Travel Tuesday

I'm going to narrow down my dozens of pictures from our trip to London. They are not in any particular order. Here goes:

One day we went to Canterbury. Here we are in front of the Canterbury Cathedral. So much history here. 

Here we are on our "rock and roll" walking tour.

I've included this picture just so my daughter, Sandy can see if we had the same tour guide (on the left). He was quite a character.

Here I am at the Rules restaurant--oldest in London--since 1798. The food was delicious. We had the BEST mussels. They were stuffed with bread crumbs and cheese. I always say that the thing with mussels is you just can't look at them when you eat them. They don't look particularly appetizing.

We're at the White Cliffs of Dover. This was part of the tour that took us to Canterbury. Butch felt like we would have seen them better from the water. He expected them to be more like the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. They are definitely "whiter."

We took a tour of the "Royal Mews." For those wondering what that is, it's basically the garage and stables of Buckingham Palace. This was something new for us, so I thoroughly enjoyed it.

One of my favorite things to look for while traveling is seeing different birds. This is a magpie--so pretty and all over! It's a pretty large bird. My pictures weren't very good so I pulled this from the internet.

This was another favorite--the Himalayan Parrot. They were all over in St. James Park. Even though I've been to this park many times. I had never seen them. Our tour guide brought some peanuts so they would take them right out of our hand. Janet didn't want to do it, so she was supposed to take a picture of me. She missed it! Birds are too darn fast.

This was our first time to Highgate Cemetery. It was the most beautiful cemetery I've ever been to. We had the added bonus of so many flowers in bloom. It was so pretty and a very interesting tour. 

Afterwards, we went to the Camden Market. The street food looked amazing, but I have a problem. I want to be able to sit down when I eat. I don't know how you can possibly juggle everything--plate, drink and actually eat at the same time. That's just not for me. Instead we found a good restaurant. After lunch we browsed the shops. That's where I found my sweatshirt. A fun day.

I forgot to mention that Janet and I went to London first. After 5 days, Butch arrived. He made reservations for us at The George--the only remaining galleried inn. We went specifically for the Sunday Roast. Our reservations were for 6:30 p.m. There were 3 types of Roasts--but they were all sold out. In addition most of the chicken dishes were gone too. Butch was "bummed" but since he loves fish 'n chips, he was fine. I don't remember what Janet got. I ordered the mushroom chili. It was unusual and good enough, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Still, I was happy to be at another one-of-kine place with so much history.

I later found out from my friend, Diane--that Sunday Roast is eaten mostly between 12 & 2. No wonder it was sold out!

After touring Kensington Palace, Janet and I walked to The Gore Hotel. We had drinks in the bar where The Rolling Stones celebrated the launch of their Beggars Banquet album in 1967. I have to admit, I am not familiar with that. I didn't have money for records. 

After our drinks, we had a "cream tea" in the library of the hotel. A "cream tea" is just scones, clotted cream, jam, and tea. We didn't want the full afternoon tea since we had dinner reservations. That was okay with me since the scones are my favorite part of a tea!

When Janet and I toured The Tower, they were putting in the poppies in preparation for VE Day. They weren't for sale yet, so I didn't get to buy one.

We stopped in Hatchard's Book Store--the oldest in London--1797!

In preparation for VE Day and all the parades, the flags lined the streets.

"The Mall" is the road leading to Buckingham Palace. It was a beautiful sight to see it lined with the Union Jack! They were all over. It was an exciting time to be in London.

Another bird. We got this picture at the Camden Market. 

This one is called a Pied Wagtail. Isn't it pretty? Birds in England are larger than the ones we're used to.

This is St. Bartholomew the Great Church--the oldest in London--dating back to 1123. It is still an active parish. Can you tell that we love seeing the oldest of everything? I'm enthralled with ALL of it. That's why I love London so much. Everywhere you turn there's something new (old) to see. Or, you might be walking around and all of a sudden you see some of the old original Roman walls! It's all so exacting to me. Especially this:

One of the first public drinking fountains from 1860. I take everybody to see it, but I don't think anybody is quite as excited as I am! It's just so cool!

Butch and me from the top of the Sky Garden.

That's The Shard in the background.

Here we are at the Swallow Falls in Wales.

The water level was low, so we were a little disappointed. We have better falls right here in Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains. Still, it was fun to get another picture.

Janet and I taking a "selfie" in front of Henry VIII Hampton Court Palace. This was Janet's favorite place--it's one of mine too.

Our view from The Sky Garden down the Thames. 

The Tower is on the left with the Tower Bridge behind it.

At The Tower.

When Janet and I arrived in London, our taxi driver was warning us to be careful of our phones because people were stealing them. Then, one of our tour guides told us the same thing. She said that people on bikes will literally snatch it out of your hand as they go by. Well, I did not doubt them, but this plaque set into the concrete affirmed it.

"A member of the public had their phone stolen here." Someone added, "The police didn't help though." Really, what can they do? Anyway, Butch and I came across this in front of St. Bartholomew's church.

And last, I have to end with this. 

The crud from just one set of suitcase wheels. 

Clean your wheels people!!

I love London so much. It's my favorite place in the world. England and I go way back! I've always loved English literature. My Aunt Marie gave me a copy of Jane Eyre for Christmas when I was 8 years old! I was thrilled to have it, but I didn't read it until I was 10. Then there was Agatha Christie when I was 11. Next, The British Invasion. I love it all--the history, the beauty, the books, the shows--all of it! Oh and definitely the tea! I do love pomp and circumstance! I cannot wait to go back!