1998 Mystery of History – Day 22

Saturday – London – twinkle, twinkle, is that a star I see?

A most enjoyable night’s sleep.  As I have already stated - no traffic, no car horns and no wake up calls.  Glad to be back where you can walk down the street without having things shoved in your face and in general being harassed – but still longing for Egypt’s monuments.  Kylie doesn’t have to work today so we decide to go to Madame Taussauds.  Walk to the station – and get the train to Baker Street where we run into some soccer fans going to Wembley for the England vs Bulgaria game.  Saw the local louts outside the Globe Hotel.  Arrived at Taussaud’s and joined the queue.  We wait for about half an hour before we get in.  This is truly an amazing place.  Some of the statues are so lifelike but others are a bit on the waxy side.

Kylie and I have our photo taken with Big Arnie Schwarzenneger when we first come in.  This must be the obligatory tourist photo – and yep, we bought it.  I nearly said to him is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me – but I suppressed the urge!

There are so many wax figures – Harrison Ford, Pele, Sean Connery etc.  Some of them could do with some good matte finish makeup and some looked as if there faces were melting.  Bringing my Aussie manners to the fore I thought I had better say hello to Dame Edna and let her know that everything is going OK back home.  As you can see, she is really glad to see her possum and offers me a cup of tea and some lamingtons.  Unfortunately we are on a tight schedule and I cannot stay.  We go to the London at Night exhibition where it is set up like Jack the Ripper days.  Then we get on a ride and at the end Benny Hill salutes us as we pass.

After that we have a look at the outside of the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street.  We did not go in – maybe next time.  Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson lived here between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The house was last used as a lodging house in 1936 and the famous 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained as it was kept in Victorian Times.

On the way home we stop and do a bit of shopping for some fruit and veggies. Later that night Kylie went to the pictures but I stayed at home. Still a bit tired and also running out of money ! !

Highlight of the day – being the typical tourist at Madam Taussaud’s