Pithy and Forthright

My internal clock is out of whack. Arrived back in LA at 2 something PM on Monday. Slept most of yesterday. That's good and bad as I need the rest but I also need to get back on California time. Awoke at 2am this morning. Not good. Great for the pre dawn sojourn with the hound as noted in the pic above. Now it's 7am. Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy.

Might I just say a few things before I climb back into bed. First, I need to win the lotto, discover buried treasure, marry a sugar daddy or write a hit show. I want to live in London and those are the only ways I'm going to achieve that dream. Second, customs management at LAX is the worse! Plenty of TSA folks to check your passports to let you in to claim your luggage but only 4, count them 4 agents, to check your paperwork once you've gotten your luggage and wish to exit. 6 planes landed at the same time and the lines of people circled the interior facility 3 times. Insane. The best part was when I finally got to the customs agent. He saw I'd visited Turkey and London and unbelievably thought

I was declaring that I was bringing turkey into the country. NO JOKE!! When I said, "Istanbul," he said, in broken English, "Where?" I said, "Istanbul, Turkey, the country, Turkey!" He asked, "No Turkey???" I replied, "No Turkey," and I was allowed back into the USA. Surreal.

Third, Smart wool socks are the best thing going. Fourth, The Oyster Card is brilliant. Fifth, Airborne is pure magic. Sixth, take a cell phone. Oh and traveling, making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and a willingness to explore make me happy, happy, happy.

Here are some snaps of this past week in London with my dear friend Pat. His first visit so I acted as his guide. Great fun.

Just in case you don't know where people are coming from!

A two suitcase man.

Paddington Station via the Heathrow Express

He brought the Florida Sunshine with him

First pint, Red Lion on Whitehall

Art shot London Underground

Parliament

Holmes welcomes Pat to Baker Street

Newer version of the traditional red, blue and white Underground symbol.

Hotel Metropole. A Hilton.

Some of the surrounding buildings.

Another shot in the Underground.

Baby swans.

Somewhere in the Hampstead Heath

Nymph

Oh for gawd sake's get the man a shirt!

Not keen on the boots!

Pub mates in Highgate.

Tower of London straight ahead.

I'm still in shock. Last time I was a senior was 1969.

Guy Fawkes is not having a good day.

Nope. Story doesn't have a happy ending either.

Enough said.

They Call me "Henry the eighth by the Grace of God, King of England, France, Ireland, Defender of the Earth and of the Church of England and also of Ireland in Earth Supreme Head."

And I get a cool horse.

I am King Charles 1 and I am a runt.

Waiting in line to see the Family Jewels.

Speaking of family jewels. Why is he laughing?

All smiles before my faceplant on the Tower Bridge pavement.

City Hall

Art shot and then I looked up to see...

Graham Norton pass by. Really, it's Graham Norton.

After a few pints to ease the pain of my fall, as well as attending the Tower's Ceremony of the Keys, (very cool by the way) we walked to the dock to view Tower Bridge at night.

Yes we took pictures walking across but I liked this better.

Underpass art near Borough Market

So civilized.

Pat ordering

Lamb and sausage....Yum!

Focused on her conversation

British humor.

The Old Globe.

St. Paul's and the Millenium Bridge

Tate Modern

Walking across the Thames via the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's.

To get away with not paying the outrageous 15 pounds entry fee we participated in the lovely Evensong at St Paul's. Choir was superb and I know Pat prayed for my soul. Such a good friend.

They don't allow photos in St. Paul's but as we left Evensong I sinned. That's why Pat prays for me.

Ahem and amen

So LOST.

Follows me everywhere.

By the Inns of the Court Charles Dickens did something.

Nell Gwynne Pub. Thanks Peggy.

Iron supplement in a glass. Medicinal off course.

and we walked and walked and walked

Natural History Museum

Perfect spot to visit the loo and wander.

Expensive chocolate.

Harrod's

I don't think so.

Harrod's

You can take pics of the Globe interior before the performance so this is the warm up band as the audience arrives for Much Ado About Nothing. Seats were superb as was the play!!

Remember these kids?

The flat where we stayed for the last 4 days.

Our host Clair was simply the best .

Staying here was brilliant. It will be my stop each time I'm in London!!!

The afternoon dance at Old Spittafield's Market

Enjoying the moments.

In full swing.

Painted eyebrows and all, she was the belle of the ball.

Most definitely a Wagamama!!!

Who Moi?!?

Outside Brick Lane

Too cool for school

More Brick Lane Environment

Casting a shadow.

Always colorful

While touring Westminster Abby we joined a group for prayer. Turns out where we were seated, St. Edward's Chapel, which is directly behind the High Alter, was where they signed their marriage documents.

BTW, before anyone wonders why there are many prayer moments on this trip and know what a Pagan Baby I am...it's because Pat's a believer. Given all he's gone through the past year I can respect that. Full disclosure will also establish that by joining in these brief sessions you are often able to visit spots usually off limits to visitors.

When William and I visited London we slipped into an Abby side door at the behest of the pastor. Had no idea what we were in for. Turns out it was evensong. There were 20 of us, a full choir and 25 minutes of song and prayer. It was fabulous!

Then we wandered around the abby for 15 minutes all to ourselves. Kismet!

Art shot

Old and new

Today we were scheduled to take the Stonehenge hike. My temporary insanity screwed that up so we initiated a Plan B and started the day early

at the London Eye. So early it wasn't running yet. Thus we crossed

the bridge so Pat could take a picture of his feet with the wheel in the background. My feet snaps have inspired others. I'm humbled.

Discovered the very interesting Battle of Britain Memorial

Here we go. We were the first pod. No crowds.

Up, up and away

Pod mates. English. Visiting and enjoying this unique look of London.

I like the B and W setting on my camera. Don't let the unsmiling face fool you!

Pat either praying for me again or taking a picture.

Artsy fartsy fun.

"I'm a teen and I'll be damned if I am going to show Dad I'm having fun."

Barcelona fans. Manchester United and Barcelona were playing that night so we saw and heard lots of Barcelona fans throughout the day.

Man U fans chose not to wear colors but to sing loudly in the confines of the tube trains. To the dismay and annoyance of many. Man U lost. 3-1. They weren't making noise anywhere the next day. The Spainards wore their colors proudly and were spotted everywhere.