Although a resident of these fair isles, I’d never really explored this part of London. So, having set the alarm for 6:45am, I catch the tube to Embankment and begin my relatively early sortie into the depths of Whitehall. Stopping briefly to take a picture of Boadicea in her chariot, I then walk into Parliament Square as Big Ben strikes 8am. The roads are, of course, already heaving, but the pavements are relatively quiet, making progress rather easier than anticipated.

St Margaret’s Church is now ahead of me, sitting as she does in the shadow of Westminster Abbey. St Margaret’s is unusual in that she has a sundial on her spire rather than a conventional clock. With Big Ben so close by, I guess another clock wasn’t deemed necessary. Across the way now to the Abbey, resplendent in the morning sun, her honey-hued stone reflecting the rays that accentuate every detail of her remarkable masonry.

Skirting back around the side of Parliament, it’s now onto Whitehall, this broad expanse of tarmac that leads to Trafalgar Square, and is peppered with imposing statues of all the great leaders from both World Wars as well as a touching memorial to "The Women of World War Two", positioned as is the Cenotaph in the centre of the wide avenue. Whitehall also houses most of the UK’s ministry buildings such as Richmond House as well as the Banqueting House and several more very imposing structures.

Walking past the entrance to Horseguards, one of their elite is opening the high iron gate to let a delivery truck out. "Would he mind if I took his picture?" I ask tentatively. "No, but you must be quick," he responds, whereupon he draws his sabre and stands there for me as I snap away. How fortunate am I today?

Nearing the top of Whitehall now, and the first glimpse of Nelson atop his lofty perch, protected by four ebony lions and surrounded by fountains and of course, The National Gallery to his rear. After pausing here awhile to savour the sights, it’s a sharp lefthand turn into Pall Mall, another glorious wide avenue that runs from the Square to Buckingham Palace and is headed by the rather over-the-top Admiralty Arch through which the traffic must pass, assuming, of course, that it is actually moving here today.

Not having the time prior to meeting at the Eye at 10:30am, I feel it’s time to use the new telephoto converter for the Fuji in anger for the first time. So on it screws, I take my life into my hands by standing in the middle of the Mall and zoom in on the Palace, all the way at the other end of the Mall. That will have to do for now.

Feeling rather pleased with my early morning meander, I stroll back down Whitehall, cross Westminster Bridge, and await my fellow guides who should be here any moment for the trip on the Eye.