London to Paris to Barcelona

'ello 'ello this is nighthawk calling and I will say this only once. I have been chilling out in Paris for the past three days and after spending the last two days driving across France I am now in Barcelona camp grounds. It is 9.30pm and it is still very hot and humid. It is going to be a hot day tomorrow me thinks.
Before all of this I was in London, so I should probably give a run down on those days first.
For once I really enjoyed London. I think a large part of that was I was staying in Kent with Ruth which made it more enjoyable as I knew someone. I got to spend a lot more time with her and really got to know her and Lee. They were very warm and welcoming and I loved the time I had there.
During the days I was out in London city, being very local. I felt pretty local when I was able to navigate the bus systems and train systems both with and without a backpack. Woohoo. I spent quite a bit of time people watching. For once I didn't feel like a tourist so I was really able to enjoy what I was looking at as opposed to spending my days behind a camera, barely having time to look. It was quite funny watching tourists carrying on. I hope I don't look like that! I spent some time at St James' park, chilling out with the Queen who was in her palace for once. Usually when I go the flag is half mast.
I was amazed at how pretty Big Ben is. I usually spend a lot of time cringing over the amount of people but

that is usually because I am trying to take photos and look after my stuff.
I also spent some time hanging out in Trafalgar square. I went to the National art gallery and saw some amazing art, not to mention, making the most of the air conditioning. There was a giant blue rooster outside but in my head it is referred to at the Giant Blue Cock. Everyone loves giant blue cocks. Hahahaha.
London is still in heat wave mode. Whew! It was hot while I was there and the tube stations were horrifying. I literally had to change my shirt at the end of the day as it was soaked through.
My favourite part of London was at the point where I was so knackered that I stopped, I had to stop I was in pain, my poor feet, and sat on the steps under the Millenium bridge and listened to three celloists playing everything from Game of Thrones to Ave Maria. It was beautiful. I spent about an hour there just listening.

My last day in London was spent out at Canterbury Cathedral with Ruth. It was a great day out and the
cathedral is stunning. I love it there and would like to go back to explore the Canterbury Tales exhibitions and the like. It is a lot like York in looks with some narrow streets and wonky buildings.
There is a lot to see there and it was quiet enough that the streets, at least in the morning, were peaceful.

That night, I met up with the Contiki people. My first impressions was they were young, but now, having met them for the last four days, they are pretty chilled out. There are some over-sharers. I have never ever wanted to know some things about people that I now know. Sigh. Those memories you can't undo. Mostly, though, they are a down to earth bunch.

Paris was lovely. Again, I really got to look at the city this time because I had done a lot of the stuff. We

went out for dinner and I had duck. I really like it. It was duck a la orange. Mmmmm. After dinner, while everyone was out at the cabaret show, me and three others grabbed a metroline and headed down to Eiffle tower to watch it sparkle. We walked along the park, ignoring the gypsys trying to sell you booze or random crap. There were loads of people there, sitting and enjoying. We walked under the tower and out the other side and up to Trocadero which is the site where Hitler once famously stood and looked out of the Eiffle tower, surveying his lands he had conquered.

The next morning, we headed out into the city. I had a Nigel-No-Mates day as no one wanted to go to the Louvre first. So I headed out and saw the Venus d'Milo, which was great. I actually took a few photos but then I grabbed out my sketch book and did a drawing. By the end I had a couple of Japanese tourists taking photos of my picture and me. It was weird to look up and see them standing over me. I also saw the Mona Lisa from far, far away. There was no way I was getting closer than I was. It was crazy busy.

I next went to Pere Lachaise which is this very old Parisian cemetary. There are some famous people like Chopin and Oscar Wilde buried there. It was a very peaceful place with the trees turning to autumn and the orange leaves crackling on the ground, but I imagine once it gets dark it would be a very creepy place.
I did have to laugh when I saw this, though. Can you tell which part of this tomb was touched the most?

Camping has been fun so far. I am still struggling to sleep in a tent but I will get there. But now, I am off for a shower and then bed. Tomorrow is a full day in Barcelona. Woohoo.