England in a day and a half?

Well not exactly...but we did see a lot!  Flight was smooth, on time  uneventful and full as the flight ahead of us never took off. Sat with a young girl (Rachel) who reminded me of Kate. She was off to Munich for Oktoberfest and missing her earlier flight had already put her drinking time in jeopardy. Plus she wasn't going to make her connection...hopefully she's there and happily well on her way to drunkeness.

Did we sleep?  eh...the word is tested...those seats need a bit more recline in them to actually feel like you might sleep. Oh - and Ed is officially on his vacation diet. Supper in the airport followed by Dinner on the plane. I was good - just drank water on the plane - didn't need to start digesting agian at 10:30 p.m.

Watched The Hunger Games!  Awesome!

Taxi ride to hotel was uneventful but it was quite expensive and quite warm in the taxi, which also reeked of smoke. Don't think we drew the best cabbie but he was next in the queue. Arrived at hotel at 11:00 a.m., were given two warm chocolate chip cookies upon arrival - yum yum, and our room was available. Awesome! So yes, we had to do it - took an 1 1/2 hour nap. there was no way we could function without it.

Of course when I awoke I thought we had slept all afternoon but it was only 1:30 p.m. and we felt refreshed so out we went to explore. Our hotel is in Westminster near the Thames so we were able to walk past the Parliament and Big Ben and Westminster Abbey - across the Thames to where the London Eye is located - we were near Kings College where Kate spent the summer and I wonder if the restaurant we chose to eat at was one she had visited...Troia!  Fish and chips for lunch followed by more walking - checked out the Thames River Cruises in preparation for our Sunday adventure; shopped in Westminster Abbey shop (church was closed to tourists at that point) but we decided we would return for Sunday morning services.

Getting tired so back to hotel for a relaxes dinner in the hotel's Millbank Lound - a nice bar with casual seating where you can order light fare. Had two complimentary drink coupons (issued to us due to a mix-up on our room - we were attempting to nap when another guest was given keys to our room and attempted to enter--oops--we didn't complain but got the free coupons anyways.  So relaxing - 2 drinks - club sandwiches - and remember those 2 chocolate chip cookies earlier?  Well I asked the waiter if we could get them but he said no!  But then, a bit later - he brought us 2 warm chocolate chip cookies - it pays to speak up.

We were up on Sunday morning at 7:30 am to enjoy our included hot breakfast - again, very well done and then off to Westminster Abbey for Morning Matins at 10:00 a.m. What a treat. Sat in the "choir section" but didn't have to sing...haha...  the bulletin was very explicit and inclusive (this church administrator approves). Mostly a sung service with limited congregation participation. 2 scripture readings, a sermon, unison Apostles' Creed, and beautiful music by the boys choir (and some men too). One of the clergy sat directly behind us and his singing (chanting) was awesome; plus his singing helped me sing the last hymn.

Then off to the Thames to catch our 11:30 a.m. boat to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier - built in 1982 to help with the terrible flooding that occurs during Atlantic storms.

Spent the remainder of the day in Greenwich - lunch at a pub. Had the "Sunday Dinner" - English Roast Beef, potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding and horseradish. Then the trek to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian. Lots and lots of people and quite a walk - uphill - then a queue to pay 14 pounds total to see the "line" and take our picture. Probably waited an hour on line with some fun entertainment explaining the history of this "line". YES, it was moved 3 or 4 times before other countries all were in agreement; except France.  It took them another couple of years to decide that they would use this line as well. Stupid...French....oops, sorry!!

While yesterday was sunny and cool - today was grey and windy and cooler. We caught the last boat back to Westminster and while we had thoughts of walking to Buckingham Palace it was not to be.  Dinner at the hotel and tomorrow we head to the ship. Our bus leaves at 9:30 a.m.

Goodbye to London for now....we will return someday!


Betsy (and Ed)