Belgravia...

The spouses got a walking tour of Belgravia today. It started off with a detailed history and tour of Seaford House. It's amazing what people will do with money....

And then out the front door for about an hours tour of the local area, including Belgrave Square. We were told of the early development and plans for the once marshy outback of London, and how the builders modeled and changed the area. I finally learned what the difference between a Grade I and a Grade II listed building are!! We toured the area and were shown a lovely Edwardian built church, complete with Arts and Craft Movement tiling.

Andrew, our guide, also pointed out two olde time pubs, the Waitrose where Charles and Camilla shop and Margaret Thatcher's home.  We also toured Belgrave Square, which consists of 4 acres of treed paths and a small manicured lawn.

#74 Maggie's home, complete with police protection

Afterward, Sophie ( the Canadian) and I headed to the Nag's Head pub (one of the recommended) for lunch. Had a fabulous Shepherd's pie and a half pint. The publican was a bit old and very confused on who we were, even though he had just met us all. Another glorious walking tour in London.

Have you got a Cluedo?....

I sit here in the conservatory while it is beginning to rain. I love it in here on a rainy day. The drops hit the roof and it sounds like a bigger storm than it ever is. But I'm in good company - I have Col. Mustard and he has the candlestick....I'll let that sink in for a minute. Yes, it's true. We have our own Clue personality.

We couldn't resist. Both Hubby and I loved Clue as kids. Now over here it's call Cluedo (pronounced Clue dough). So I'm kept company- of course the rain has stopped now. And this is no surprize to me. I had washed down the front stairs leading to our flat this afternoon, cause the painters next door are finally done with the sanding and scraping. I thought "the minute I do this, it'll rain". Bingo!!
It's Fall here now. It arrived yesterday. Suddenly it was cold, windy and the crispness was in the air. Oddly, today Ive seen more shorts and short sleeved shirts than a few weeks back when it was in the upper 70's and folks were in Uggs and scarves.  They must be related to James....
Things are rolling along. Hubby is away overnight to Glasgow (darn him, that's where I want to go) for a Industry trip. He's visiting the shipyard where the Brits are building their new "carrier". So I'm here to hold down the fort.  That means a trip to the pub tonight!!
The Girls are coming over in a few weeks, and I'm getting the list of things to do and see ready. There are so many options, I cant remember them all. I'll let them pick and chose. otherwise it would be the historical tour of London. And I know better than that. It will be more like the shopping extravaganza tour for them. We will have back to back visitors for about three weeks. Hope I make it. I want to try for Amsterdam in early December before the next wave of guests come.
Point of this, book your places now. One week in March?April is already gone.

Little America....

It's really hard to write this. Not that anything has happened, rather I have my first head cold of the season. I just need to state this here and now, cause I'm not sure I'm thinking clearly and there'd is no telling what this will turn out like...the cold came on rather suddenly two days ago after I cleaned the house. So I naturally assumed I breathed too many fumes - plus they are scrapping paint next door. Surely my sore throat must be due to that. But by nightfall, it was obvious. Mr Healthy began to sniff and snort too. So when we got up the next morning, we both looked like death warmed up.
But no rest for the wicked. We had plans!! We had bought train tickets, and by gum we're heading north to RAF Lkenheath, to visit Little America! Ok. What this really means is the American air force has a base there and thus a commissary and exchange. When we were here last time, it was a three hour drive there, so we only went once. I remember it being a Mecca of Americanism. But this time, it seemed smaller and less grand. I guess I'm just not adjusted yet, or since therre is so much American stuff in London, the withdrawals are not as bad. (seriously, I think I can get anything at our local huge Whole Foods)
The other American on course has his family up at Lakenehath. This gave us a nice place to stay. Our goal was to get up by train, shop the exchange and commissary, load up on Thanksgiving supplies and head back. I had made a list of items to look out for. The exchange yielded only three of the ten things I wanted. No loss though. Do I really need half this stuff??.
Commissary worked out well. We knew we had to keep it to a minimum. After all, we're hauling this back the two hours via train. The only tricky part was it took us a good 20 minutes to locate the cranberry sauce. But we prevailed and now are fully ready for the big day in November. We'll get a turkey breast locally, as it needs to be small enough to fit into out counter top oven.
We're now jammied up and cooking a pot roast in the pressure cooker. Mmmmm, Sunday roast. Click on the Telly, eat some meat and two veg. Life is good.

Another Grand Day out.......

Since today nothing was on "the books", I thought I'd do some exploring before the "girl's" come over. I hopped on the number 9 bus toward Trafalgar Square and after tootling down Piccadilly, I arrived. Well heck, since I'm here, I might as well pop into the National Portrait Gallery. After all, it's free, as are most museums in London. I figured I look around a bit, while over an hour later I decided it was time to head out. Did I see everything? No. But I can always come back soon.

The square was full of people, now that the pigeons are gone. Kind of sad really. I still have the photo from years ago - me covered in pigeons. The official Olympic count down clock is there currently, telling everyone just how long till things really get crazy. Piccadilly Circus is scaffold-ed as much of the city is- getting ready for the influx of people from all over the planet.

I had thought about going north to Camden Town, since I was half the way there. Having previously looked up the bus number, I found the stop for the #29 around the square. Hopping on, I now know that "bendy" buses let people on at any door. Good to know. There are the oyster card readers throughout so you can scan your trip.
Just yesterday Dan had mentioned not trying to skive on the buses. Yeah, like I would! I was a good girl and did scan my card. About a mile down the road, at the next stop, the doors opened and the ride monitors hopped on, not letting anyone get off before they could check their cards. They caught quite a few people skiving. Hee Hee I had to laugh. Really, you couldn't spend £1.60 to rider? Well now you have a £50 fine. Another fine mess.....
I got off at Camden Town since big sis recommended it. It was ok. I expected more craziness and mod-ness, but I'm sure if I spent more time I could have found it. Roamed up the street and found Camden Market, an open air stall market. I may have to take some of you there for the shopping experience. Think, TJ but with English speaking vendors who are hawking mostly inexpensive mod clothing.

Well the time was getting away and since I left no note at home for hubby, I figured I'd tube it back. Wow, one gets around quickly by tube, but the view really sucks!!

Garden Flat - The uncut video

Several of you have asked for photo's of the house, and yet I decided that I didn't want to do that.  So instead, we have a Hubby Production entitled, "The Garden Flat" so that you can see where we live and decide if you really want to go through the effort of flying across "the pond" to visit.
 

Once again, this video is brought to you courtesy of Hubby Productions, no rights reserved.  Do not pass "Go". Do not collect $200......

To the Tower!!

We're getting out and about again on the weekends, which is nice. This is day four of 80 degree weather here in London town. And it looks like two more till it's back in the 60's. We took the opportunity, as much of London did, to get out and do things. So off to the Tower of London. Mike had never been - I had gone with the boys 13 years ago. Of course not much had changed!! It's defiantly worth the tour, and if any of you come over, we'll go. You get to see the crown jewels as well.
This last Thursday, we had a seminar dinner at Seaford House. Rear Admiral Willams hosted the evening, and it was a wonderful way to meet student and their spouses. Had some wine and curry, followed by dessert (or in my case fruit. Very accommodating) Of course, I was over dressed for the evening. Maybe that's my "thing"? The overdone American!