The Vibrant Colours of London

Well, here we are again on stage three of our day trip in London, are you still with me?  If you have been reading my posts for the last two weeks you will now know how much you can pack into one day.

So, are you ready?  Another cup of tea and a bakewell tart should see you through as I take you by the hand near the foot of the London Eye.

As we walked to this instantly recognisable marvel of engineering, we could hear in the distance a tuneful thump of drums.  As the sound began to make rhythms in our ears, a carnival appeared.  As if out of nowhere, South Bank became even more alive with the impromptu appearance of London youth at its best.  The group is the Kinetika Bloco Summer School, you can visit them here.

The pink head dresses filled the pavement while the crowds just made space for them to dance and gave a splash of colour against the threatening skies.

Following behind the amazing sound of the brass...

Followed by the body shaking drums...

This was the perfect show to introduce Miss Teen and Miss B to the vibrancy and surprising variety of the South Bank.

But then again, there was also the now familiar... do you remember this colourful happy juggler from my St Paul's post?  Here he was again!  This time the glasses were on hiding his friendly smiling eyes.

At the South Bank Centre it was time to look up and see the temporary boat on the top of the roof.  A surprising hotel room for now!

And below the crowds were once more gathered to watch the skateboarders perform.

Further along, bubbles filled the air, some huge and glorious...

Others, small and thousands in numbers...

A huge hit with the little kids watching.  Parents looking on with phones and cameras laughing at their children all reaching up and then chasing the bubbles across Jubilee Gardens... and then shouting and chasing after their precious babies as they disappeared into the crowds!  

Next along there was a 'bike show'.  Again, things just pop up as you walk along.

But we had two more places to see before we headed home.  The first was the Wonderground...

Lots of shows take place here and it is a good 'watering hole'.  The first show is just outside with what looked like an old fashioned curiosity show.

 Inside, the Merry Go Round was going a little slow.  I couldn't work out why at first, but... take a look... can you see why it would go so slow??!!

Did you work it out?  Yes, it is a PUB!!!  On top of each horse is a table to place your well deserved pint on as you slowly look around the Wonderground.  Must go back in the evening it would be amazing!

Miss Teen and Miss B were now ready to go on the Star Ride... (you may recognise the photo and the name on the Trip Advisor write up!)

Swinging in a circle to the very top...

Yes, that's the London Eye to the right!  Apparently the view was breathtaking... I took their word for it!

Our final leg (or my final moments on my poor tired feet) was to the Graffiti Tunnel (or Banksy Tunnel as it is sometimes called).  A friendly London Cab driver told me where it was, which was near Waterloo Station, not too far away and we approached an uninviting tunnel, but this was Miss Teen's ultimate goal, something that she desperately wanted to see, nothing was going to stop this one!

We entered the tunnel, most would probably think to quickly walk away, but the colours drew us in and knowing that there was so much more to see.

In the entrance, one of the artists was already at work...

The tools of the trade at his feet, how my daughter was yearning to join him!

We ventured further into the old disused road tunnel taking in the diversity of the street art.

Another artist who was a bit more health and safety conscious, or maybe because we were further in the tunnel and not near constant fresh air!

The street art was everywhere and Miss Teen's camera was capturing every single piece.

This piece made me smile as it was opposite one of the many doors in the sides of the tunnel that take you to various other parts.  The door opposite took us to an exhibition by an artist who makes pictures out of typewriting!

There was no Banksy today, wouldn't that have been a treat!!  However, here are a couple more shots of some of the colour down this otherwise disused grey tunnel.

Miss Teen felt so happy here and kept going taking every photo she could right until the end of the tunnel!

On our way out, we couldn't believe it!  The typewriter artist was typing her latest picture of the tunnel, just sitting on the pavement with one of her Brother typewriters!

Keira Rathbone has been on many shows and you really should watch her work here.  We were so happy to watch her in the flesh working her magic.

And so dear Readers, it was with a heavy heart (and feet), that we returned to Kings Cross Station for the train back to Lincolnshire.  A very full day from the Tower of London to Waterloo.  Never mind, back in London in a week's time to see the tall ships in Greenwich for my birthday weekend!!

I do hope you have enjoyed our little walk along the river, I can't believe what we managed to fit in.

I'd also like to welcome to some lovely new followers, and thank you all so much for your encouraging comments, you are all so very kind.

Take care.

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