Ilee & I on the London Eye

  

We arrived in London with such excitement.  We couldn’t wait to get off the plane…..but no.  One of those, why isn’t this line moving. What’s going on? Moments.  Anyone who knows me well can attest, I will stick my nose into it and find out “what’s goin’ on”?  The rumors flowed back to us in the very back of coach that the skybridge was broken and they were getting an engineer out to fix it.  We had to wait.  I had images of that plane years ago that was stuck on the tarmac for over 6 hours.  I would have organized a revolt.  I started planning.  Then good news came across the loud-speaker.  They would be using the back exit with an outside stair cart then bus us over to the terminal.  This sounded great.  We would have a little adventure at Heathrow and get to be one of the first off, as we were seated in the back. We would be able to see the underbelly of the airport, sure, lets do it.  Just get me off this plane, it has been 8 hours already.  10 minutes later another announcement.  We fixed the skybridge and will be de-planing from the front.  I think first class complained and insisted that they arrive before us underlings.     

I am so glad that my friend Barb ordered me a mini-cab to take us to her home.  We would have long missed the last tube train out of Heathrow.  When Ilee and I rounded the last corner after a 26.7 mile marathon walk throught the airport.  We saw a nice gentleman holding a sign “LISA WAGNG”.  OK, close enough, when he walked us out to the Mercedes.  Brand new, large and sporty.  Mercedes EH class for extra hot.  I began to re-think the WAGNG part.  “Is this for me??”  “Really???” Maybe there is a Lisa Wagng walking around Heathrow looking for her ride, lost and confused and a man holding a LISA WAGNER sign wondering what happen to me.  So I asked if he had the address that we were going to.  “Yes”  and guess what, it was the right one.  Yes, this incredible car was for me.  WOW, and Michael new how to handle this car well.  It was great fun, I only wish I was driving.  After about an hour we arrived at Barb and Steven’s home in Islington in North London.  It was lovely.  A great combination of comfortable and cool.  Barb & Steven are the best.  Funny, charming, entertaining and so hospitable to taking in us adventuring Napervillians.  We stayed up until 3:30am London time (9:30pm Chicago time) talking and drinking incredible wine; a fun night.  I could not have felt more welcomed.     

The next morning I woke all a buzz about the day ahead.  We headed out to the tube station, about a 10 minute walk through a very quaint neighborhood.  Got our underground/tube day pass and headed to central London.    

Big Ben

  

When we arrived in Central London the weather wasn’t cooperating.  Typical London I hear.  Thank you Laura for the umbrella is was a life saver.  It felt a little like my childhood in the Pacific Northwest.  Blustery.  We decided to go to the London Eye first to get a birds eye perpective, before it clouded up to much.  The London Eye was very cool, except Ilee kept reminding me not to call it the “eye in the sky”  I must have called it this 4-5 times.   Ilee was getting frustrated with me.    It just wouldn’t sink in that it was the London Eye…. whatever?     

Westminster Abbey    

After the Eye we walked over to Big Ben, the weather was hell.  Rain coming down in buckets and blowing sideways.  We arrived at Westminster Abbey very wet and cold..  I’m surprised they took us in.  We must have looked like drowned rats. Westminster Abbey was glorious.  We got the audio tour and listen to the history of this 1000 year old abbey.     

This Abbey is permanent resting place for many historical figures. Kings and queens, friends and foe, poets & artists.  Many have their likeness carved out on top of their tombs.  Sleeping statues resting in peace for eternity.  Their faces molded from their death masks, for that perfect likeness.  Cool & creepy.     

At times, especially in the cloisters (courtyard, sort of)  I felt like I was on a movie set for Harry Potter.  It felt very regal, royal and slightly sinister.  Many of these permanent residences weren’t of the highest caliper.  Many killed one another, by poisoning, beheading and other creative tortures.  Harry Potter…. the scary true stories.  Nightmares for Ilee tonight.   We were at the abbey for several hours, it was fascinating.     

Hurry, Mom it smells like pee

  

Adjusting to the time difference didn’t hit me right off.  It hit about 5pm the on our London adventure.  We had enough energy to eat dinner and then head back to the house for an early evening.  We dragged ourselves to the closest Piccadilly line train and headed back.  A great day was had (saying it with and English accent)    

Tomorrow morning we are scheduled to take the Eurostar/channel tunnel train aka the Chunnel under the  English Channel essentially under the ocean to my Paris.  Paris is calling for me, my lover and friend. I can’t wait to show Ilee this enchanted place.    

3 more days in London at the end of the trip.

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