In the past few days I haven’t been finding I’m getting any better with my energy still low, a persistent cough, and sore throat that makes talking painful. To try and get some insight for the first time in my life I went to see a doctor in a foreign country. Apparently, walk in clinics here are a fairly rare thing here and are operated as part of the private system.
I found a clinic online (incidentally just around the corner from Harley Street the traditional stronghold of doctors – for reference watch “The King’s Speech” again or read some Agatha Christie). After getting the go ahead from my travel insurance folks, I headed there bright and early this morning. I anticipated that it would be like walkin clinics in Canada where you can wait a while. However, I was the only person there. After filling out a form and paying I saw a doctor immediately.
Final result was unsurprisingly a viral upper respiratory tract infection (causing the post-nasal drip, cough, and sore throat) with some secondary mild bacterial infection causing ongoing mild fever. The long and short of it is that I have to take a course of antibiotics and use some other meds to manage symptoms for the next while until it runs its course.
It felt so strange paying to see a doctor – just wrong somehow that that service isn’t available to everyone. I like the way we do it better, it’s more fair.
Besides seeing the doctor, I didn’t really have any real plan so I just headed off wandering. This is one of my favourite things to do when travelling – just start walking and follow interesting looking streets. The result was that I actually ended up hitting many of the typical spots you’d go to see in London.
First discovery was Liberty’s department store which I remember visiting in 1990. It is still as beautiful inside.
Liberty’s of London
Interior court
Liberty prints – can’t believe these are still for sale but they still seem to be popular!
Continuing to wander further afield, I came across Trafalgar Square. Interestingly the pigeons are so inbred that they are their own breed of pigeon now!
Random blue chicken sculpture in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square and National Gallery
Canadian Embassy by the square
Following the lovely green space of St James Park, I stopped by Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately I’d missed the changing of the guard by about an hour. Next time!
Buckingham Palace
Pelican in St Jame Park
At the official Buckingham Palace Shop they still had the commemorative plates for little Prince George. Though I have a soft spot for the monarchy I couldn’t see making that a souvenir!
Prince George birth commemoration plate
Heading down toward the Thames I went to Westminster Abbey. I decided that I’d go in and do the full audio guide tour. I’m glad that I did as I had totally forgotten that it is the burial place of so many British Monarchs. Being a lover of Tudor and Stuart history it was fun to see the tombs of so many of them (Elizabeth, Mary, Edward etc). Unfortunately photography was prohibited (why do I always follow these rules??) so I am dependent on post cards for pictures of the interior.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey nave
Westminster Abbey – Lady Chapel erected by Henry VII to be the Tudor family burial place
I know that we were here in 1990, but I only have vague memories. I do know that the coronation chair had the Stone of Scone in it at that point (it’s been returned to Scotland since).
After the abbey I just walked along the Thames admiring the parliament buildings and other sites.
Parliament Buildings
London Eye – I would need some company to give me courage to do that one!
As you can see the weather deteriorated later in the day so I headed north towards the hostel as I was totally pooped and my legs done in. I’m hopeful that I won’t pay the price for all this walking by a deterioration in my health tomorrow. I really need my energy back quickly as I’m heading off to Morocco on Wednesday and will shortly start an “active adventure” tour where the focus is doing hiking, biking, and other active pursuits. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
I just wanted to mention how much I enjoy seeing comments and hearing your thoughts. I’m having a good time and I’m glad that you are also enjoying sharing in my explorations. Please keep them coming and I’ll keep posting!
Hey you, take care of yourself. Upper repiratory stuff can get worse if you don’t rest (i.e. walking pneumonia). Give yourself a day off and sleep if you need to.
Really enjoying your travels vicariously, and your writing is great too! Seeing a more creative side to you!
Hugs from Toronto where tonight it’s going down to 4 degrees.
Susan
I love Trafalgar Square, it makes you feel a bit better being a Canadian travelling abroad to see the maple leaf
Hi Louisa!! Sorry you have not been feeling well, but I hope the meds are kicking in and you are able to sleep and recover your energy. The commemorative plate for little Prince George would be neat, but just collect dust in the long run . I like your idea of a photo – there is your souvenir!! Or perhaps they have minted a coin?? Much smaller and easier to store without taking up so much space.
I remember seeing some of these places too when we stopped in London on the way home from Belgium in 1970 – but I remember mostly the highlights of our quick tours – the accents just killed me!!
Cheers!!
Lee