I think I figured out the way to do it.

I woke up at 8 o’clock (which I hadn’t planned on), took my medicine, and took a shower. I lied back down thinking, “Oh, I could just close my eyes for a few minutes.“

I woke up at 11:45.

Downed a double espresso and flew out the door feeling great! After I got back at 6:30 tonight, I realized I had taken 156 photos! It’s going to be a big photo day, but I’ll whittle it down a bit!

I caught the Route 15 bus on the corner at noon. It was packed, hot, and noisy. I don’t know why the air conditioning wasn’t on, other than British people tend to be like, “Oh my God, the sun is out and it’s hot! Isn’t it wonderful?!” I would’ve taken a cab, but when the bus goes door-to-door for £2, it’s hard to turn down.

I headed over to Saint Martin’s in the Fields. The church itself is a favorite spot. There’s an awesome café, education center, and shop in the crypt, so I always stop. The café was packed, but there’s a side hallway that no one knows about that leads to a seating area that’s always completely empty.

Heading up Saint Martin’s Lane, I passed a few familiar sites and the notable Brydges Place, but I was particularly headed for a few sights I hadn’t visited in a while — Cecil Court for great shopping and Goodwin’s Court, for a great photo.

I stopped in Mark Sullivan Antiques, where I’d been a few times before. Mark is very friendly and likes to answer questions and talk, and he always remembers me. We had a nice chat. I looked for something I might like to buy, but didn’t find anything quite right. I headed over to Goodwin’s Court for a photo op.

I bought a little collapsible stool before I left, and I love it! Super-light, and folds up to about the size of a large Whitman’s Sampler. As I headed over to Covent Garden, it proved itself.

People everywhere, difficult to even walk, no seats available, like a packed day at Disney World. But. I could sit down wherever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to. I was under a shady tree for a good 15 minutes. The seat probably doubled the time I was out enjoying myself, being able to rest whenever I wanted.

Covent Garden had an exhibit of painted gorillas happening, and there were plenty of other things to take pictures of (following). I thought Audrey Hepburn should be there in her proper location, so I added her.

I saw the following two ladies on the walk back to my hotel. I’ve noticed that modern office buildings often incorporate sculpture or busts from the before-building that was torn down. After I saw this, I realized it must be a law that doesn’t state where the salvaged art needs to be.

These poor ladies are on a short retaining wall at the back entrance/loading dock of an office building that is ironically … derelict and empty.

Have a good sleep!