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