Blogs from Covent Garden, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Our last train ride which will end where we started, in London, ENGLAND. Once again the villages look idyllic, but approaching the border, there are walls and barbwire to prevent people from illegally crossing. The train enters the chunnel, and darkness ensues. On existing, the bright sunshine is a welcoming beacon into London. Have to say it is great to hear English again, and to get exactly what you order and expect in a restaurant. London is a happening place since the NATO Summit meetings are taking place over the next two days. While outside Buckingham Palace, a police officer stops a man on a bicycle, and physically redirects him. There are metal barriers for miles. A helicopter lands close to the Palace, but do not know who is inside. Wonderful to see all the Nato ... read more

Since we cancelled our day trip to Kent, we had nothing scheduled for the day. We slept in and then took a short walk to get a Dreamgirlsprogram and to Tesco then back to the room. I spent the time getting caught up on the last two days’ blogs. The crowds were really beginning to arrive for the evenings activities, much different than when we arrived before Christmas. Our only plan for the day was Dinner at Clos Maggiore, I very nice restaurant in Convent Garden, which we had to pre-pay for when we made reservations. We had walked by it several times during our stay and it looked very quaint from the outside. It was two stories plus a covered court yard and fireplaces on every level. We were very much looking forward ... read more

Saturday 18 July 2015 We have arrived in London to stay with our daughter and son-in-law and to continue the birthday celebrations begun in Berlin on 4 July. We have no idea what is in store today, are under strict instructions to be ready to leave the house at 10.30 am and to ask no questions. Occasional mysterious whispers around corners are intriguing, but give no hint of the day's programme. Holly the dog seemed to be out for a long walk in preparation for a quiet day at a nearby daycare for dogs facility, so we must be going somewhere unsuitable for dogs. The appointed departure time arrived and four well-presented people were ready to roll. To the station we went. In quick succession the Metropolitan, Bakerloo and Picadilly lines got us to our destination ... read more

Welcome to London Town ! Living in Windsor, I have been to London hundreds of times but guess what, just like a Villager, I have my boundaries and only go to certain places over and over again and often neglecting others. On this very windy and rather chilly day of mid-April, I was meeting my Friend Christine whom I had not seen in a while and we decided to spend the day gallivanting around London. Unlike myself who like a certain level of comfort when I travel, Christine is a true Explorer with a keen interest in countries which are yet to be discovered and her trips around the world took her from Siberia to Ethiopia, Yemen to Afghanistan. Needless to say that she loves walking and so do I so we made a quite energetic ... read more

While Greg had been to London a few times since his first visit in 1979, Catherine had not been outside Heathrow since 1981. But the most wonderful change was seeing Elise, and seeing London through her eyes. We were in London a total of three times and this chapter is a merge of those times. Elise walked out of the lift at her office block in St Martins Courtyard, Leicester Square and Catherine was there. The screams filled the lobby. The anticipation had built with Elise posting on facebook ‘In 12 hours my mum will arrive and I will tackle her with more love than she’ll know what to do with. A year without parents is far too long’ (52 likes). After a lengthy breakfast near Elise’s work, Elise had to work for the rest of ... read more