Slightly in advance of my 28th Birthday, Ruth took me into London for the weekend as a surprise birthday treat. I had an absolutely fantastic time (She's a star, my Ruth is) and here are some of my photo souvenirs!
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We arrived in London on Saturday afternoon, and after dropping our bags at the hotel (more on that later) we embarked on some sightseeing.
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Ruth had a book with a list of attractions, and we chose which ones to see together on the train down. The first port of call was the Cabinet War Rooms in Westminster.
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The main surprise treat turned out to be a dinner cruise down the Thames on "Millennium of London".
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We had an excellent 4 course meal (prawns & salmon, soup, chicken, chocolate gateaux) and a some wine while enjoying London from a novel perspective.
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I think it's fair to say that we both had a wonderful time, and once we reached the Thames barrier we turned round to come back.
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On the return journey we were entertained by live cabaret, a selection of songs from west end shows. Just what we needed whilst finishing off the wine!
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As we came back into the center of London we went out onto the upper deck to enjoy night-time views of familiar sights.
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London is beatiful in its illuminated night-time guise. Ruth is beautiful any time!
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My eyes aren't straight because of the flash OK, nothing to do with the wine.
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Awww, isn't it sweet.
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Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast
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Bridges and the Tate Modern disappear in our wake
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The London Eye. Modern it may be, but it's a classic of design in my opinion.
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Not been on it yet though... maybe I'll get round to it eventually.
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OK, this is the last one of the eye, I promise.
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Ruth on Westminster bridge wearing a streetlamp as a hat.
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The hotel has a cocktail bar, so it seemed rude not to take advantage of it on our way back for the night.
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Exterior view of our hotel, the "Sherlock Holmes Hotel" on Baker street.
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It's a very suave modern design, I was very taken with the room. Note the champagne on the side. I told you Ruth was a star!
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View from the Hotel - I love the jumble of rooftops, fire escapes, machinery. It always makes me think of the chimney sweep scenes in Mary Poppins (the first film I ever saw in the cinema)
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The hotel bar, complete with bust of Sherlock Holmes himself!
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Our first port of call on Sunday was the Monument, built in commemoration of the fire of London. Spectacular views from the top, down the Thames towards Tower Bridge.
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The 311 stairs of the spiral staircase to the top are a bit scary though - very narrow with a drop right down to the bottom in the middle!
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Monument from safely back on terra firma.
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Ruth "Medium Spiced" Holohan while we're having lunch in Nandos (mmmmm, chicken!).
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The futuristic escalator into the Docklands Light Railway station at Herons Quay (Canary Wharf)
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Ruth on the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark with Canary Wharf in the background.
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The Cutty Sark in her dry dock at Greenwich.
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Ruth standing astride the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
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A squirrel running off with some food in the observatory grounds.
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Tricky to catch in shot, those little blighters!
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View across to Canary Wharf, the Dome and the Maritime Museum as we head home after a fantastic day! THANKS RUTH !!!!
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