Today I joyfully slept in to 7:30am. Vasilis had left for his office of course, but then I'm not sure when he sleeps. Carolyn was getting dressed, Philip was sound asleep, and Donna made it to 9:00am. By the time we finished breakfast and got out of the apartment it was nearly 10:30am. We walked the two blocks to the bus stop heading to China Town to buy tickets for Singing' In the Rain at the Palace Theater box office. We wanted tickets in the 40 pound range, which according to the seating chart at the box office would place us in the rear of upper balcony. The ticket agent however offered us main floor, 11th row center seats for 40 pounds each. That was about 40% less than the listed price, but as we later learned, most of the theater in London is discounted at third party ticket offices. I was surprised that discounted tickets were offered at the box office as well, especially as we are two days from the performance.
Philip wanted to see the street performers at Covent Garden which was a short walk from the Palace Theater. We entered the Market just as a street magician was preforming a straight jacket, chain and rope escape. After wandering around the market for half an hour we ate lunch at Union Jacks, a Jamie Oliver restaurant. As I would expect from Jamie, the offerings were excellent. I had a tandori chicken and Donna had grilled salmon. We watched a unicycle artist just before leaving Covent Garden for a walk along the Strand to the Parliament Buildings, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
Along the Strand we saw the large ferris wheel called the London Eye. I believe a similar ferris wheel is being constructed in Seattle. We arrived at the Abbey entrance at 3:00 pm just 30 minutes before the last entry of the day. They charge a hefty fee for visitors, 16 pounds (about $27) which includes an audio tour of the Abbey. They gave Philip a four page quiz to complete which was rewarded with a chocolate coin at the gift shop. I could hardly find the answers to the questions and we gave up after page two. 
The Abbey is truly amazing, having been started over 1,000 years ago, although it wasn't until the 13th cnetury that the current architecture was established and building continued for several hundred years. Pictures were not permitted, so I have nothing visual to share. Sorry.
We caught a bus back to Sloane Square whcih left us off almost directly in front of our apartment. Vasilis picked up Philip to have dinner with his friend, and Donna and I went back to Al-Dar, the Lebanese restaurant a few blocks away that we ate at our first night here. We tried several nearby French restaurants, but all were booked. This area is loaded with restaurants, many that we would love to try but know we won't have the opportunity (this trip).
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