Day 3
A veritable walking marathon today – at least my back and legs tell me so.
Woke up at 8 and were out around 9 for a Tube ride to the Tower of London. Had a great time and it wasn’t very crowded. Took a tour first, given by a Beefeater, that was informative and entertaining. The autobiography of Henry VIII I read came to life as we saw historic spots around the grounds. We climbed up many stairs into towers, onto walkways, and around the grounds. It’s hard to believe that parts of the Tower have been there for 900 years. Saw the Crown Jewels too – magnificent. The amount of gold and jewels, and the handiwork, was unbelievable.
Woke up at 8 and were out around 9 for a Tube ride to the Tower of London. Had a great time and it wasn’t very crowded. Took a tour first, given by a Beefeater, that was informative and entertaining. The autobiography of Henry VIII I read came to life as we saw historic spots around the grounds. We climbed up many stairs into towers, onto walkways, and around the grounds. It’s hard to believe that parts of the Tower have been there for 900 years. Saw the Crown Jewels too – magnificent. The amount of gold and jewels, and the handiwork, was unbelievable.
Then after a hamburger lunch we walked out onto the Tower Bridge for views up and down the Thames. Then disaster struck – the meter on my camera broke again. It happened once before, but it fixed itself. Now what?
We headed back to Hyde Park for a walk through Kensington Gardens and around Kensington Palace. There was one very pretty courtyard-type garden, but mostly “The Gardens” were just an extension of the park.
Then it was out onto Kensington High Street, which seemed even noisier than Picadilly Circus. We stopped in “Marks and Sparks” expecting to find bargain-priced cashmere (as we had been told), but they didn’t have a single stitch of cashmere in the store. So we bussed down to Harrods, where I was given a card at the photo shop, guiding me to a camera repair shop in Picadilly.
We were kind of foot-weary at this point and didn’t feel like exploring Harrods, which seems quite massive and maze-like. So, Jill called Sir Gordon’s office at Pont Street Mews, which just happened to be right around the corner. We stopped up and said hi to Lynn, and she gave us a tour. Quite like a house rather than an office. Jill sent an insulting fax (“Yo Dirtbag”) to her New York officemate Shannon, then followed it up with a phone call.
By this time it was around 5, and we headed up to the photo repair shop. The estimate was ₤60 + 15% VAT = ₤69. Seemed no more expensive that I would pay in New York, and he claimed it would be ready in 48 hours. We’ll see!
Then a stop in a pub and a stroll back to Leicester Square to look at the half price tickets. We decided we were a little too tired though, and headed home.
Picked up some groceries and had a simple dinner of soup, crackers, cheese and Doritos. It’s now 9 p.m. and Jill is attempting to watch some horrid sitcom and I am considering cracking open David Copperfield for the first time.
Back and legs have now recovered – it’s amazing what an hour of sitting down will do! Weather – sunny and 75.
Miscellaneous Notes: 1) Jill is being too polite because she feels like a tourist. 2) Thank God for numerous public toilets. Is there one left in the USA? 3) We’ve been checking out the exchange rates – the best so far was at Harrods, of all places. 4) Jill mis-keyed the entry alarm, and it went off! Hi, neighbors!
Day 4 >>>
Then it was out onto Kensington High Street, which seemed even noisier than Picadilly Circus. We stopped in “Marks and Sparks” expecting to find bargain-priced cashmere (as we had been told), but they didn’t have a single stitch of cashmere in the store. So we bussed down to Harrods, where I was given a card at the photo shop, guiding me to a camera repair shop in Picadilly.
We were kind of foot-weary at this point and didn’t feel like exploring Harrods, which seems quite massive and maze-like. So, Jill called Sir Gordon’s office at Pont Street Mews, which just happened to be right around the corner. We stopped up and said hi to Lynn, and she gave us a tour. Quite like a house rather than an office. Jill sent an insulting fax (“Yo Dirtbag”) to her New York officemate Shannon, then followed it up with a phone call.
By this time it was around 5, and we headed up to the photo repair shop. The estimate was ₤60 + 15% VAT = ₤69. Seemed no more expensive that I would pay in New York, and he claimed it would be ready in 48 hours. We’ll see!
Then a stop in a pub and a stroll back to Leicester Square to look at the half price tickets. We decided we were a little too tired though, and headed home.
Picked up some groceries and had a simple dinner of soup, crackers, cheese and Doritos. It’s now 9 p.m. and Jill is attempting to watch some horrid sitcom and I am considering cracking open David Copperfield for the first time.
Back and legs have now recovered – it’s amazing what an hour of sitting down will do! Weather – sunny and 75.
Miscellaneous Notes: 1) Jill is being too polite because she feels like a tourist. 2) Thank God for numerous public toilets. Is there one left in the USA? 3) We’ve been checking out the exchange rates – the best so far was at Harrods, of all places. 4) Jill mis-keyed the entry alarm, and it went off! Hi, neighbors!
Day 4 >>>
