London – Day 1

My friend Sue and I arrived in London on Wednesday morning after an uneventful, though totally packed, flight. After checking in at the hotel and miraculously being able to get into a room immediately, Sue and I set out for a walk and lunch. Our hotel is in a wonderful location, right on Tottenham Court Road, close to an underground … Read More

London – Day 2

My plans for the morning included taking a long walk to see holiday decorations and what is new since my last visit. I should have known better than to make plans. It was drizzling when I woke. Rather than the sky brightening, it became more menacing. When I stepped out to start the walk, serious rain began. I hopped a … Read More

London – Day 3

It didn’t rain today!!! It was cold and windy, and rain threatened but never came. But with the forecast for rain, I changed my plans from a walking tour of the street art of Brixton to visiting two of my favorite museums. My first destination was the National Portrait Gallery, recently opened after a three-year pause for repairs, re-design, and … Read More

London – Day 4

This has been a whirlwind trip, cramming a lot into a brief time. Today our friend Jacqui took the train down from the Midlands to meet Sue and me. After catching up during a leisurely breakfast, we headed to the Tate Modern. The Tate Modern, opened in 2000, is a massive museum housed in a former Power Station. The special … Read More

London – Day 5

I started the day off very slowly because I hadn’t slept well. Caffeine in my system, I had just about enough energy to board a bus to Selfridges on Oxford Street. In years past they’d had some wonderful holiday windows. This year most of the windows were announcing the post-Christmas sales. Back on a bus, I headed towards the Royal … Read More

London – Day 6

Five out of six days have been rainy, but that hasn’t dampened my spirits. London has too much to offer, inside or out, to make me feel gloomy. I walked from the hotel to Covent Garden with the intent of exploring the London Transport Museum. Adjacent to the museum was a small flea market that I couldn’t resist poking around. … Read More

London – Day 7

The weather on my final day in London convinced me it was time to go home. For the sixth day out of seven it was raining—not a drizzle but full-out drenching rain. Because my flight wasn’t until evening, I wanted to spend it productively. I headed over to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. It seemed as if every other … Read More

London – Day One

Getting through Heathrow felt like a forced march. It took a full hour to get from the gate to the Heathrow Express train—and that doesn’t include getting through passport control. We did finally make it and in fifteen minutes were at Paddington Station, directly adjacent to our hotel. Our room, of course, wasn’t ready. Sue and I drank caffeine and … Read More

London Day Five

The weather today was dismal, which dampened not only our clothes but also our plans. We had matinee tickets for a play at the National Theater at Southbank. Southbank is an area that borders the Thames and is a favorite place to walk. But not today. The forceful blasts of wind snapped my umbrella. It got tossed into the dustbin. … Read More

London — Day Four

My good friend Pascale lives in London. Her friend Isabel who lives in Paris was visiting her. We’d arranged to meet for lunch at Senor Ceviche, a Peruvian restaurant. I had loads of time, so after exiting the tube station I wandered around somewhat aimlessly. Out of nostalgia I did a quick walk-through of Marks & Sparks (Spencer’s). In years … Read More