Pictures I Hope

Cabs, Churches, Cocktails

Howdy Mates,

My last day on this adventure was packed with activity. I began by seeing the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Horses, band and soldiers all done up in their red. It was impressive as was the mob of spectators. I was told the crowd was normal. WOW ! I then went to Westminster Cathedral ( the Catholic one). It is big and impressive. I saw the tomb of Cardinal Hume, one of my heroes. the church is filled with dead prelates and side altars dedicated to the various countries that are part of the UK. There is even a shrine to St. Patrick with medallions from the many and varied military detachments that make up the Irish army.

I then walked to the Abbey, the original Catholic Cathedral run by the Benedictine monks, now in the hands of the the Church of England and the sight of the royal wedding. I waited one hour in line, or as the Brits would say on que to get into the Abbey. Once inside it was clam and comfortable. I got to see the many, many tombs, poets corner, Edward VII chapel with the Knights of the Bath and their heraldry. The tombs of many kings and queens were very evident as well, including the tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary buried next to each other. The reason for the crowd was to see the 8 trees in the Abbey and the flowers for the wedding. The trees etc. will be removed Friday of this week. There is a tradition begun by I believe the Queen Mom, as she left the Abbey on her wedding day she placed her bridal flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Katherine did the same last week and her flowers lie on a white pillow on the tomb. Very nice custom and beautiful to see. I spent close to two hours touring the Abbey enjoying every moment I was there. There was a crowd, but not over bearing.

I made my way back to the hotel to catch two minute nap and then headed to the Royal Festival Hall where I met Marc. We went to a pub on the south bank of the Thames had a beer and then grabbed a cab for a restaurant called La Barca, Italian and fantastic. Drank some more had a great meal and went to a bar called Cubana. That's right there is a Cuban bar in London. We had a couple of mojito's and headed to our respective homes. Marc leaves for Hong Kong in a couple of weeks. I am confident he will do well there. By the way the firm he is working for is Marks and Spencer. I believe I left the "s" of Mark the last time.

I have a car coming to the hotel at 12 noon to take me to the airport. I hope a flight and then I am home in New Jersey. It is difficult to believe that 4 months of travel are coming to an end. As I have said before this has been a fantastic experience. Thank you one and all for your support. It has made this time of my life rich with memories.

Take care, see you soon.

Love,

Bill

A Walkabout in London

Greetings from London,

After breakfast I wandered around my neighborhood. I found Tiffany's two blocks over and Linley. I know the name Linley in that there is a gigantic wooden mural in the grand lobby on the Queen Elizabeth done by David Linley. A beautiful piece of work, all inlaid woods. What is interesting is David Linley he is Princes Margaret's son and has the title Viscount Linley. He is 14th in line for the throne of England, if anyone is counting. He studied wood work and opened his business 25 years ago. Going through his shop, nothing is inexpensive. Is it the work or the name, who really knows. But I must say his furniture and gift wear is spectacular. Everything rings of outstanding quality and craftsmanship. His upholstered chairs are in the thousands and I don't mean dollars, in pounds. It was a great visit and I fell in love with everything I saw.

I then walked to Oxford St. It is like Times Square on the 1st of January. An absolute zoo of people. I went into a store called Primark; I believe it is London's answer to SD Klein on the Square, for those old enough to remember. Another zoo of people buying everything in sight. I quickly exited there after I got what I needed - another suitcase.

From there I walked to the Marble Arch and down Park Lane pass all the elegant hotels. I made my way to the Hard Rock Cafe that is celebrating their 40th anniversary. This was the first Hard Rock Cafe in the world, at least that is what they claim. Had a great lunch, went to their store, more damage and then walked to the hotel at which time I collapsed and took a brief nap.

This evening had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant called Dolada. As I wandered the streets of London there were a couple of observations I made, the men are very thin, I realize this is the business side of life. Second the men wear very slinky suits, that is my feeble way of explaining what I saw, and third they love colorful shirts and ties, suits are dark, but the rest bright. As a matter of fact it seems every man was in a dark suit and boy did I see them. The women were done up in everything under the sun. Colorful, short, bejeweled, and in spikes. How they get around I know not. It was a great day filled with people watching.

Tomorrow I pack again in the morning. I am meeting Marc for drinks and dinner at the Royal Festival Hall. I've been there before, it is a great spot on the Thames right next to the Eye. It should be fun. Then come Thursday, I fly back to the States. I have really enjoyed my days in London. Tomorrow I will try to get to Westminster to see the trees etc. Everywhere you look the union jack is flying. By the way I walked pass the USA embassy on my travels today. It is big. It is my understanding that the President is coming to London in the next month or so, that should be an interesting visit.

In the mean time take care, see you soon - I hope.

Love,

Bill

London with a Friend

Greetings,

Marc and his friend Graham met me in the lobby of my hotel. We sat a gabbed for some time just to catch up. The big thing in Marc's life is his pending move to Hong Kong. He has taken a job with Mark & Spencer. The job is in Hong Kong which will serve as his base as he travels the far east. It sounds like a great job and he is excited about it. He begins working for the firm May 9th. He should be on his way to Hong Kong within three weeks.

After the catch up we went to a restaurant I have been to before. It is London's answer to an American diner, nice try. Food is good and American down to the apple pie and ice cream. After lunch Graham left he went home to get ready for a date. Marc and I walked through Green Park to the Palace and the throngs of people still circulating around. We walked the length of the Pall Mall with all the flags and gold roping to Trafalgar Square. We then found a pub called the Silver Cross on Whitehall. After a drink and some rest we wandered down to the Horse Guards and then to the River Thames. On the way we passed the original Scotland Yard offices, a dozen statues or so and many white buildings that looked rather official. Marc and I parted at the river. He went for a train to take him home and I wandered along the north side of the Thames looking over to the Eye. I came to Parliament and Big Ben. The towers were glowing in the reflection of the evening sun, it was a little after 7pm. I walked over to Westminster, it was closed at that time. Then proceeded to Green Park at which tie I hailed a cab, you know one of those big black ones with room to dance in the back seat. One difference my cab was a dark hunter green car. I am now back at the hotel and resting after my tour.

It was a beautiful day filled with sunshine a strong breeze and a chill in the air. It was great to see Marc. I will see him again before I leave. I am really beginning to fall in love with London. Its antiquity is complemented by its modern love of life and fashion. I have been told that I am living in the heart of the fashion world and young professionals. It is obvious, by what I see as I walk out the door of the hotel. But as I tour the city, I see much the same. Young, beautiful lively people walking the streets.

Take care.

Love,

Bill

Busy London

Good Day,

Had breakfast at the hotel this morning. It is called an English breakfast. Everything under the sun is served. The Brits love mushrooms, baked beans, sausage, English bacon, potato in a triangular shape, eggs etc. They enjoy breakfast. I saw this on the ship and it was repeated today.

I then boarded the Big Bus for a tour of London. I sat on the upper deck and enjoyed every sight. Today was a beautiful mild sunny day. London is packed with people. I am not sure if they are tourists, like me or Brits enjoying the weekend on the streets and in the parks all of which where packed with people. Speakers corner in Hyde Park had its share of onlookers and people perched on their soap box or ladder. The tradition is that since they are at least six inches off British turf they can say what they wish, as long as they do not speak ill of the Queen. After all the park is a royal piece of property. Saw Westminster, Tower of London, Big Ben ( which is the name of the big bell in the tower). A number of the royal parks, Oxford St. Regent St. Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and so on and so on. Great tour !

Came back to the hotel grabbed a nap; then went for a walk about. I find I am in the midst of the men's stores. There is one shop after another dating back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. One shop is older than the next offering shirts, shoes (custom made) suits and some of the wildest sports jackets I have ever seen. The shirts and ties are aglow in fantastic color combinations. I would have a great time here if I were let loose with an unlimited budget. As I mentioned the Ritz is up the street and down the street is the Mayfair another five star hotel.

This was a great day. Tomorrow is a bank holiday so the offices are closed and I suspect some of the upscale shops, but the rest of the world will be buzzing about. The Brits had a four day weekend, with the Wedding on Friday and the bank holiday on Monday many may have gone for the weekend or stayed home and took to the streets today.

Tomorrow I will be with Marc and a friend of his Graham, whom I met on an earlier visit. Marc has taken a job in Hong Kong, he leaves the end of the month. From what I can gather he is pleased with the offer and job. I'll know more after meeting with him over the next few days.

Take care one and all,

Bill