Shift 4 (Saturday): "how far to Tower Bridge?"

Tower Bridge copyright @elmurphs on Instagram

My most common question of my time so far has definitely been "how far to Tower Bridge?"  Or quite often London Bridge, but I'm pretty sure it's the usual tourist mistake and they really do want Tower Bridge.  Today I got asked this question several times and always try to guesstimate based on my assumption of their walking speed.  Consequently my answers have varied widely but generally from our post at the National Theatre I reckon about 30 minutes, Google Maps reckons around 40.  I like pointing people down that way though as there's so many things to see on the way.

It has been very busy and such a great atmosphere on the Southbank all week but as this was our first weekend day it was even busier and bustlier (if that's a word).  We were also treated to a great flashmob outside the National Theatre.

My favourite question(s) today was from a group of Spanish (I think) young people.  They got one of our maps and asked me what they should see in London.  Their enthusiasm to see everything important and giving me a chance to wax lyrical on how great London is was the vision I had when applying to be a London Ambassador.  Together we worked through the map as they circled everything they wanted to see.  Their conclusion in the end was to circle the whole map, "everything!" They were also thrilled that so many things were free, they were very happy when I told them the British Museum had no charge.  Isn't London brilliant?  I sent them away a happy bunch who were off to walk to Tower Bridge and catching Tate Modern and the Globe on the way.  Followed by the British Museum, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery & portrait gallery, and Covent Garden.  Then over to Knightsbridge for the V&A, Science and Natural History museums.  Followed by an evening in Camden.  Or, thinking about it, they may have to spread it over a couple of days.....

Similarly we had a lovely American tourist who wanted to check with us he had seen all the main attractions in London.  After reeling off a list of everything in any decent guide to London we were struggling to think of somewhere he hadn't been.  He also wanted to see Scotland Yard as he said that's the image they often see on their TVs.  Of all the famous places in London.......

Can't believe tomorrow is our last shift, and the last day of the Olympics.  We will miss it way, way too much.

PS don't forget that you can't watch the closing ceremony at Hyde Park unless you have tickets (now sold out), it will be on at the large screens at Victoria Park though!  We've been given the advice that the best place to see it is at home with friends and family.  I might just do that....