Market, Globe, Bridges, Tate (And You Thought Us Only Capable Of Writing Excessively Long Titles)

We achieved a great many things this day. We set out to go see Shakespeare's Globe (which we could visit free, thanks to Jo's Tesco vouchers) and totally intentionally (not even lost) found ourselves at the Borough Market. It is nestled underneath all the train interchangy things under a station, and is secretly three separate markets that all merge together. There were lots of delicious free tasters to be had - cheeses, breads, pestos, muesli, cakes, and sausages - and we confess to walking past some of our favourites twice. Or more. It was definitely more. We essentially ate a whole meal's worth of free stuff, om nom nom.

That man looked at us, saw we were taking a photo, then walked into it.

Some more of the market. Look at the delicious cheese in the background. We ate a lot of their free samples. 

Further not lost (we later found out we were heading in the exact opposite direction to the Globe), we decided an invigorating coffee was in order, from our old favourite Costa Coffee (a pretty safe bet, as their coffee consistently actually tastes of coffee, and they make flat whites). With the aid of Costa's free wifi, we slightly rearranged our route (starting with a 180 degree turn) and off we trotted to the Globe. 

So much love for coffee that actually tastes like coffee. 

Finally at the Globe, we were thoroughly entertained by our very dramatic thespian tour guide, who told us all about the history of the Globe (most of which we actually knew about five years ago - look how well NCEA English is serving us in the real world!) and got to explore the theatre a bit. There was also a really interesting exhibit about London in Shakespeare's time and the various clothes and stuff used for the plays and other things like that, that were about Shakespeare. We do love a good free exhibit. 

To prove we finally made it to the right place.

So authentic.

Look, real groundlings.

More proof we actually went to the Globe. And we got to go into the high up fancy part, for fancy people. Because we are fancy. 

We were due to meet John and Rosemary at the Tate later that evening, so decided to go explore the Bridges of London while we killed time. There are a lot of bridges in London, it turns out. 

London Bridge and our new friend. We asked a guy to take a photo for us, and his friend decided to come in it too. We're all about making friends on our travels. 

Tower bridge. Photo taken by another random. Her friend decided to watch from the sidelines.

Tower Bridge. The one Fergie dances in front of wearing no pants in the videoclip for her visionary song, "London Bridge". She later clarified that it wasn't a mistake, she simply was referring to a London bride (i.e., a bridge in London) and not necessarily the London Bridge. Sure Fergie. We all believe you. 

London bridge?

Bryony photographs Tower Bridge (a London bridge).

Alex is bored, so continues to photograph Bryony photographing Tower Bridge.

The word bridge has lost all meaning to me.

Bryony photographs the Shard. She loves to photograph the Shard.

Look at her wee face all full of joy.  

Bry manages to get two of her favourite things onto one photo.

Bryony really does love the Shard. See evidence below - photographs from earlier in the day. There are many (many) other photos from other days as well, but we shan't include all of them for fear of using up all of the world's internet.  

A crane is working on the Shard.

Zoom zoom zoom. 

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, zoom.

ZOOM.

Why hello there, gentlemen.

FINALLY. The perfect photo of the Shard.

We are such professional Londoners now that people ask us for directions, because we look so competent and like we know what we're doing. Earlier in the day, outside the Globe, Bryony gave completely incorrect directions (accidentally, of course) to some Greek tourists. Later on, while making our way along the riverbank towards the Tate, we were asked for directions again.

While we stood here, admiring yet another bridge.

All of the bridges are lit up all prettily. 

The innocent man approached Bryony, completely unaware of what he was getting himself into.

"Oh yeah, I'm a local, I totally know where Blackfriars is." And she did. Possibly.

Bryony and the bridge, both looking blurry but stunning.

Despite knowing absolutely nothing about art, we thoroughly enjoyed the Klein and Moriyama exhibits at the Tate Modern with John and Rosemary. There was a film as well, and we do love films and sitting. 

Just a casual view from where we had drinkies at the Tate.

There really is not that much more of London to go, promise. Soon, Ireland. But not quite yet. However, in the next post we go see some museums. Everyone likes museums.