London Eye - Difficult - Lesson 8
Dave and I have worked out a route through the heart of the capital taking in most of the important tourist spots on foot. Not only is walking the healthiest option, but it's very easy on the pocket.
Our trail takes us through the royal parks and streets of Westminster, on past St Paul's and the City, crossing the River Thames at Tower Bridge, along the south bank, back across to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
- … walking tours you can see little details, you're completely at your own time and you learn far more than any other way of doing it.
- ...and I think it's a really good opportunity to get to know the city, especially for tourists because they often don't realise how close areas in London actually are...
BUCKINGHAM PALACE FORECOURT
This is royal London, what millions of tourists expect to see - and generally, they are not disappointed, wherever they manage to stand. The forecourt of Buckingham Palace hosts probably the best free show in London.
- Oh, I do love a uniform!...
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THE LAMB AND FLAG
We haven't quite reached Covent Garden yet, but the Lamb and Flag is extremely well-known in the area.
- This is so narrow, Dave! It hasn’t changed in 300 years! – Yeah, I know
- Of course the history of the pub dates back to before America was even founded.
- With the pub being so old, are there any spooky elements to it?
- Yes, we have a house ghost by the name of George. He allegedly was a French sailor who was knifed to death after having a gamble on the bare-knuckle fights that took place here.
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- Well, there's St Paul's, we're going to walk along the embankment towards it.
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THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
- It started on the 2nd of September, 1666 at about 1 o'clock in the morning in Thomas Farriner's bakery in Pudding Lane, and five days later it had consumed four fifths of the city of London. So it was probably one of the biggest disasters in London's history.
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- You do like the river, don't you?
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THE TOWER OF LONDON
- Henry VIII had two of his wives beheaded here. And despite English common law declaring torture to be illegal, "the rack" was particularly popular under the Tudors.
The one of the tower was said to have never stood idle. The time of opening has to be pre-booked and the bridge will be staffed accordingly. Ships can expect no more than five minutes' leeway during busy traffic periods.
- Cross Tower bridge... all the way up through the Thames park to London Bridge!
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SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL
A pillar of respectability stands only a few metres from this mayhem. Tiny Southwark Cathedral is a beautiful place of worship dating back to the 7th century.
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THE LONDON EYE
- A capsule can be hired, I believe?
- Yes, it can. We hire for weddings and I think Valentine's Day is our most popular day for our Cupid's capsule. Last Valentine's day we had 30 proposals alone that we knew of, and it's lovely, it's just the two of you with your host and champagne and truffles.
All in all, it's been a marvellous walk through the very heart of our capital city.
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Well, this is the end of our trail. There's so much more to London than we can show you. No matter how many times you'll come, you'll
always discover something new. You just have to come and make your own trail!
FRIENDS WILL BE FRIENDS by Queen
Another red letter day
So the pound has dropped
and the children are creating;
The other half ran away
Taking all the cash
and leaving you with the lumber
Got a pain in the chest
Doctors on strike
what you need is a rest
It's not easy love,
but you've got friends you can trust
Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love
they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life
and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand
'cos friends will be friends –
Right till the end
Now it's a beautiful day
The postman delivered
a letter from your lover
Only a phone call away
You tried to track him down
but somebody stole his number
As a matter of fact
You're getting used to life
without him in your way
It's so easy now,
'cos you got friends you can trust
Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love
they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life
and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand
'cos friends will be friends
Right till the end
