London

An unexpectedly early start this morning, with what sounded like a fire alarm.  The black-out blind made it seem like 3am, but it was actually 8am. After fumbling about in the dark for the electronic control pad that controlled the lights, we stuck our head outside the door to see a couple of other people wondering.  We went down to reception to be told that there had been faults on the system, and they still trying to fix.

We got up and got ready to head out, starting with Kings Cross for the tube.  The ticket queue was massive, so we decided to walk.  Discovered that the City of London is dead at weekends, even the shops close, but we found some table tennis tables outside St Paul's, just behind the Stock Exchange, so we had a quick game there.

We crossed the Millennium Bridge on the way to Borough Market, and met Holly's sister again.  Lunch at the Market was some great gnocchi, then a brownie for something sweet.

We had asked Kate for some non-touristy things to do, and the first was the John Soane museum.  A completely random collection of things in this guy's house.  He had fallen out with his son, and didn;t want him to sell everything when he died, so he passed an Act of Parliament to leave it to the country.  It's been a museum ever since.

After that a home-made amusement arcade - strange but fun.  Then some tube rides to Bermondsy, where we met Luke and went to the Carnival there.  Sitting in the sun in the park, listening to some reggae!

Dinner back in King's Cross at a good Italian restaurant, then a drink near the hotel.  Busy, but enjoyable day all round.