After getting in so late last night I finally got a chance to meet my room mates who were two young girls from Amsterdam. They were busy packing up as they told me they’re on their way to Prague this morning.
They are perfectly polite asking if it was ok to draw the curtains and be moving around while I lay in bed.

I can see it’s a stunning day outside so I get myself together and head downstairs for breakfast, but not before stopping at reception and booking in another night. It was cheaper to do that than to get another ticket back and forward from where I was staying.
The breakfast is included in the cost of the night at this hostel. It’s basic but perfect for what I need. Cereals, juice and toast with some pancakes as well. The dining room is busy as I hear all kinds of accents and languages come and go.

I head out on the hunt for some good coffee. I’d been given a couple of suggestions on Facebook from aussies living abroad. It’s a 10-15 min walk from me so I set out and use the time to check in with family. Letting dad know I’m not returning tonight, call home to my girls as I stand amongst the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square.

I talk to my mum and my sister too as I walk through laneways and back streets to find a cool and very busy coffee shop. That’s a good sign.
It’s called Flat White in Soho and the coffee is AWESOME!Next stop is to get some clothes. I’d packed light and for only one night so would need something to wear tomorrow and had been told about a discount chain here called Primark. It’s like KMart in Australia. I get a complete outfit (underwear included for about AU$20-25.

I have no real plans for the day, other than one bucket list item, so I wander about the city soaking up the sights and the people. I swing by Leister Square to see what sorts of cheap tickets are on offer for the theatre in preparation for tomorrow when dads back in town with me. It’ll be great to go to the theatre. I love musical theatre. Having fallen in love with it from a very early age, I’ve been able to see so many wonder musicals, and so keen to enjoy it here in London’s famous theatre district.
I decide to have brunch, I’d already clocked up a lot of steps and worked up an appetite. So I decided to find a sunny people watching spot in Leister Square.

The coffee isn’t as good at the Italian restaurant I stop at but it’s fascinating to see who’s going past. School groups, tour groups, families and couples. I giggle as I hear a lady hurry her husband along cause he’s obviously walking too slow for her liking.
I get the bill and I’m amazed that I’ve been charged a £1 cover charge. Now I’ve paid cover charges to get into clubs, but never to eat at a restaurant – go figure.

I decide it’s time to see when I can get on the London Eye. Years ago I’d been shopping in a market in the Rocks in Sydney with my dad. He’d offered to buy me a print for my house and I had seen this gorgeous photograph of the London Eye. It was a fairly new fixture in London at that time and I said to my dad “I’m going to go there one day”!! Well today was that day.Standing underneath it gives you the real sense of its size. It’s quite a spectacle. I check out the prices and realize that for not a lot more you can go with a guide and sip champagne as you take the round trip. There’s a time slot available I’m about half an hour so I book myself in and find a sunny spot to watch street performers on South Bank.

The time passes quickly and I’m told to go through the VIP entrance up to the Eye Lounge. It’s incredibly busy outside and at the ticket office so it’s a lovely way to start my experience, and my 360 degree map of what I’m about to see is exciting to look through while I wait for my guide.

The time has come and Kahera is our guide. She’s super sweet and corrals is from the lounge downstairs. She brings with her the supplies we need for our journey and we go through a quick security check.
It’s great to have skipped the queue and within minutes we’re in the landing area ready to go. It doesn’t actually stop moving so you have to be quick about getting into the capsule.

From here there’s not too much to say. Because sometimes experiences like those take your breath away. For me being up there was a ‘pinch me’ moment. It was incredible to tick this one off the list. As always with moments like that I’m overcome with emotion and my eyes well up. I can’t help it, it’s who I am. I’m living a life where my dreams come true. How could you not be moved by that? I soak up the views, pose for pictures of course and chat to some women my age who are celebrating one of their birthdays. They’re my age so we hit it off immediately.

I thank my guide and leave feeling quite chuffed about my experience. It’s time to head back to the hostel to check in again, but on my way back look down an alleyway and see a cool pub that looks very quaint, with a funny sign out the front.

I have a quick pint of cider and realized it’s nearly time to meet up with my cousin and his family who’ve lived abroad for many years. It’s so incredibly cool to meet his daughter for the first time who is now 4 years old and of course to see his lovely wife again too. Jai, Rebecca and Mia were the perfect dinner companions. I’m so fortunate to have INCREDIBLE family. We can always pick up where we left off. It’s adorable to watch my cousin with Mia who clearly, like many daughters with their dads, has him wrapped around her little finger.

We eat in South Bank at a place called Giraffe. The foods amazing and I introduce Jai to the magic of Stawberry and Lime cider. We all chat and catch up on life and family, before realizing the time has passed quickly and it’s time for them to head home. But before we do Mia has requested a visit to the merry go round so we swing by there and Jai has to ride along with her. They’re the only passengers so she is told there’s a horse with her name so of course that’s the one they choose.

Before we part ways Jai says he has something he wants to show me that I’ll like. We make our way to a street behind the Eye. As we arrive out the front of a restaurant he says “look, I walk past this everyday”. I look up to see it’s a restaurant with my name on it – literally.

Its after this that it’s time for my family to hit the road. I squeeze them tightly and send them on their way. I’m feeling pretty tired and considering whether I’ll head out for my final night in London. I figured I would need to recharge my phone regardless, so I head back to the hostel.
Seems I have one room mate that has checked in, but they must be out still. It’s nearly 9pm and I think it would be terrible to spend my last night in this wonderful city lying on a hostel bed, so I regroup and head for a lively pub somewhere. Hoping to find one that’s friendly and cosy.
I head toward Leister Square and before I’m quite there I see a busy pub that I walk up to the bar.
As the bartender took my order I was shocked and just stared at him. I just realized it was my first encounter all week with an Aussie working and the accent took me by surprise. In this international city there are many countries represented and was taken aback to finally hear an Aussie accent from behind a bar.

I order a half pint of cider and he scoffs at me and says “c’mon you’re an Aussie, I’m pouring you a pint”. I laugh and accept that it’s what needs to be done, and find myself a seat and maybe find someone to chat to. It’s not long before I’m approached by an American who’s name is David. He is in software marketing and here for work. He travels a LOT! And I mean a lot!!!! He tells me he’s just clicked over 2 million miles with United. A platinum member for life. That’s obviously a great thing , but that much travel comes at a cost. There’s been no time to start a family of his own, but is a proud uncle of 4 nephews.
We chat about life, family, politics and travel until the bell rings for last drinks and the ‘ugly lights’ come on. We decide to kick on and find another bar close to Charing Cross train station and surprisingly (or not – for those who know me) we are once again plagued by the last drinks bell. So we share a bottle of prosecco to finish off the night and part ways.
As I’m walking back to the hostel I pass an all night McDonald’s. Now it’s about 2:45am and the place looks as busy as a food court at lunchtime. There are people everywhere and the place is a buzz.
As many people know in Australia, a big night out is only complete once you’ve done the mandatory Macca’s run! So it seems it’s the same on the other side of the world too!
The Mcdonald’s here don’t have cashiers, it’s all touch screen ordering so I front up to one and order some McNuggets. I notice a guy next to me wearing a suit and bow tie. I tell him that late night Macca’s is a ‘thing’ in Australia too. He laughs and then looks at me absolutely mortified. I ask him what’s wrong. It seems he has ordered more food than he can carry himself. He tells me he has friends waiting outside in a car after being at an industry awards night.
Of course I offer to help him with his load of food, of which he is super grateful! Our orders are up and we are out, I follow him to the car, hand over the food and wish them all a good night.
It really is time for bed, I am exhausted after having walked over 32000 steps and not a lot of sleep the previous night. I am let in by the night manager and make my way up the stairs to level 6.
I try to be quiet as I unlock the door to find both beds taken. One looks up as I open the door and I wave an apology and quietly go about jumping into my pjs and then bed.
Last day in London tomorrow!!