A Birthday Weekend

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Happy birthday Rachael and Gwilym.
I came to London for the weekend to meet a friend and celebrate her friend’s birthday. It was only after I arrived that I learned it was also her boyfriend’s birthday also. Happy birthday to you both.

Yes its true. I flew out of New York on Friday evening heading to London for just two nights. My work schedule does not permit me to often take long trips so I have become very good at fitting weekend trips together. Although Europe requires one day off where the west coast does not I am usually able to make the time up during the week that this works well for me.

I arrived on Saturday morning to very light rain. The kind to just be annoying. As I could not check into the hotel until after 1pm I went out to take care of the things that I had forgotten to pack. A trip to Marks and Spencer and Vodaphone took care of this. The fact that I bought a towel at M&S becomes funnier still when I was reading H2G2 at the RCC on the way home. Amazing how the strangest things can lead to unforeseen events. My laughing out loud at the line in the book about the towel prompted a woman sitting across the way to look up, see what I was reading, and show me she had the same book with her.

Back to Saturday. When I was finally able to go check in I caught a bit of the Formula qualifying. That made me happy despite the rain. After a quick shower I was ready to head off into town. I had about 6 hours before I was to meet up for the birthday party in Covent Garden. That allowed me to walk around the neighborhood and get used to things. Then it was into the pub for a pint and a bit of football.

When I arrived in Covent Garden early I came across some loud out of control George’s Day celebrations. This was so interesting to me I watched for nearly an hour. Just people raving and having fun. I even called my step brother at home in New York so he could listen to it.

After quite some trouble finding Browns I arrived 30 minutes early. Told the hostess that I was going to the bar and that I didn’t know anyone else in the party so if they arrived where I would be. It wasn’t too long before I was “discovered.” The group slowly poured in and it was a party. We had around 25 in the group and an L shaped table those familiar with the San Francisco VT bash of 2003 will understand. And as such it kept the conversations and groups to pretty much those around you. But I had a wonderful time. I got up and talked around a bit and gave Rachael her birthday gift.

After dinner some of us headed out for a drink or three to celebrate. It quickly became only the four of us. After about 4 hours here dancing and having fun it was time to call it a night. I walked the wrong way for a few minutes but quickly figured out how to get back. SO many people on the streets in that part of London that late on a Saturday night. I was actually amazed.

I made it back home and slept well for about 6 hours. When I woke up and had showered I called Gwilym on my way to the internet café. I was off to HighGate station to meet up with them and spend a day in a more relaxed atmosphere than in central London. This was a wonderful day. Lunch. Drinks. Friends. Fun. Except for a stupid mistake by Timmy it was a great day.

Monday saw me killing a few hours after waking far too early. I had to be out of the room by 10am so I was up around 830. A shower and packing later I loaded up and made my way out to the streets. I ran around. Did sight seeing. From Covent Garden to find the fish and chips place everyone on VT has been raving about to Big Ben. I had seen most of the sights my first time here but had no pictures. Only Jeff’s camcorder recorded that first trip. The weather was pretty lousy but I got some shots and said, “Next time.”

After my running I returned about noon to the fish shop. There I had lunch. Cod and Chips. And a Fanta. It made for a nice lunch and I actually considered taking a portion to go so I could eat before boarding my 6pm flight home. I sat as long as I dared. Was reading Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Between that and the rain I was enjoying just chillin’ living a day in another town. Shortly after I was done with lunch around 1 I headed back to the airport. Just too tired and done with the weather. Yes a couple hours earlier than I needed to but it was ok.

I took the Heathrow Airport Express back to the airport and checked right in. It seems to me on second thought I should have at least checked out all the Star Alliance lounges there at LHR but I spent the time in the Red Carpet Club and just waited. Watched the sports on CNN. Read more of my book. Had a snack. And thought back about what a great weekend it was.

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