London Day 3: Elementary and Lord's

AK went to visit friends today so I was on my lonesome today. To make up for the lack of good company (yes, AK you were missed), I had a low key day filled with indulgences.

• The day started with a awkward yet heartfelt hug at King's Cross (AK + me) and a minor panic attack as we realized I didn't have a phone so there was no way to keep in contact. It took us a while to figure out we just needed to work out meeting time/place the old fashioned way. 

  

  221b Baker Street
• Went to the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street but it was too early so went for a walk to see Lord's Cricket Pitch - the Home of Cricket. I was just going to poke my head to see if I could see the pitch but ended up taking the full tour. A lovely old gent by the name of Ken took us (me and five Australians) around the place. Apparently, the Aussie's won the test match against England last year and is the current holder of the Ashes Cup. The tour was fantastic. We saw the museum, the locker rooms, the committee room (where all the laws of cricket are made and where QEII sits if she comes to see a game), the media centre, and touched the pitch. As an aside, the pitch is celebrating its bicentenary... the club itself has been around for a lot longer. 
• Rode a double-decker bus from Lord's to 221b Baker Street.
• BUCKET LIST ALERT: Took the self-guided tour of 221b. Cheesy but strangely satisfying. I've been wanting to visit since I first read the stories when I was eleven. It was musty and dusty with really squeaky floors, just like I had imagined. 17 steps from the bottom of the stairs to the 2nd floor reception rooms. I waited around for a bit but unfortunately Mr. Holmes was not available for a consult. Maybe next time.
• Visited the British Museum and did an audio-assisted tour of Ancient Greek and Roman world. Saw the Rosetta Stone as well as the infamous Elgin Marbles, although they are no longer officially called that for obvious political reasons. However inappropriately acquired, the statues and wall reliefs are stunning. 

  

  Reliefs from the Parthenon (aka Elgin Marbles)
• Walked from the museum to Covent Gardens. Broke down and bought a second-hand tweed jacket for warmth and a pair of high-heeled mary janes because I couldn't help myself.
• Ate a fish and chip dinner at the White Hart Pub in Covent Gardens. The both the fish and the chips were awesome. It's at times like these that I wish I could drink beer. Instead I had to settle for some Indian Tonic water. It's almost the same...right? 
• Finally, I went to see War Horse. It was amazing (thanks Annie for the tip). After about 5 minutes, you for get that its not a real horse (think steam-pinked puppet horse operated by three puppeteers). I might have cried a little but, in my defence, so did the burly Scotsman sitting next to me. He did the whole hankie thing, I merely sniffled delicately. What a great evening.

Now back to regularly scheduled programming.