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....

Shift 3 (Friday): "is the Thames masculine or feminine?"

Lego map of the World.  Festival of the World @Royal Festival Hall

Copyright @elmurphs on Instagram

Today we had a new location manager who was a bit more flexible in terms of not assigning us to a particular areas so we headed up to a nice shady bit by the National Theatre (it was hot again and those pink and purple tops don't exactly breathe).  This was actually a really nice area to be as the National Theatre has a series of outdoor performances so we were able to dance along to the music waving our Time Out magazines.

We were really put through our paces when a group of French kids came and asked for help with their questionnaire.  Having helped them with a couple of questions they turned their questionnaire over to reveal a whole page of unanswered questions about the Southbank and London.  I had to stifle a laugh when my sister mumbled despondently under her breath "oh, there's loads."  They were also properly difficult questions too, so I did exactly what I tell my students not to do....turn to Wikipedia.  Together we got there and sent them merrily on their way to have their photo taken outside Lambeth Palace (the last challenge on their questionnaire).  One we weren't quite sure on was "is the Thames considered in Britain as masculine or feminine?"  Literally no clue.  They said that it was feminine in French so we just went for that.....

Favourite question today #1: "Where can I buy flip-flops?"
Favourite question today #2 and possibly of all time, outside on the Southbank: "How do I get out?"

FAQ: Can I go to the Olympic Park without a ticket? (No, you need a ticket for the Park or an event taking place in the Park- tickets for events at other Olympic venues, e.g. Earl's Court, will not allow you into the Park).

After our shift we decided to walk to the BT London Live site at Hyde Park.  After a 5 hour shift on your feet in the sun, maybe the hours walk to Hyde Park was a mistake.  Nevertheless we got there, found a nice chilled out shady area near screen 5 and spent a very pleasant London evening sipping wine and then watching Feeder for free!  

Shift 2 (Thursday): where can I get a river boat?

Wenlock, near Charing Cross.  

Copyright @elmurphs on Instagram

Day 2 was the first really hot day of our stint and everyone wanted a river cruise.   Working out which boats go from where, when- not so easy.  I think by the end of our shift we’d finally worked it out…just.  We spent this day roaming too, which we liked doing as it means you get to wander around the Southbank rather than staying in one place; the downside is ferrying huge packets of Time Out between the London Eye and the National Theatre, getting down to the furthest reaches only to find your colleagues at the other end had once again run out of Time Outs. 

Another popular question was about the Wenlock and Mandeville trail- statues of the mascots have been placed around London and you can walk different trails to find them, while taking in the main sights and sounds of this fine city.  A lady and her young daughter were trying to find some, and wanted to know their locations.  Unfortunately our maps only show the trails and not the exact locations of the statues, but I was able to point them in the direction of our nearest Southbank ones (up near County Hall).  I also had my picture taken with the little girl and I am obviously much better than both Wenlock and Mandeville.  Our pod also has a list of all the ones near our location and you can find various blogs of people that have walked the trails too giving more details of the statue locations.  Not everyone is a fan though- as we found out on our way home- as we stopped to take a picture of Wenlock one lady stopped to complain about the mascots and how they did not represent London.  Chances are people taking photos of it are not going to agree with you….

After our shift we continued to practise what we preach.  We headed down to Leicester Square to the TKTS booth to get some cheap theatre tickets.  Having plumped for Blood Brothers we then went for a drink sitting outside in a sun-bathed Leicester Square, followed by a meal in Chinatown and then hankies out for Blood Brothers.  Did I mention I love London?