I'd never been to the South bank before, and it seems like a happening place. It is just across the river from Westminster and Whitehall and that fun part of the city. There are restaurants all along the river walkway and it's close to the London Eye. Sometimes when I go out by myself I make mental lists about potential date nights, but those never happen so the list is getting really long.
The market was really festive, there were Santa Claus street buskers (that Simon seemed to be both attracted to and afraid of) and a youth school choir singing carols.
We wandered through the market for a bit, but I wasn't having any luck finding a cash machine so we decided to cross the river and spot a few more Paddington bears on the trail through Westminster.
Flexibility is the name of the game for London outings. I was disappointed that it wasn't the experience I had hoped for, and sometimes going to the city feels like such an effort that I hate it when it feels wasted. But I remind myself not to lose perspective. Any outing in London is worthwhile.