Going To See It All: London Week 2 - Oct 8

A brilliant week here in London Town. I can't say enough about how wonderful this City is. Just so many pluses.

Tuesday night we went to see the musical Wicked and was whisked off into a magical world for awhile. The music was very good and the costumes were out of this world fantastic. The two lead witches were both great actresses with such lovely and powerful voices. So pleased with it, worth every penny.

Wednesday we took a 3 hour walking tour of London with a good tour guide who loved his City. We met at Covent Garden, a lovely old area with upscale shops. Pre-tour we charming coffee shop and had a pastry and coffee each and it was as expensive as a dinner. At least it was delicious, but I won't be back soon. I had always imagined this place was "a garden" but it is a bustling high-end, commercial area. The name Covent Garden come from the presence there in the Middle Ages of a garden belonging to Westminster Abbey. Now that makes sense.

On October 10th, we took our much anticipated day trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Had wanted to see Stonehenge for many years and I was not disappointed. Taking photos was continual because as you circled each angle of the rocks the view was more amazing. Nice stiff breeze blowing and it felt just the way it should have. Left the flat at 7 a.m. and returned around 9:30 p.m. so it was a long day.

Friday, Chery and I went to flea markets. It was a rainy day so several of the vendors were not there in our most local one. Cheryl bought me a beautiful friendship ring that I treasure and was so happy to receive. Thank you Cheryl!!!!! We then headed down to the Burough Market. claimed to have first opened in 1014, wow. A huge food and produce market and we happened there at lunch time, barely walking room. Crazy with so many people. Bought a few veggies and chicken and then headed over to the riverside to see the Golden Hinde. The ship is an old galleon being restored. To the riverbank to look up and down the Thames River. Made a nice chicken dinner and enjoyed our evening. I bought a bottle of Ginger Wine that we all tasted. It was interesting (had to try it), but nothing any of us could not live without.

The protests here for climate change have really disrupted the city transportation. We've had so many road and bridge closures, changed routes. Makes it a little more difficult for everyone, but especially for tourists since we're not as adept at changing routes mid-stream. We've, thank goodness, been able to use Uber a few times when crowds are crazy or we're uncertain of how to proceed. The transportation here is absolutely stellar. Even buses are easy to understand and I've never been in any city where I felt I could just take the bus without being confused. Great transit London.

On Saturday, Julian and I visited the London Tower. What was supposed to be 2 1/2 hours turned into more like 5, I don't think we missed anything. Fascinating to see history alive. It rained all the time we were there going in and out of so many buildings, up stairs and down. Lots of walking to see everything. The place is huge. Very interesting, learned a lot but it also makes one want to learn more about it. Reminded me of learning our presidents in school -- they have all the Kings they have to memorize. Probably difficult to keep them all straight when you have so many Charles, James and Edwards, etc.

Sunday we went to the British Museum, via Fabrique Bakery. I found this bakery by a Google search for London bakeries that use cardamon. I found this Swedish bakery (there are four spread around the city). We were walking to the museum and I turned my head and saw Fabrique and did a dance of joy. Luckily, we hadn't had our morning coffee so this was perfect. Coffee and cardamon roll for me, with three to go. I was in heaven and dug cardamon seeds out of my teeth during the day.

At the museum, a short line that moved quickly. Part of the beauty in visiting off season. Only spent two hours wandering around, but saw the Rosetta Stone which is one of the most important objects there. It holds the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyph --a script made up of small pictures that was used originally in ancient Egypt for religious texts. The collection is eclectic and rich. It is rated as one of the top museums in the world and I can see why. I think to see it properly, for my energy level, I would have to go back about six more times to cover it all.

After the museum we took the tube and stopped at a neighborhood pub and had "roast" - a sort of typical eating out in England Sunday dinner. Had a London beer (first one) and then for dinner a beef roast with the best horseradish I've ever had, Yorkshire pudding, veggies, potatoes. Dessert was the highly recommended by Julian, sticky toffee pudding that we shared. It was pretty darn tasty.

Walked home from roast, but needed lots more walking because that food was just sitting like a huge lump on my stomach. Julian said he would walk with me, so we headed off for an hour walk that turned into 3 hours. We went down to the East End and saw Spitalfields Market, they were just packing up and getting ready to close, but will return another day as that's on Cheryl's to do list. Then walked around the Brick Lane area in Shoreditch, famous for street art. Took some pictures and my camera battery finally died Fun and vibrant. There were some wonderful ethnic restaurants in that area. Glad we went walking to get that dinner worn down, felt much better.

So a week filled with so many different things. Art, history, culture, walking, shopping, and -- of course, eating. This is such a fine city. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself with the company I'm keeping. All is copacetic.