Day 47 - Laughing all the way to the [South] bank

Becca's last day in London before she goes home, and she has requested we take a walk along the South Bank and then across to St. Paul's Cathedral.

We took the tube to Waterloo station, then made our way with the crowds to the South Bank. For a long part of its history, this side of the Thames was considered the seedier side. The wealthy lived on the north, and entertainment...of all sorts...could be found on the south side. It was for this reason that Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre and others of the time were located here. Now it is a vibrant, youthful area with the Tate Modern and National Theatre dominating, between which you'll find many entertainment and restaurant venues.

A group of Morris dancers and other revelers were setting up for a parade as we passed in front of the new Globe theatre. They were preparing to celebrate Apple Day, a celebration of this time of harvest. The festivities had started with a blessing at Southwark Cathedral, then the parade was led by the King and Queen of Apple Day wearing vibrant costumes, who led the parade to The Borough Market.

You will know the Borough Market for a recent sad event: it was the site of the London Bridge terror attack this past summer. It is wonderful to see the locals continuing with traditions and enjoying all the market has to offer.

Over the bridge to St Paul's Cathedral, somewhere Becca had passed many times, but had never been into. Words can't describe, so add it to your list of places to see in London. We enjoyed a cup of tea in the crypt of the church, before returning to the hotel for our luggage and then taking the long ride out to our hotel at Heathrow airport.