Another Day of Touring in London

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

The garden in front of Buckingham Palace

Changing of the Guard

View of London from the Eye

Looking up at the Eye

Sally with Ben (really the Clock Tower) in the background
Friday. May 5
Yesterday, after updating our blog, we had ever intention of going back to the hotel, but The London Eye was calling our name ! So we hopped on the hop on/hop off bus again snf told the driver where we were headed. Our driver apparently really wants to be a comedian. He told us that he would need to break the rules to get us there, but he would do it. We, however would need to quickly get off the bus when he gave us the secret signal (he assured us we would recognize this secret signal). He then put the map in front of his face, pretending that he was looking for the best route, with no hands on the wheel. Soon he shouted “GET OFF THE BUS NOW !” What a secret signal. The London Eye was very cool. One trip around on this huge ferris wheel took 30 minutes. It was about 7pm. By the time we got back to the hotel there was no way that I felt like going out to eat. Ken went to Young’s Pub and brought food back. I know it is hard to believe, but I was almost too tired to eat.

Today we promised to take it slower. We started out with the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the parade that goes with it. We really enjoyed all of the pageantry. We were in the front for the parade and I remarked to Ken before it started that it felt like we were in Disneyland, and I was waiting to hear “It’s a Small World”. We didn’t hear that, but the Queen’s band did break into a Beatles “best hits”. Seemed very odd.

Next on the list was the Winston Churchill War Rooms. On our way, we walked.by St.. James Park. There are a lot of joggers in London. In fact Ken will be missing the Tower of London Jog. The weather is near 80 again today, so the park was full of people, many business people sitting on the benches eating lunch and reading. A gentleman came and sat next to us to eat lunch while we were resting and seeing if our GPS knew where we were. He (Michael Green) started chatting with us and telling us about London, giving us directions, talking politics (careful Bakkens). As it turned out we agree with him on everything ! As he was talking, he would talk about where he had just been in the world (which is everywhere). Ken asked what he did for a living, as he had said he was so lucky to have a job he loved to go to everyday. He is the CEO/President of International Shopping Centers. His phone rang a couple of times and he said “excuse me, I’m so sorry” and then got rid of the person and came back to his conversation with us. We sat and talked to him for about an hour. He said West Wing is his favorite show. May 21st he is going to Las Vegas and will meet with William Jefferson Clinton. He did not end the conversation until we got up to go. We did make it to the war rooms and it was incredible, Rooms set up just as they were during the war for Churchill and those planning the war. We were there longer than expected, so did not go to Westminster Abbey or Harrods. We actually sat down and had lunch at Churchill Bar. I had a jacket (baked potato) with prawns and avacodo, and Ken had Shepard’s Pie. It was good and my feet were happy to rest. Then we tried our 1st attempt at the public bus system.. We asked someone waiting how to get to Victoria Station, where we are now. He helped us out and once we got on the bus met a lady who was a war bride from Naples. She has lived in London 52 years and we talked about Italy, Italian food and on and on. She told us how to signal the driver when we wanted off, which was a stop after her, and the lady next to her promised to help us out after she left. As we got off the bus, another gentleman ran up tp us to point out the way. I guess my point is, that the people have been incredibly friendly and helpful. Tonight is the Globe Theater ! Sally

P.S. Did you notice that Ola is now sending us smart ^%$ comments from Oslo? I tell you, we get no respect anywhere ? I didn’t say it was my birthday while we were in Norway because it wasn’t my birthday month. I do have some scruples !