Day 10: Sep. 13, 2018 - Canary Wharf

We want to see Canary Wharf. This will be our farthest foray East, except if we get out to Greenwich. We will follow walk #43 of the London City Walks.

It takes a few moments to orient as we come out of the tube station, but we get it figured out. Canada Square is really lovely. With lots of pine trees, it is reminiscent of home.

Our first stop is at the underground shops to pick up some essentials, including some new socks for Amy. As usual, consumerism in London is an interesting experience. After scoping out some of the eating options, we head back outside.

One Canada Square

When completed, One Canada Square was the tallest building in the UK. It is all of 50 stories tall! Several years later, it is number 2, with the Shard being taller by 37 floors. (A few more years, and it will be quite a way further down the list.)

Amy points out the varied artwork, some inside, some out. She really likes it!

Three quarters of the way through the walk, hunger is looming, so we look for “Jamie’s Italian”, mentioned in the City Walk: it’s gone! Being replaced by a soon-to-be-opened BrewDog pub! We continue on – lots of food tents as well as sit-down places on the north dock (the West India Quay). We find the “Sipping Room”. We share the Buratta, Amy has Chicken Pie, I have the Linguine with Crab.

West India Quay

This is an interesting area – there is a lot of financial work going on here. Apparently, this area represents a vast extension of London’s Financial Services industry. We can believe it, with all of the Suits sharing the pavements with us.

After lunch, we head to Chelsea to check out the Stadium where Chelsea FC play. We get on the Underground, then debark at Fulham Broadway. A couple of blocks takes us to our destination.

Stamford Bridge

This stands as quite a contrast to American Sports Venues. The streets around the Stadium are so narrow! Americans like to drive their cars to their sporting events. All the traffic on game day here will be by tube or on foot.

We have one more errand to run: it is on to Paddington Station to claim our printed tickets for our train ride to Penzance when we leave London in a few weeks. This turns out to be exceedingly easy!

We head home for our afternoon rest, then it is over to Portobello Road to Tuk Tuk Stick & Grill for dinner. We share the Tuk 4 Two platter with 6 Chicken and 3 Beef satay. It is very tasty.

This has been another relaxing, interesting day.