elmo

In memory of Meg...USO will never be the same without you!

May 12, 2012 London calling part one

You know when someone mentions this great deal to go to London, make sure you really think about the great deal before you go for it. So I was told about this great deal to go to London...inexpensive express trip, sounded great. Great until getting on the bus (yes, I said bus) which wouldn't have been bad other than it was filled to capacity. Now I don't mind traveling by bus; I don't mind traveling overnight on a bus because I usually just try to sleep anyway...but this bus was FULL. That being said, I would say that was the only bad part of the trip.

So we get to the outdoor rec office at our departure time (with the rain having somewhat passed and only sprinkling) and load everyone on. I got lucky and got a window seat (works best for sleeping on the bus) and we were off...and I was asleep as soon as I possibly could be (had to get my rest for arriving in London the next morning (yes, we left at 10 pm). I successfully slept until the point in Calais where we had to get off the bus so that we could go through UK customs before we got on the Chunnel. Keep in mind, this means I slept my way across France (no big deal since it was nighttime anyway). So we quickly get through customs, nothing to declare, and back on the bus. Where I promptly went back to sleep (thank heaven for sleep aids for certain events). Somewhere after getting back on the bus we waited a little while (I could not tell you how long since I was asleep) and then the bus was loaded onto a train, which then made its way through the Channel Tunnel (thus the Chunnel), and yes I slept through it all. 

I did however wake up on the other side of the Tunnel. The picture below is of the Chunnel exit (to the right of the picture)...I was not camera ready so didn't get a good picture.

 After leaving the Chunnel we still had a little drive to get to London. It was kind of pretty countryside (but of course not easy to take a picture when you are sitting in a full bus, so I didn't take many...I know, what a shocker). I did however like some of the signs, like the one below. From an American's perspective I think that the idea that the Brits don't have a sense of humor is way off. They had a few signs that I enjoyed....besides how can anyone think they have no sense of humor when they have Monty Python???

 Finally we get to London, and then get to go around the same route repeatedly...this was the first time outdoor rec did a trip to London...it was a learning experience all around. When we did finally stop and get off the bus, there we were, at one of the entrances to the theater presently showing Wicked. I plan on going to see it, but this was not the trip for that...I am thinking at around Christmas time (after taking either the train or a plane to London LOL)

 We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for this outing. It wasn't cold but not hot either...a little breeze and sunshine with a few fluffy clouds. Thank goodness it wasn't like the stereotypical weather for London...you know, it is always portrayed as overcast and drizzly, but not today.

First things first...find an ATM as I had US dollars, and I had Euros, but no English pounds. Right around the corner was Victoria Station. The picture below is of Victoria Palace (another theater).

 This is the outside of Victoria Station:

 This is inside Victoria Station:

 You cant find Krispy Kremes in the states hardly anymore, but they have them here. Speaking of donuts, you would not believe how many Starbucks they have in this place (of course I found that out not only on our repeated drives to get parking but also on our walk through the day)...they seem to have one on every block, its like 7-11 or something here. So much for being a tea drinking country, they seem to love their coffee drinks too.

 I loved this flower stand in the station.

 This was on our walk, just as we were walking near Buckingham Palace (in the stable region)

 This is in back (as I thought we were in front but I guess its really the back) of Buckingham Palace. We strolled along about a half hour before the changing of the guard and somehow got stuck there because they block of the street and such...so we watched what we could.

A Bobby on horse trying to get people off the statues (waiting for changing of the guard)

Part of the crowd (on the side that could maybe see everything...we were by the fountain)

Buckingham Palace for the Changing of The Guard (The Guards were in Red Tunics and the Hussars in Black. Both were carrying their Queens Regimental Colours Flags'

These are the red coat mounted soldiers...there are also blue coats...but they are shown later.

 Somewhere in all the mess that was the changing of the guard (only a mess because we got stuck when we didn't plan on it) Jennifer's friend Paul had made it into London. He was nice enough to come in to show us around. Somehow in the mass of people (thanks cell phones) he actually found us, and the sneaky fellow even figured out how to get from the gate side to where we were. He was a nice man and it surely did not hurt to have to listen to his Scottish accent all day :) He was a wealth of knowledge so we learned a lot. Actually he is so helpful that after all the tour guiding he did, he also was kind enough to send me a list of the places we went so that I could include them on here (in case I forgot any)...I tell you, he is fantastic!

 We passed Wellington Barracks - the location for the current Guards. Then through St James' Park where the trees are from all over the Commonwealth /former Empire.

Wellington Barracks is the building behind this statue...oops I didnt really get a good picture of the barracks. The Wellington Barracks is where the guards live. So on the changing of the guards, the guards coming on duty come from here and make their way to Buckingham to do the change and the ones coming off duty then come back to the barracks.

Through Queen Anne's Gate - The middle one can only be opened by authorized  people. in this same area is the Guards' Chapel - where Guardsmen can be married etc.  

 Petty France here London Transport is run from. The Underground is also known as the Tube.

New Scotland Yard - the new home of the original detectives. Now headquarters for London Metropolitan Police - I wish I had gotten a picture of the vehicle they impounded for not being insured. What happens if the vehicles aren't insured is they are impounded and then destroyed (I have no idea why they don't impound them and then auction them off because from the sounds of it sometimes they are awfully nice cars).

Strutton Ground Market (it was closed) - a traditional London Street Market.

Then on to Westminster Abbey and The Sanctuary Deanery - Princess Diana was buried from here.

OK, I have to admit when I saw this I thought of Eric (my son)...he loved to watch the show Sanctuary, and it always seemed to be in the London area.

Big Ben

I cant seem to get this picture to go right for me...but this is another example of how funny some things are...while still being helpful...this is on the street (helpful in that I, like many have a habit of looking to my left first for oncoming traffic, when the traffic closest to me in London would be on the right...thus, look right)

the Statue of Abraham Lincoln at Parliament Square

This is a display that is up in Parliament Square in honor of Brian Haws...the only person who was allowed to protest in Parliament Square; for peace. He died about a year ago.

The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament - Commons & Lords)

Westminster Bridge looking toward the London Eye

Westminster Bridge - looking towards the old GLC Buildings which Margaret Thatcher hated.

The Cenotaph Memorial to those who have died in conflicts

Then a walk along Whitehall towards the Ministry of Defence and the Protest about UK involvement in Iraq.

Paul looking pensive...probably questioning his decision to show us around :)

And yet again, the Brits are so helpful as to make sure we don't get run over.

Downing Street - home of the Prime Minister

Then onto Horseguards ...Her Majesty's Household Cavalry. The Blue & Royals were on Guard - Mounted & on Foot.

This poor guy had the hardest time. His horse was spooked left and right and then he was having a hard time with his sword. Poor little man.

Into Horseguards Parade - here the Trooping of The Colour by The Guards takes place every year. Also the place of Beach Volleyball for the Olympics.

 Past the War Rooms ...where Churchill ran WW2 from.

The Mall - where HRH goes back to Buckingham Palace through Admiralty Arch (Residence of The First Sea Lord - the "Senior Service")

We were lucky and came upon a few groups doings some dancing.

Not many could pull off wearing a bouquet of flowers on their head, but he did it and did it well.

Leicester Sq - where the Movies Premier in the UK

Ok, not really an embassy...really a restaurant, but I bet the Texans would like their own embassy.

Trafalgar Square

Yay, London and Buddha's b-day,who would have thought we would be so lucky?

Union Jack undies, Tube hats...a tourist mecca. I wish I had stopped and gotten a pair of the Tube boxer shorts for Rosemary (remember back from the blog from Paris...she has a tea towel with the Metro map, these boxers had the Tube map on them).

 Piccadilly circus with the statue of Eros and the neonlights at the corner

Fortnum & Mason - grocers to The Queen.

Ding Dong Oolong...what a name for a tea...too funny

 Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason. It was too funny, the waiter came along and took my napkin, unfolded it and placed it on my lap...well Jennifer had already done hers so she took it back up and wanted the waiter to do the same for her. The poor guy was so frazzled that he ended up doing the napkin but then walked off with her plate.

We didn't shop in Fortnum & Mason (other than to have our tea) but we did walk away with a little souvenir, thanks to Paul ;) (shhh, it's our secret)

I know my pictures might take a while to load...actually I hadn't thought of it until Heather told me, so I will split this up. In the future I will work on just putting a few pictures and linking to a shutterfly folder, so it wont take so long. Tea time seems a good place to split though, so hope you have enjoyed the pictures thus far, and I will continue with London calling part two.