Blogs from Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 10

July 11 Shealyn is winding down or trying to catch her breath. Each day we have walked anywhere from 14,000 steps to 23,000. So after breakfast today we went back to the room and took a little break. We had decided to ride The Big Bus. We missed all the great pictures you can get from the top of the bus. The pick up site was just a half block from our hotel and between the 2 routes we would get just about everywhere we wanted to go. So we bought the tickets and off we went!! When you take a bus tour like Big Bus, if you listen to the tour guide or prerecorded guide, you learn so much about the area. I usually try to take notes and pictures so I can make sense ... read more

We got up and got ready for breakfast. We’ve stayed at this hotel in 2019 and loved the breakfast. We were hoping COVID hadn’t changed all that. We had 2 eggs on bread, beans, really good bacon, chocolate croissants, coffee, toast and tea. There was also cereal, fruit, and juice available. It was excellent. Our goal today was to get to some shops near Buckingham Palace that were closed for Good Friday when we were here last. We also wanted to walk they Hyde Park and sit in chairs along the water. We never found the chairs, but did visit the pavilion which had a coffee shop/ restaurant and Toilets. As we were walking, Marsha noticed her feet were swollen and her shoes were rubbing blisters. So we detoured to a pharmacy to get bandaids and ... read more

So we landed in Heathrow about 20 minutes late, which wasn't bad since we left NYC about 50 minutes late. The flight was uneventful after our run to make the gate. The food was good....not delicious but good for plane food. Shealyn says she didn't sleep but II did for several hours. I watched one of my favorite movies...Life is Beautiful. Nanci Bowen, it made me think of you..............Buongiorno principessa!!!! We disembark the plane and heard through customs which was incredibly easy. Off we went to the baggage claim. I have a Delta app on my phone that lets me know when my luggage is loaded, as well as other alerts pertinent to my flights. So I get a message that my luggage is being loaded on the carousel. Sure enough luggage starts coming around. We ... read more

Woke up early and went to Piccadilly square which really is the Eros statue. Very few people there, lots of street cleaning machines getting city ready for another busy day. A short walk to Trafalgar Square; I really do love this city. Went to British museum. Love that place.... read more

I decided to do a circular walking course around Chelsea on 8 June. Sloane Square and King’s Road were decorated with Union Jack flags. I remembered there are we used to go to the concert at Cadogan Hall. King’s Road had a number of designers’ shops – Hobbs, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Russell & Bromley, Whistles - and a lot of pretty looking tea rooms. I had a quick look at John Sandoe bookshop and found some modernist classic books. I was directed to turn right on Burnsail Street. Just a few minutes away from bustling King’s Road, it allowed me to see quiet, stylish Dutch houses. Many houses had beautiful roses, climbing roses and picturesque facades with pretty lamps, bay balconies and sash windows with balconies. As I walked on Britten Street, I found a ... read more