Walking and cycling

We knew today was going to be the better weather so had planned a circuit around London on foot.

Again, having not really done a tourist trip to London before despite endless work visits, I took Rich to some of the places I'd been to last year...  First of all, we walked from Leicester Square to Westminster to pick up the South Bank. We ambled to Tower Bridge enjoying a coffee and the sunny morning.  We headed to Maltby Street market. Last time, I'd only just had breakfast so although the smells were wonderful, I didn't sample anything. Today we did and it was nice to amble with someone.

We then walked over Tower Bridge and up to Brick Lane. I think it must have been a week day when I was there previously as there was an incredible contrast in numbers of tourists. 

Completely mobbed! 

However, we found a lovely little coffee shop called The Canvas with a really wonderful ethos and definitely worth a visit if you head that way. By the time we got to the north end of Brick Lane, I was starting to feel a little hemmed in so we hung a left just before the end, came across this lovely second hand bike stall and headed to Spitalfield market, new to me, quieter and a new kind of scene.

We walked to Liverpool Street Station after that and caught the tube back into the West End. We decided the cinema would be great for a sit down and with Suffragette just 5 minutes from the actual movie beginning, it was perfect timing. The film was cracking and portrayed that period of time incredibly well.  

Feeling a little peckish (and chilly), we found a great restaurant in China Town before meandering back to Russell Square. We pondered on another movie but in the end, the times weren't quite working so we went to the pub round the corner, got a takeaway cup of tea and took it to bed! 

It's been a bit of a walking expedition but thoroughly enjoyable in the beautiful weather. Lucky.