My new sister-in-law, Liz, visited London recently -- for the first time -- and we showed her the town. Diane took her to some of the sights, including Harrods, on her first day with us.

On the second day, we walked like crazy, starting at Parliament Square, then walking up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. From, there down the Strand to a lunch break at the West Cornwall Pasty Company (yum). Then across Waterloo Bridge to the South Bank of the Thames.

After a badly needed coffee break at the National Film Theater cafe, we continued along the South Bank, passing the National Theater and dipping into the Tate Modern, which has a sound-based installation ("Work, work, work," one speaker intoned repeatedly, in a distressed voice).

Emerging from the Tate, we crossed the Millennium Bridge, the wonderful footbridge linking the Tate and St. Paul's Cathedral. We poked around the cathedral a little, then took a bus home -- and collapse.

What made the walk fun was the fact that it was the day of Lord Mayor's Parade. We managed to skirt the parade but catch some of the good vibes from the people who'd attended it.

I think Liz had fun.