Day 10: A date with Darwin and a Fat Duck

Off to the Natural History Museum this morn'. Specially enjoyed the gemstone collection. The rest was good, but designed very much for children, and I'm lucky enough to already understand climate change which made quite a bit of the place less exciting as I'd hoped. There were just a handful of originals of the likes of Darwin and Joseph Banks which were super exciting, and a few fun fossils, but I guess I expected to see far more of these. Those while are no doubt locked away behind secure doors at this very location (hence my memories from lots of documentaries). It was fun, but ill admit my expectations were high, expecting Darwin samples everywhere! As for the animal section, also expected this to be much more comprehensive, it was more of a scattering of animals from all over the world, not collections of whole species etc.. I'm a frump I know! Shows how hard I am to please.... I normally get excited by stuffed birds!!

Here's one for the Osteo's....

Alfred Russell Wallace's insects (he confounded the theory of evolution by natural selection with Darwin)

Darwin's pigeons!!!

Joseph Bank's collection from Captain Cook's first trip to Aus!

Here's one for you Dad:

The giant sequela!! Just think about it!

Anyhow after this, I checked out the Aussie war memorial. Its just by Wellingtons arch. An amazing artwork, displaying the names of everytown in Aus that a soldier has come from. Places not listed in any order at all, so sorry folks, couldn't find any relevant towns (it would have taken literally hours and hours to find any if methodical concentration can even last that long, although it did scan it hopefully...)

Across the road is the Hard Rock Cafe, which I couldn't resist, hearing only recently about their 'vault' , filled with guitars of the legends. It was awesome!

Back in the home end of town now to the Camden Markets. Wow, what I would've done to go there as a 15 year old. Stalls and stalls of alternative dresses, accessories, crafts and amazing looking food (alas, I could not try, for tonight a treat is in store and I needed all the stomach room I could muster).

Had a lovely time there, leaving with only necessities! I promise!

Home to "check out", train to paddington before a regional train to Maidenhead here Felice picked me up. 5 min drive to Bray, a quaint country town host of one of the worlds most famous restaurants..... In complete cognito mind you! Accidentally walked past it 3 times!..... Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck!!!!!!!!!! Yes, the time has come......!