice that you are moving. The whole trip takes about 45 minutes to complete. I felt safer up there than I did in the elevator going up the Eiffel Tower!

If you are going to London - you must go on the Eye!