London

What a day! After leaving our hotel we made our way to our next B&B which was right in London. The trip should have taken us about 30 minutes but took 90. Traffic and driving here continues to be challenging. Dave is looking forward to driving in Holland where he says it'll be a breeze. A couple of "car facts". 98% of the cars are dull colors: black, grey, dark blue, white. We've seen a few red cars and a couple of yellow. Our copper colored car stands out. The 18 wheelers all have canvas sides.

We were allowed to park our car at our B&B (a gift in the city). At 10 am we headed out for the day. (We got back at 10 pm.) We had to take the tube (subway) to the spot where we could get on the hop on hop off bus - the best way to see a city. Several kind people helped us and the trip was quite easy - not so on the way back. It turns out we were in Piccadilly Circus when we boarded the bus. That would have been handy to know. The entire bus tour took 2 1/2 hours - if you didn't get off. We got off twice. Our second guide was MUCH better than the first. He spoke none stop for the entire ride giving us incredible history and detail about everything around us.

We got off the bus at Buckingham Palace where the changing of the guards was taking place. There were people about 5 deep at the fence. Slowly I was able to make my way to the front to get a picture. Once the cermony was over, the crowds instantly dispersed. The palace looks just like it does on tv - as is should. We saw the balcany were the royals do their waving from. Off to the gift shop where I found some lovely things to bring home. We boarded the bus and headed to Westminster Abby, Big Ben (which is the name of the bell in the tower, not the tower itself), and the Parliament Buildings. The Parliament Buildings are the most glorious. awesome, unbelieveable buildings I've ever seen. I couldn't stop looking at them! Westminster (960) is lovely - all the royal weddings take place there. We didn't go inside as you can only do so much in a day. Besides, the lines were long.   There are police everywhere. Two at every entrance of the PB - and the Palace as well.

After walking around this area for a bit I realized that the bag of things I'd bought at the Palace wasn't with us. This began a 3 hour side trip. After waiting for 30 minutes for the bus to come (suppose to be every 10 minutes) we walked from the PB back to the Palace. It was just a mile away. Back into the gift shop and bought the same items again. We then jumped back on the bus and got off at the PB again. We wanted to see the Churchill War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum. It was suppose to be right near the PB. The sun was out at this point and it was quite humid (we're wearing pants). Turns out the museum was farther than we thought/were told. We arrived to find out that it was closed for renovations. You'd think the people we talked to/the webiste would have mentioned this. And the War Rooms? Why they're only about a mile away. After a brief rest, we started walking again. After about a mile we asked for directions again. Oh, it's very close. Just about a mile that way. The War Rooms were just on the other side of Westerminster Abby - where we started out from about two hours earlier. Sigh....

The exhibit closed at 5 so we only had one hour to see it - not enough. The rooms are where Churchill ran the war from. It was great! Dad, you would have loved it. The rooms were exactly as they were in the war. Maps on the walls full of pin pricks to mark the movement of the troops. Boards noting the number of planes shot down. Apparently, Churchill was a very difficult person to work for but everyone loved him.

Above ground again we planned to jump on the bus to see the Tower of London. I've read about the Tower many times and was really looking forward to seeing it. We had tickets in hand - just had to get there. "Oh I'm sorry. The Tower closed at 5." Very disappointed. We did drive by it and it's way bigger than I thought it would be. I so wanted to see it. :(

Also included in our bus ticket was a boat ride down the Thames. Okay we'll do that now. "Oh I'm sorry. The last boat left at 6 pm." More sighing.... The bus driver wanted to know what we'd been doing all day that we missed this. "Walking about 5 miles looking for things". Hot and tired we boarded the bus again and took the rest of the tour - which was excellent. We got off the bus and walked back to where we boarded it. Turns out we should have stayed on for one more section because we boarded at Piccadilly Circle which as I mentioned earlier, we weren't told when we boarded. You may think that we didn't pay attention (that would be true about the Tower closing at 4. I made a note about this in my little note book I carry around, but with so much going on I forgot it was there. The senses and mind really get over stimulated. You hear so many facts on the bus, read so many plaques, listen to conversations etc that your brain can't take any more - even though you don't want to miss anything.). But we were paying close attention and asked for directions and help often. However, not all information you're given is correct.

It was now 8 pm and other than a fruit tart we shared in a little cafe beside the Thames with the PB in background (so wonderful), we hadn't eaten in 9 hours. We had supper at a steak place in Piccadilly Circus. There's so much going on there. Lots of street performers, people everywhere. My food was excellent. Dave's, not so much. I went into a couple of shops and found something for sweet Addie. It was now 9 pm and we were tired. 

Entering the subway we asked a policeman about how to get back to the Tower the next morning - which was our hope. We then studied the subway map carefully, refered to the instructions someone had given to us (noted in my little book) and boarded the northern train going north with confidence. Weariness was hitting hard as the stops rolled by. Dave then said, "I think we're on the wrong train." And we were. We got off, asked for help, checked the map again, and boarded the northern train going north. Sounds the same as the last train right? Thus the confusion. There are 2 northern trains going north. About 9:45 we got to our station and walked for about 15 minutes. Fireworks were going off. We figured these were Americans as it was the 4th of July.

We dropped into bed very tired. It was a great day full of adventure, walking, frustration, smiles, and memories. We loved it!

One thing I learned today: The Thames River was used as a dumping place for 100s of years. The smell was unbearable.  The curtains in the PB were soaked in bleach everyday to help filter the smell. It was then, that someting was done about it.

One new thing I experienced today: We went into a McDonalds to use the bathroom. When I went to wash my hands, Dave was standing beside me washing his hands. Separate tiolets. One sink area.

Most powerful moment of the day: Being in War Rooms, looking at the maps and knowing what the pin pricks represented.

One pleasureable experience: Watching Egyptian folks, in Piccadilly Square,  celebrating the ousting of the president.