Baden-Powell Council BSA
at the
2004 Blair Atholl Patrol Jamborette

Day 1 - London

:"Day one" of our trip started the morning before, when we met in Binghamton to catch a bus to JFK airport in New York City. By seven that evening, we were in the air, and on our way to London. 

As we made our approach to London Heathrow, the airliner made a long downwind to the east, then a long final which brought us up the Thames and over Westminster, for fabulous views of London. 

Westminster, with London Eye	The Isle of Dogs, and Greenwich
	A bus met us at Heathrow, and we were driven to the South London Scout Centre in Dulwich (pronounced "Dullitch") to drop off our gear. A short walk from the Centre, and we were at Sydenham Hill train station (left), a fifteen minute ride to London Victoria Station.
From London Victoria, we took the Underground a few stops, then walked to the Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall. Along the way, the Scouts got to see part of the Changing of the Guards as we walked by Buckingham Palace. Then, it was through the sandbagged opening and down the stairs into the War Rooms.
	Left: One of the War Rooms Above: Clive's steps and the entrance to the Cabinet War Rooms.
	We had lunch at Wesley's Cafe in Methodist Central Hall, across from Westminster Abbey (above, left). From there, we walked across the Thames to the Imperial War Museum (above, Jerry and a Sherman Tank). After that, we rode the London Eye (left) observation wheel. At 430 feet in diameter, it's the biggest in the world, and offers an unparalleled view of London.
Parliament, from the top of the Eye	Tyler in the Eye
Jason, overlooking the Thames
	From the Eye, we had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe - the hostess worked a miracle, and got us in and out in time to meet our guide at St. Pauls for our evening "Ghosts of the Old City" walk.  Left: Spencer at the Wallace Memorial Left, below: St. Paul's Cathedral Right, below: Sean and David in the ruins of St. Andrew's Church