There are still many things about our time in Spain, Morocco and Portugal that I haven't noted.
I'll try to get up to date with London first.
Monday evening - getting to Marlin Aparments, Queen St, London City.
We arrived London City Airport (no we hadn't heard of it before either) on Monday night and moved through customs so easily - all those with British or EU passports were in a queue- but for we foreigners it was a almost like a fast drive through at McDonalds. (Not that I've done this). The young lady at Customs was so pleasant and friendly, it was such a shock!
Off we went with our Oyster cards handy to the DLR ( light rail) for our trip into London city. We had to change to the tube and then another change to our line and apartment near St Paul's. We felt pretty good and were secretly pleased with ourselves for managing our large suitcases on the very long escalators in the tube stations. Then we had to change lines. No big deal. We knew how to do this. There was just a little issue. The only way to get to the other line was to go up and then down on two lots of stairs with at least 20 steps in 2 lots of 2 - and we had our huge suitcases. All we could do was drag or pull. Each time, someone came and offered to help me ( but poor J was left to struggle by himself and I thought he was going to have heart failure ). I felt so grateful but also embarrassed by the offers as the Good Samaritans caused them to elicit responses such as "bloody hell!" when they felt the weight of the suitcase.
When we got on the tube after the first lots of stairs, I got a giggling fit and this caused a bit of mirth and bemused looks. Then when we finally emerged from the tube station there was someone preaching "Repent to the Lord!" ( We didn't ).
We then walked on to find our apartment near St Paul's. When we checked in, we were advised that the lift to our floor was temporarily out of order and we'd have to go to the floor above or below. What the heck! We were experts at stairs and dragging and pulling suitcases.
We then walked on to find our apartment near St Paul's. When we checked in, we were advised that the lift to our floor was temporarily out of order and we'd have to go to the floor above or below. What the heck! We were experts at stairs and dragging and pulling suitcases.
Good thing: the wine in the suitcase did not break and we were able to celebrate our arrival in London with our Spanish wine. We felt we had earned the drink or two!
Tuesday 24 Sept
It is so lovely to see Emma again - and to have a 'local' as our personal guide.
We went to a number of places via bus and tube on the usual tourist map - mainly where J wanted to revisit after 43 years. It was all good to see - particularly as we pleased ourselves when and wher we went.
At Trafalagar Square, I tried to climb on the back of a lion but couldn't quite make it. I needed a step ladder. I didn't think it was quite fair that there were these young bucks who just bounded up in two jumps and were up there at the top.
In the afternoon we went on our tour of the Houses of Parliament which was far better than what I had imagined. Ther are so many treasures in there - equivalent to palaces and churches we have already seen. It was so intresting and we're so glad Emma suggested it.
For dinner, we went to a very "in" place that I had by chance noticed as we were walking to our apartment on Monday night called "Burger and Lobster". Apart from the drinks, there's only 3 items on the menu - meat burger, lobster roll or half a lobster. All the same price and all served with chips and salad. We had one of each and, after a walk on the Southwark bridge ( near our aparment that is in the financial area), it was a perfect way to finish the day.
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