First Stop, London

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Our flight from Portland was delayed long enough to make us almost miss connections in Philadelphia. We needed to walk from C wing to A wing. Even with "people movers" it was a long way and we arrived at the gate for London flight just in time. The London flight was long and I didn't sleep much - mostly read.

At last we arrive at Gatwick Airport and a blue badge guide collects us on to a coach for a whirlwind tour of London. Along the "motor way" we go to all the major sights of London for a quick overview and a few picture stops. Changing of the horse Guard at Buckingham Palace, Tower of London & London Bridge, Prince Albert Hall and Memorial in Kensington Park, St. Paul's Cathedral, and stop at Covent Garden for lunch.

John and I found Boswell's, a little restaurant where I enjoyed Salade Nichoise. Historically, Boswell met Samuel Johnson in this building in 1750. Later in the afternoon, we checked into Bankside House and got settled into our rooms before having dinner. It was good to be on "solid ground" after so many hours traveling.























After dinner we walked along the river Thames to the London EYE. The EYE is a huge ferris wheel with capsules in place of the usual rocking cars. The capsules are made of clear plastic so you have a 360 degree view of the city. Each capsule holds about 15 people and there are benches to sit on. It was dusk when we got on and so the views were spectacular with impending sunset. It takes an hour to go around the wheel once so there was plenty of time to take pictures.

After our ride, we walked along the lighted river bank to Bankside. It was a beautiful evening with comfortably warm weather. When we got to Bankside House, I was tired and my feet were sore from walking. To bed, to bed, sleepyhead

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Photos

Mainstage Fringe Group
We wait at PDX to board our flight to Phildelphia

Princess Diana Memorial Walk
in Kensington Park

Buckingham Palace
Waiting for the changing of the horse guard

Boswell's Restaurant
We ate lunch here in Covent Garden

The millenium Bridge
near St. Paul's Cathedral

Bankside House
We check in to our London lodgings

Capsule
At the very top of the London EYE

Comments

[karla dudley]

nice
This is a great blog.. Now I want to go.. ( except for the London EYE thing)...looks scary to me.