It’s Friday and this week’s sign comes from the tunnel connecting terminal 1 at O”Hare International Airport to the C gates. It was at the bottom of the escalator after my wife and I descended. Yes, we fly for LOVE.
There was another at Pass It On billboard at the opposite end of the tunnel, buy I was already on the up escalator when I noticed it.
Our flight left a bit late, but we arrived on time Wednesday morning.
Other than the hiccup of losing my credit card in the taxi when we arrived at the hotel and then being re-united hours later when Roy came back to the hotel and returned my credit card our first two days in London have been great.
Wednesday
I remember traveling from the states to Europe when I was young. My dad always told me no naps, just do things and then go to bed early. Once we had the credit card sorted out, we were on the move.
We did mostly tourist stuff. The Tower of London and a boat ride on the Thames back to Westminster and the tube back to our hotel was what was on the itinerary for the day and dinner at Dishoom.
We started at the Underground station in South Kensington near our hotel.
Fifty years ago, when I was here with my stepmother, Juliana she took us to the Tower of London. She was so patient with us. I can’t imagine what it might have been like for her; going from no kids to having three boys aged 13-12-10. I know we weren’t an easy group, but she handled us like a pro. We were blessed to have her.
When my wife and I were planning she asked me what I ‘wanted’ to see and the Tower of London and a picture with one of the Yeoman Warders as on my list.
And I wanted the see the poppy exhibit. It was beautiful.
We finished with dinner at Dishoom, an amazing Indian restaurant my wife has raved about since her trip with her sister almost ten years ago. It was delicious.
Once we go home, I followed my dad’s advice. I was out.
Thursday
We had breakfast at the hotel and planned our day. We decided to visit the Westminster are and take in the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, then walk to Buckingham Palace. We figured we would decide what was next, later.
We arrived a little bit past half past nine, but the sundial was off due to daily savings time. Nature knows the time, always.
Westminster was bustling with activity and we walked with the crowd to see Parliament and Big Ben, then set out to visit the Westminster Cathedral. But Big Ben must be taken in from afar.
Afterwards, we walked to the Buxton Memorial Fountain. But alas it was closed for renovations. However, we found a lovely bench along the Thames in the shade and discovered a New World import or hybrid. The leaves are similar to the maple and the tree had a spiny pod dangling from the branches. We were curious so we searched it on the internet. The source of the tree is unknown, but botanists believe it is a cross between the Oriental Plane and the American Sycamore and soured by the great Colombian Exchange. Click here to read more!
The London Plane trees provided lovely shade for us the entire afternoon.
We decided to forgo a walk and took a bus, my first ever trip on a double decker bus – we rode up top. However, up top is quite warm and there is little air flow on a warm summer day – temperatures in the late morning were already hovering in the upper 80d (30C+).
We arrived closer to Buckingham Palace and began walking toward the palace until we came to Royal Mews. My wife decided she wanted to go in and I passed and planted myself in the shade opposite the Royal Mews. It was fun people watching while she enjoyed the tour. We both enjoyed our time!
We were already very close to the palace and walked toward the Queen Victoria Memorial and fountain, alas it too was turned off.
It was lovely to walk around the in the sunshine and we found a lovely spot in the shade before I snapped an ‘Susie’ before we headed off on our next stop – shoe shopping.
The roads were clogged and most of our trip was to the shoe shop, by we walked along a tree-lined road – yes, London Plane trees provided shade for entirety of our walk.
It took the two of us a while to arrive at the shoe store via bus and foot.
After the shoe store, my wife took me to a a place she and her sister had eaten for a late afternoon bite. It was delicious.
After exploring and shopping (me patiently waiting) we were spent and returned to the hotel to regroup.
It was an easy ride home, though I panicked at one stop and thought i had misread the map, but I didn’t. London transport is as easy as I remember it.
After re-grouping and freshening up, we ventured out for a late night bite to eat, sorry no photos.
Yes, we fly for LOVE!
It’s Friday and our last full day in London. Today is going to be an amazing day, possibly a million and six times better than yesterday so, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, walking back in time in the present, and remembering why I am here.
Why do you fly?
Thank you. I agree, I have shared that photo with my sixth graders at the beginning of every school year since I re-discovered it when I started blogging. There is so much to see in London and for that matter, anywhere you go, you simply have to be curious and look around. Thank you for stopping by.
Wow… What a fabulous photo tour of London! We visited there almost 10 years ago. Precious photo of 1975!
Fifty years ago, I was flying to visit my dad after my parents’ divorce. Now I don’t fly much, but my husband and I take road trips often, for love.
I remember the trips I took to visit my dad after the divorce, I didn’t figure things out until long after I was an adult. Now, most of the trips I take are by car, this is my first trip to Europe since 2010, and likely my last. I am enjoying it, but there is so much to see and sometimes I have to give myself permission to slow down. Tomorrow we travel to the north of Paris to visit where my father’s remains lay and sprinkle the cremations of my stepmother with dad and her husband of thirty-four years. Thank you for stopping in and keep making those rowing days count!
Wow, wow, wow, Clay. I love the picture with the Yeoman Warders now and then. And the sign of the week is so good! Love all that you’ve squeezed into your visit so far. Amazing – but not surprising since you know how to make the days count!
Thank you Wynne! I was hoping to find a sign here and publish, but when I saw it, I knew. It’s amazing what you can squeeze in on vacation. Enjoy yours, too.
Goodness, you packed a lot in, and doubtless had horrendous crowds to contend with, especially at the Tower. So glad you mnaged to see the things you aied to see, and have had a really positive set of experiences. Onwards and upwards!
Thank you Margaret – we paid for it Friday! We had a less aggressive Friday with a visit to a gallery than a visit to the restaurant and nibbles in a shady park. We finished the day with dinner at a neighborhood pub and a pint or two.
How awfully British! Well done.
Such a treat to read your post this morning, Clay! As Dawn said – thanks for taking us along! Love the photo from 1975. How is it possible that it was 50 years ago?
Thank you! Time flies, doesn’t it. There are days when I don’t feel any older than I was in that photo!
I hear you!
Thank you for bringing us along! What a fun place and the food looks amazing.
You are welcome. We fly for LOVE.