Tues, Dec 23rd (Part Two)

Feeling energised from the rest and food, the three set off for St Paul's Cathedral. Originally, Dawn had planned to catch a bus. But when she noticed a sign indicating that the walk would take them a little less than 20 minutes, she opted for that instead.

St Paul's Cathedral brought the second mishap. Well, mishap is not the right word. The three arrived at Christopher Wren's masterpiece and made their way to the long wide stairs that lead into the entrance. Unfortunately, all they got to see was a closed door, and missed out on the glory that is the dome from inside and the Whispering Gallery at the top. The cathedral had just been closed to the public so they could get ready for the evening's Christmas choir service.

Dawn, always one to think on her feet and get out of a crisis, suggested that they should make their way to the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern on the south bank of the Thames. It proved to be an inspirational idea. For when the three made their way to London Bridge Station, they came across the Borough Market. This local street market is a food connoisseur's paradise. Not only did they have dozens of stalls selling fresh produce, meat and fish. But there were also countless stalls offering prepared foods. It was a street market equivalent of Harrod's food halls.

Without actually buying anything (they didn't want to spoil their appetite for a second helping of cottage pie when I got home), they headed to the station and made their way back to Hertford North. Thankfully, I was able to get out of work (hurrah!!!!!!!!!!!!!) a little earlier than usual and met them at the Bridge House pub across the road from the station.

The bad news was that the cold that I had in the morning was beginning to take hold. I was able to dish up the dinner when I got home, but then needed to lay down for a little on the bed. Worried about not having picked up our turkey and fixings for Christmas Day, Dawn reluctantly came with me to Tesco. One is that she didn't really want to be jostling with the rest of Hertford that were doing their last minute shopping, and two was that she was beginning to get very concerned with how my cold was taking over my body.