Facts Not Opinions

Although the Tabard Inn is long gone, this plaque marks the location of the starting point of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Southwark a few Aprils ago.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the neighbourhood, taking in some colour

and subtlety amongst the brick.

Another plaque commemorates Mary Wollstonecraft ("Mary Wollstonecraft - 1759-1797 - Writer, teacher and champion of women's rights") but doesn't explain the significance of the site.

It turns out that Wollstonecraft lived in Dolben Street from 1788-91--I think it should say that on the plaque! We quite liked this next bit of urban decoration,

enjoyed the forcefulness of this entranceway,

and thought that construction behind Tate Modern made for a fresh look at the iconic building.

This set of almshouses was built by the Drapers' Company, whose money came from the wool trade.

We peeked through the railings for a closer look at the pretty houses and gardens.

By now we were ready for lunch and had a particular spot in mind, but found ourselves in front of a wall that isn't usually here blocking us from the restaurant just on the other side!

After a bit of a detour through Mint Street Park,

we arrived at El Vergel, a dreamy hole-in-the-wall lunch spot which is always completely packed and even more utterly delicious.

Although we usually wait until after we're done eating to decide if we're going to go for El Vergel's impossibly light cheesecake, today I noticed there were disturbingly few slices left after the lunch rush, so I ordered our cake at the same time as the rest of our food--good thing, because I noticed several disappointed faces after the cake sold out.

I wonder how long R. Sullivan made wardrobes for?

After a bit more wandering,

we made our way over to the newly reopened Whitechapel Art Gallery, to the left of Aldgate East Station below:

After two years closure and some £13 million in renovations, today was only the fifth day that the gallery had been open again and the crowds were out to see the exhibits and explore the rejuvenated building. The only quiet moment we had at the busy gallery was just before we entered one of the exhibition spaces:

Overall, the gallery was impressive and quite beautiful. Bob actually used to work just down the road, so it's a shame the gallery was closed during his time in the neighbourhood, but at least it reopened before we left London!