London & Dublin

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Trip has been exciting. Sarah's bags lost. Finally found yesterday. Weather so far better than expected. Only had rain on last morning in London. Didn't stop us from visiting the Tower of London. While in London went to British Museum (could spend days there), Natural History Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum. We wandered through vendor stands in Covent Garden, walked through Hyde Park, and attended evensong at St. Paul Cathedral. Highlight of the 3 days was going to Gypsy at Savoy Theater starring Imelda Staunton as Rose, mother of Gypsy Rose Lee. An amazing performance in a musical with many great and familiar songs.

Can't talk about trip without talking about food. Went to Gordon's Wine Bar arrival night for wine and great cheese and bread. Gordon's is located in an old cellar extending under the Thames, great ambience water drips and all. Lunch next day at Sarastro in theater district. Very eclectic decor and mediterranean food. Last night in London we had fantastic Italian food. The gnocchi in three cheese sauce superb. Have beening walking over 15,000 steps daily to enjoy this food.

Monday we moved on to Dublin. Interesting wait for plane since they don't announce gate until 10-15 minutes before departure. Plane was delayed so we spent about 90 minutes watching for our gate listing. First day in Dublin we saw the Book of Kells at Trinity College, visited National Museum, and took a walking literary tour. Ate dinner at an organic restaurant serving many traditional Irish dishes, also many vegetsrian choices. Some items chosen by our group were cottage pie,

fish pie, braised lamb shoulder, and pumpkin and squash soup. All were delicious.

Intended to add pictures, but having problems getting them from phone to netbook to blog. May need to send separate photo edition from phone. Another day in Dublin and then on to Belfast.

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