Bus Challenge No 86!!

Sky Garden

“Zip up 35 floors of the Walkie Talkie's shapely layers and you'll be transported to a public garden with some truly spectacular views. Sky Garden boasts three storeys of landscaped gardens lush with South African and Medterranean plants, observation decks, an open-air terrace, two restaurants, a bar and an uninterrupted panorama of the city's skyline.” www.timeout.com

1) National Portrait Gallery – “Russia and the Arts” exhibition
2) Trafalgar Square
3) Bus to 22 Fenchurch Street and the Walkie Talkie – more stunning views over London and across to the Shard from Sky Garden (Heavy rain showers meant that the views weren’t quite as good as yesterday evening, but still it was a great place to stop off for lunch and another wonderful London experience!) (extra photos 1 & 2)
4) Bus back to the hotel
5) Mini collapse!
6) Bus to St Paul’s Cathedral for Evensong service – on leaving, the sun came out and a birthday rainbow appeared! (extra photo 3)
7) Bus back to hotel for a quick change!
8) Taxi through the London rush hour traffic (extra photo 4)
9) Duke’s Hotel, Mayfair - for pre-dinner 80th birthday drinks and the surprise appearance of my brother! Frequented by James Bond author Ian Fleming, the bar is said to be the inspiration for the classic line, 'shaken, not stirred'. The Martini trolley was in action!! (extra photo 5)
10) The Wolseley, Mayfair - for 80th birthday celebrations in style!!
11) Taxi to hotel
12) Major collapse!!

Total bus journey times = No idea, too much fizz was consumed!!

(Second London backblip: Had wifi in hotel but just didn’t have the time to blip!! It’s going to take some time, but I’ll catch up with you all eventually…)