4 gifts shops and hardly any purchases

Today was yet another grey day but for a change it turned into real rain not that thus stopped us. We began with a later start as the first stop was Buckingham Palace and a visit to the Queen's Gallery to see an exhibition based around the Russian English monarchy relationship. It said it opened at 10 and it only contemplated opening at 10 but after full security check we made it in. The Web site did a really good job of selling and possibly over sold as it was mainly portraits of various family members and went over 2.5 rooms we were a tad shocked when we realised it was over especially when they have produced a guide book that is about an inch thick. We are not bringing one home. There was also an exhibition of pictures from the Crimea war. There were a lot of people going through these exhibitions and the gift shop was doing a roaring trade. Next we headed to the Museum of London to see the refurbished Pleasure Garden especially the archeress as Maree had followed it on Instagram. This was an interesting visit as what seemed like every school in London was there some were very poorly behaved. Then we went to the Museum of the Order Of St John housed at St John Gate. We were early for the tour that you need to go on if you want to see the building so looked at displays for way too long. Our tour was a small group of 7 and we got to see both the Tudor and rebuilt Victorian parts as well as visiting the crypt under the church. Unfortunately we were unable to go into the church as it was being rewired but as the church was rebuilt in the 50's we didn't miss much. As there was still time in the day another quick Tate visit had to be done before we quickly ate pasty's at the train station - classy I know - as Cheryl headed to Bat out of Hell the stage show and Maree came home. Bat Out of Hell was awesome but the lady next to Cheryl sang quite loudly so she is now a touch deaf. Tomorrow is Harry Potter day...

exciting.