When I Thought I Lost Mr BC in Westminster Abbey - Pt 2

Part One Here

Well, after our day of rest on day one we got up feeling more refreshed.* Our hotel provided a great breakfast and we feasted every morning to fuel our day. This should be the only picture of food from the H10 Waterloo, and I pulled it off the internet but this was what Mr Bankerchick had every morning, What I liked were the pastries, fruit, and they had smoothies, peach and strawberry.....yum!   We always had lunch out and about. 

 

We tackled the Tube again, as we had our Oyster Card, which worked for us the whole time we were in London.  It was only one stop to Westminster....It could have been walked but, we knew we would be walking a lot.  When we came out of the station, we were greeted by Big Ben. A big Just Think moment for Mr BC.  We never did get a good picture of Parliament (the traditional one) but did get this. 

 We then made our way to Westminster Abbey, a top spot on Mr BC's list.  Needless to say no photography in the Abbey, but we clicked as we waited in the line.
  

You buy your tickets at the door and the handset guide was free.  We used a London Pass and I would say we got our money's worth in admissions for the 3 days we purchased.  It advertises you can skip long lines, but those are only the ticket purchase line....it is your ticket.  But you still might have to stand in line if the ticket purchase is at the end of the entrance line or if there is another line to get in.....as was the case most every where we went .

Since 1560, the building is no longer an abbey nor a cathedral, having instead the  status of a "Royal Peculiar"—a church responsible directly to the sovereign. The  building itself is the original abbey church.Construction of the present church began in 1245, on the orders ofKing Henry III.^{[3] Wikipedia}

Queen Elizabeth I
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Paul and I got separated during our visit, I had walked through at a leisurely pace so I waiJust ted for him at poets corner..(I have been here before) He had spent time Thinking at Queen Elizabeth's crypt, he explained when he caught up with me.  We moved on to the outside portion of the Abbey.

The Cloister

The Chapter House
They found and uncovered some 13th and 14th century paintings on the wall.  I did not take pictures, but pulled some off the Abbeys website to show some examples.  This picture was taken from the door.   Out side was the Oldest door in England which an Asian tourist was trying his hardest to open, that really tickled me!. 

By this time we were ready to have a bite to eat, so we went to the Cellarium Cafe which is Zagat rated.  Fourteenth-century Benedictine monks once stored their provisions in this bi-level space beside Westminster Abbey, which has been converted into a relaxed eatery where midpriced Modern British eats are served for lunch and afternoon tea; the bright, modern setting has vaulted ceilings, refectory-style oak timber tables and a small outside terrace.

Next up for the day....Buckingham Palace.


*  From this point on I won't be referring to how tired we always were at the end of a day of touring, any more, just know that it is implied.  I will spare you our pain, it would become very tiresome. Since this wasn't a food tour, we did a lot of room service for dinner rather than going out again.  I know this would be anathema to many.....sorry.

A Bag of Trouble for the Squirrels

I can't say I am unhappy, that we won't have many walnuts this year. I have six black walnut trees, which provide wonderful shade in the summer and more walnuts than you can count.  This time last year, the ground was covered, with more dropping each week. 

I tried to keep up with the walnut rolling, last year, so I could walk through the yard and play ball with the dogs, without tripping on nuts. I waited and waited for someone to ask again, if they could pick up our walnuts presumably, to sell them  They came the year before, and I gratefully let them pick them up.   When they didn't come back, last year, I saw it as a sign the economy was getting better.

I don't sell them or shell any, as I don't care for black walnuts and I am not sure where to take them. OK, I could google it, but I didn't want to!  So when winter arrived, the squirrels stayed and feasted.  By Spring there was not a walnut to be found, only the black hulls and shells, in piles around the yard. The varmints in the neighborhood. were very fat indeed. I figured if no one wants them, the squirrels will.

This summer, we had a huge bagworm infestation, in our town and surrounding area. 
Indeed every nut tree...in fact most trees of any kind, had the pests. They apparently, won't kill the tree,,,,but they will destroy the leaves and hinder the growth of the nuts. The leaves of the walnut trees won't turn the lovely yellow this year, looking so mellow in the afternoon light of Fall, this year. 

When we returned from our trip, the trees had very few leaves left and I could skip through the yard, if I wanted, without turning an ankle. Maybe, there are an eighth of the walnuts we would expect.  So my squirrels may have to go further afield, to eat this winter.  While I am not unhappy to lose the walnuts and the work involved in clearing them the squirrels will miss them. They will be looking for a different food source.....and I will have to keep them out of my bird feeders, or simply look the other way.

Mind the Gap - Pt 1 of the Great Adventure

And the stairs!

We weren't met at the airport by Go Ahead, because we choose to have extra days before the tour, so we were aware that we had to make our own way to the hotel.  Boy, Howdy! I made plans and some were good and others not so good.  We arrived at about 11:15 am, after the overnight flight.  All was good, I had made plans......

After clearing the passport part of arrival, we had to decide whether to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington or the Piccadilly Line to Bakerloo, to Waterloo station.  Since the Oyster card did not cover the Heathrow Express (I thought it did), we opted for the Underground, while it worked and we got to our destination, We would have done better on the train and a taxi to our destination. 

Next time in London, I will take more taxis  Less wear and tear on our tired bodies. We opted for less expense and adventure.....! Not the best choice.  I only remember the escalators on the underground,,,,,not the flights of stairs between different lines (with 1 suitcase and our carry ons in tow and Mr BC knees.) 

It was a really a short walk to our hotel from Waterloo Station but after the flight etc,  we were glad to be able to check into the hotel to nap, order room service and then sleep again.  The room was lovely, the bed was great, and room service was reasonable. This hotel had the best room and breakfast, of the whole trip.  This part of the trip was all my planning and so far...on day 2, I was regretting some of my planning decisions, but not the trip.

H10  London Waterloo Hotel from their website.

Next time: A good night rest and on to Westminster. 

That Alphabet Thing Meme - Sunday Stealing

Stolen from: Songs of innocence and of experience

A: Accent -- American....I was recognized as such, every where I traveled in Europe last week, and since I was so fashionably dressed and impeccably mannered, it must have been the accent.

B: Breakfast -- I had French Toast this morning, but usually I have breakfast cereal with blueberries or pomegranate seeds...there back.  I freeze them and add a handful...yum. 
C: Chore you hate -- Laundry...I have a stack of it that I have been working on since Wednesday.  I hate the folding and hanging. Toilets run a close second.

D: Dad's name -- Earl Dean, he was a good Oklahoma boy, transplanted to So CA after WWII. He went by Dean.  His brother's name was Buford.
E: Essential everyday item -- My computer.
F: Flavor ice cream -- Fruit flavored frozen yogurt.  Can't process dairy very well. 
G: Gold or silver -- I wear a lot of silver.
H: Hometown -- San Gabriel, CA
I: Insomnia -- Jet Lag
J: Job title -- Retired Banker, AVP
K: Kids -- Two grown daughters and two Grandsons.
M: Mother's birthplace -- San Gabriel, CA
N: Number of significant others -- Isn't one enough?

O: Overnight hospital stays -- About 10 nights, over my lifetime.  We use to stay in the hospital for longer time with our babies and tonsils. 
P: Phobia -- Extreme heights.

Q: Quick at -- Not much, any more.  My mind and body have really slowed down.
R: Religious affiliation -- Not really...I am mostly a Humanist.
S: Siblings -- It is just my brother and I.
T: Time you wake up -- About 5:30 am.
U: Unnatural hair colors -- I went red once...then I let the gray out.
V: Vegetable you refuse to eat -- Okra
W: Worst habit -- I am taking care of my procrastination issues:  just you wait and see.

 X: X-rays -- Last ones were dental, but several years ago, I had a broken ankle.
Y: Yummy -- Mint flavored M&M's.
Z: Zodiac sign -- Leo on the cusp of Cancer....what ever that means.

Where am I? Oh yeah, Back to Bed

Two happy couples at the British Museum last week.

We are back from the great adventure and here I am at 3:00 am  awake and tired at the same time.  It was a lot easier adjusting to the time in Europe, than to the time here at home. We had a great time and I will post some pictures as soon as I get them downloaded or uploaded or whatever.  Which will be around Thanksgiving at the rate I am moving.  

Some Thoughts:

• London and Rome were fantastic and we will go back to see more.
• Paris is overrated.  I can say I have been there but, I don't particularly want to go back. We would visit like to visit the Normandy Landings areas sometime, then we will be done with France.  Also there are no fat people in France.
• The tour group was great and we had some very enjoyable company.  Nikki, our tour director was the best. Our guide Joel was so funny, the way the British can be.....very dry.
• We are not as young as we once were and tire easily.  My feet still hurt and I don't do museums as well as I use to.
  
• The Tube is much better than the Paris Metro.  I didn't get lost there as I can understand the English spoken by the English better than English spoken by the French.  There is truth to the London Underground being the best in the world.
• Buckingham Palace would be a hard place, in which to live,  I would have to place covers over all the furniture.  I found a Corgi hair on my jacket, but it turns out that it was one of Gwennie's that I carried all the way to London.  I left all the ones I could find on me, there.

Counting the Days-Me, Not the Dogs

Well Mr BC is almost finished with his packing, Since we are going to be gone a while, he didn't wait until the last minute.  He was sure our one bag was already close to  50 lbs it was only 28 lbs.  We should be way under the 50lbs even with our carry-ons.  I can't estimate anything, except maybe what my groceries are going to cost each week. 

We have to take the doggies to their boarding.  I didn't like the one that we used when we went to Utah.  All the bedding came back stinking.  I had to throw away one of the beds.  I decided on this one when I went to visit and the washer and dryer was running with bedding they provided.  They are going to be together in a Suite, la de dah,  It even has a TV, we always run the TV in the house when we leave them alone for an hour or so, that decide it, also it is part of a veterinary hospital.  We will take them for a long walk at the park on the way to boarding them.  We are good about taking them with us, but not this time.

I still have a couple of days to clean the house.  Does anyone else clean house before vacation? I like to come back to a uncluttered house and clean sheets, especially when I have stayed in hotels. Although it is more like always wear clean underwear in case your hit by a car.

Another nice thing about Go Ahead Tours is a sweet gal named Kate called me from the Boston Headquarters to give us some last minute tips, and see if we had any questions.  I thought that was a nice bit of Customer Service.  One of the things on my List was to call them.

Sunday Stealing

Do you have a sensitive gag reflex? 
I did before I had kids. You have to develop courage to keep them clean and healthy!
Where are you the most ticklish? 
I'm not. 
What was the last situation to upset you? 
The Republican debate.  Just the news in general.
Have you ever had an online argument? 
No, everyone has has been kind in the comments and I don't call people out.  I do like that Facebook is going to have a dislike button. It seems odd to Like something, negative, in agreement.
Do you like to listen to music while filling out surveys (memes)? 
Usually the TV is on. 
How long do you spend on the phone each day, on average? 
Not much at all.  I have never been a telephone talker.  I say what I called for and hang up.  I like that I can screen most calls. 
Is anything in your hair right now, like gel, hairspray, etc.? 
Paul Mitchell Smoothing serum. It is magic on my wiry gray hairs. 
When was the last time you were up before the sun? Do you like wearing sunglasses? Why or why not? Today!  
I am mostly up before it is light and to bed early.  I wear sunglasses to protect my aging eyes if the sun is out. The doctor say it will help deter the growth of my cataracts.  
Last show you watched? 
I saw an episode of Friends and Law and Order this morning early. I didn't say I do anything productive when I get up early!
Next vacation you’re going on? 
Almost everyone knows.....We are leaving for Europe next week.  My packing is almost done.
Do you regret doing anything you’ve done this week?  
Mostly NOT done last week....I only walked the mall 3 times and neglected walking the dogs 2 times.  I walk, for myself 5 times a week....and walk the dogs every day, after, unless it rains or snows...a couple of times this summer it was too hot to go out. 
Last night you felt? 
Constipated.....well, you asked! 
What are you wearing right now? 
My nightgown from last night.  I am going to shower after Sunday Morning is over. 
Have you ever kissed underneath the stars? 
Sure! 
What are you doing now? 
THIS!  
What plans do you have for tonight? 
Visit DD2 while she is here doing some laundry. Go finish packing the suitcase...maybe take a few things out.  
What’s the very first thing you do when you wake up, other than breathe?
Make coffee, and have a little something to eat. Week days drive to the mall to walk or turn on my computer so I can get some things done the rest of the day.  
Do you like reading? 
Oh yes, I have several books going, on my Kindle. I am on book four of Game of Thrones, several city tour books on London, Paris and Rome and a book about Bonnie and Clyde, Mr BC suggested to me. l read that when GOT gets to me.
Do you ever think about stuff and start crying? No, I don't cry much.  
Have you ever kicked a vending machine? No. 
Do people consider you smart? I hope so.  
Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone? 
No, I like my tablet because I can check my mail....which may be the only thing I would wait for. 
Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you? 
Regrettably, not so much as I get older.  
How much money did you spend yesterday?  $00.00
Is there anything in your past that you’d like to try again?
Let me think about that.  Maybe, relax more like this guy and not answer so many questions next time.

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