Ten thousand steps

The Grand Old Duke of York, He took ten thousand steps. Ok, that's not quite how it goes, but trust me, if he were getting about London there's a darn good chance he took ten thousand steps. Could even have been ten thousand stairs (the Brits are very traditional about some things, such as stairs, and promoting tea quality over that of coffee). Especially if he were trying to see it all in three days like some Naomi's we know.

But I am having a great time. Highlights: Seeing an 11th century copy of 'Beowulf' (yeah, yeah, geek I know); having a squirrel run up my leg; being able to confidently navigate the rail system, despite line closures over the long weekend.

Yesterday I:
-Visited the British Museum. Sadly most of the medieval stuff was not on display as there are new medieval rooms opening next year :( Still got to see all the Sutton Hoo and pre Anglo-Saxon Celtic stuff (let your eyes glaze over if you don't know what I am talking about here). My favourite exhibit was the Assyrian section, which was awesome. Marvelled at how awful British coffee is.
- Hung out in Russell Square, feeding squirrels
- Visited the National Library (oh geek out), which has a bunch of old books to make me swoon: Shakespeare folios; handwritten Alice in Wonderland; stacks of illuminated gospels, including the Lindisfarne; Chaucer; and my faves- Beowulf and the Magna Carta. Swoon.
- Hung out at Leicester Square, and found pretty cheap food in Chinatown
- Went to bed by 8pm, exhausted from 24 hours travelling and a day of sightseeing

Today I:
- Got an Oyster card for the trains- so I look like a local, and am saving money, and can get on any form of pt without fear of having the wrong ticket. Yay! I can't wait until Melbourne introduces the myki system, which will be similar.
- Trekked the National Gallery and checked out Trafalgar Square. My favourite stuff was, unsurprisingly, the 12th century section. Most of it is religious, and it is just so so cool. Was going to check out the Renoir exhibition (he being my favourite artist), but it cost £12 and I am trying not to blow all my cash at once. I can see Renoir in France.
- Wandered the wrong way (aiming for Leicester Square) to discover St James Park is very close to the Gallery. Had lunch looking at ducks and hoping no-one would come and charge me for sitting on a park bench (they didn't). Marvelled at how decent even the cheapest tea is- especially impressive considering how disgusting the coffee is. As Lisa said, that's why the Brits are tea drinkers.
- Made my way through the Horse Guard to Parliament House and (sigh) Westminster Abbey. Sadly Westminster was closed to tourists today, but I wandered what was accessible of the cloisters. Might revisit it next week.
- Strolled to Piccadilly Circus (feeling more and more like I am on a Monopoly board), caught tube to Leicei#ster Square to check out discount theatre tickets. I am seeing Les Miserables tonight. Really wanted to see Wicked, but the discount price was £40. I'm paying over £10 less for Les Mis, and I've never seen it, so it will be exciting. 12 rows from stage.
- Found a discount net cafe to blog and plan my train journey to Norwich tomorrow.

Later I will:
- Possibly wander through Hyde Park and over to the palace. It's probably something you have to do, right?
- Go to the theatre! Hopefully having picked up more cheap Asian for dinner.
- Try and find my way home again.
- Pack to leave my hostel tomorrow.

Next week, when in London again, I plan to check out:
- St Paul's
- London Tower
- London Dungeon
- Greenwich markets (we're staying in Greenwich next week)
- Westminster again, maybe

OK, off to a National Rail station to work out if I need to book a seat on my train tomorrow. Then I shall visit the queen.