We decide to take a break from tourist stuff and do
some errands. Chore 1: We need to find out how long it takes to walk to where Sarah,
Hunter, Kevin and Eliot are going to stay.
Chore 2: Some background: some time ago, the UK
Government decided to upgrade its currency. Out would go the paper 10-pound notes,
in would come a plastic version of the note. Partially see-through. Very much harder
to counterfeit. We got some of these old notes when we bought pounds in
Seattle. Most vendors won’t accept them as of March of this year. So, we need to
exchange our “old” 10-pound notes for new ones.
Chore 3: we need to buy some groceries.
After an easy morning, we take the walk to 86 Munro
Mews, where the gang is staying. It’s on the north side of the Westway, so it
is new territory for us. It ends up being about a 15-minute stroll. Chore 1
done! We then head back to our side of the Westway and the rail lines to
Heathrow. We stop in at the Sainsbury and get the groceries we need. Chore 3
done!
Lastly (if only), we stop in at the currency exchange.
Slight catch: they will charge a 10% fee to exchange our bills. Our only option
is to exchange them for free at the Bank of England in the City. We also decide
that this might be a good time to check out the observation deck of the 20 Fenchurch building.
We go back to the flat to drop off the groceries and
head to the underground for our first experience with the Bank of England. We also
decide that we should check out the Monument: a column built from 1671 to 1677
that commemorates the Great File of 1666.
Into the Underground and out to the Bank Station. We
have a moment of hesitation before figuring out which of these impressive
buildings is the actual bank, but get it sorted out quickly. We try to head in
together, but there is heavy security. Amy must wait for me to do the business.
I have to show the guard the notes I want to exchange and my bag gets
thoroughly searched. Once inside, they are very cordial, but the security is
awesome. Actual automatic weapons are in view. I get all five of the bills
exchanged (yes, all this for a whole 50 Pounds), and leave the bank to rejoin
Amy.
Chores done, we head to Monument. It’s 200 meters high
with 311 steps to the top. Built in 1671, there is no elevator!
It’s a fun climb as there are slit windows every few
steps that give a view outside. It’s very interesting as we get near the top
and come upon visitors heading down the stairs. Passing as we climb is a little
tricky! We arrive at the top and enjoy the view.
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| Amy and the Shard |
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| 20 Fenchurch from atop Monument |
We descend and head to the 20 Fenchurch building. Uh
Oh! At this time of day, we must have a reservation to ascend! Perhaps we can
do this later in our stay…
We head home, get a bite of lunch out of leftovers in
the fridge, then enjoy a leisurely afternoon. For dinner, we walk to Hereford
Road. A few blocks away, they specialize in local food, mostly seafood. We both
enjoy the Dover Sole, perfectly cooked!
A wonderfully relaxing day!
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