What a long day, I am not really sure where it began. After a long day of cleaning and packing we stopped at Grandma's house for a quick visit before Joe and Bonnie took us to the airport. The flight was direct, smooth and 7.5 hours long. We tried to sleep as much as possible but I can't say that I am feeling 100% right now.
In our blurry state we arrived in London at Heathrow airport at 9 am, waited in an enormous immigration line then hopped on the Underground to find Sharon's flat. I am rather impressed that we walked right to her door without incident. We settled in and had a lovely lunch with Sharon: lasagna, salad, bread and chocolate cake with strawberries. I feel like we are really being spoiled.
After lunch we went into central London to catch a few sights before closing. We walked across the Jubilee Bridge, under the London Eye and across Westminster Bridge where we admired Big Ben and Parliament. Westminster Abbey had just closed for the day so we settled for a walk on the grounds until tomorrow. We strolled past a statue of Churchill and down to Whitehall where we watched the changing of the horse guards - very cool.
Onto Trafalgar Square we headed into the National Gallery where we marveled at an incredible collection of artwork. Monet, Manet, Picasso, Pizarro, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne - we lingered a little too long in the impressionist and post-impressionist galleries and we have to go back later to see more Renaissance and Medieval work as the gallery closes at 6 pm sharp. Boy do they usher people out of there quickly. Impressive.
We are back at Sharon's now having hopped on a very packed tube to get here. The underground is on strike as of 7pm tonight so we will see how we get into town tomorrow.
Dad, after all the years of listening to you talk about how great London is I am seeing you around every corner and hearing you talk about all of these places and how cool the quirky Britains are.
In our blurry state we arrived in London at Heathrow airport at 9 am, waited in an enormous immigration line then hopped on the Underground to find Sharon's flat. I am rather impressed that we walked right to her door without incident. We settled in and had a lovely lunch with Sharon: lasagna, salad, bread and chocolate cake with strawberries. I feel like we are really being spoiled.
After lunch we went into central London to catch a few sights before closing. We walked across the Jubilee Bridge, under the London Eye and across Westminster Bridge where we admired Big Ben and Parliament. Westminster Abbey had just closed for the day so we settled for a walk on the grounds until tomorrow. We strolled past a statue of Churchill and down to Whitehall where we watched the changing of the horse guards - very cool.
Onto Trafalgar Square we headed into the National Gallery where we marveled at an incredible collection of artwork. Monet, Manet, Picasso, Pizarro, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne - we lingered a little too long in the impressionist and post-impressionist galleries and we have to go back later to see more Renaissance and Medieval work as the gallery closes at 6 pm sharp. Boy do they usher people out of there quickly. Impressive.
We are back at Sharon's now having hopped on a very packed tube to get here. The underground is on strike as of 7pm tonight so we will see how we get into town tomorrow.
Dad, after all the years of listening to you talk about how great London is I am seeing you around every corner and hearing you talk about all of these places and how cool the quirky Britains are.
Hugs to everyone back home.
8 comments:
You did do the dishes for Sharon Anne, didn't you??? Please post a pix of you, Sharon Anne, and Bob. If you see Peter, get him in a picture too. I'll put one in the Family Book of Pictures next to the one of Sharon, me and all the other Brownies in 1955.
Hi, Judy!
Glad you made it. Non-stop flights sure are nice. Looking forward to the dailies. Retirement day #4 was better than #3 but probably not as good as #5!
Just in case... anothergreething is Mike Kamionka :-)
Thank you all for the wonderful comments everyone, we look forward to reading them. Mom, she won't let us do a thing - but I am trying to help. I will get a picture for you - yesterday I looked too dreadfully tired to post a photo of me for the world. Off to Picadilly Circus!
Very full first day! Awesome pics! I love the history and culture of Europe! I am getting the travel bug BAD... Dave is going to have to listen to me now!!!
big ben kids, parliament
Brown- hilarious!
jeannene
Jeannene, 'brown' is my rather hilarious friend P.J! choosing to identify himself with his favorite pseudonym. What can brown do for you?
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