365-8 | Peaches Prattlings

{April 4, 2024} London Day 6: Crown Jewels, The Thames, Chinatown, Six!

We start with an 8am alarm, that’s not too bad, we woke up with the sun, which is better than the alarm, but the alarm kept us honest!

Start with breakfast, we gave ourselves two hours to get breakfast and get an Uber to where we were going. First stop of the day…The Tower of London! We had 1030am ticket times and we got there at 1022am, walked right up and in, it was perfect!

The first thing we did was speak to a yomen of the guard who showed us, on the map, where all the accessable and non-accessable points were, thank you very much!

We decided to start with the Crown Jewels, where else should we start! Luckily, the queue to get in was not long, still a lot of people in walking around, but wow! Shiny, blingy, shiny, and more blingy! If you haven’t seen them, go! Unfortunately, no photos at all, not even of the entrance sign! sigh…

There was one cool feature, it was a moving sidewalk near the last set of crown jewels, wish there were moving sidewalks near all the exhibits, then you might be able to see them all!

When we were finished, we went to wander around the grounds to see what else we could see and, while taking a picture, we noticed that Miss A was missing part of her hair bob concoction, the skull and rose, uh oh. So, they walked down the hill to retrace their steps and I went into where the crown jewels were and spoke to the guard at the entrance. He radioed and guess what…someone found it! See David, the guard with the hair bob! How cool!

We walked around, went to the new cafe, had a snack, then wandered around some more, headed to the gift shop and out to Tower Bridge. We took some photos and headed towards the Tower Cruises, we got a one-way trip to Westminster and The London Eye area. While we waited we chatted with a nice couple from Orlando who were here following a band.

It was starting to rain, so we were glad for the cover, then on the boat, it was a double decker, we were inside, I got us some tea and then the rain came down heavy and all the people from upstairs came downstairs, they weren’t feeling sitting in the rain I guess!

The captain was funny as we traveled he told us some history and funny stories, I’m sure some of it was to see if we were paying attention!

We docked and began walking in the rain, it’s London, of course it’s going to rain! We walked towards Trafalgar Square, then through the West End to Chinatown. It was still a little early, but we had to be at the theatre at 730, why not wander through Chinatown and see if maybe we get a very late lunch/very early dinner, it was about 430 when we got to Chinatown and we began to wander.

It’s such a cool neighborhood, lots of people, shops, restaurants, and the entrances and lanterns let you know where you are. There was street performers to enjoy, sights to take in, and restaurant after restaurant after restaurant to tempt you!

We decided on China Modern, it had a great selection and was relatively empty when we got there! It got even better, they had a healthy vegan section for me! Except for most of the dishes having chili peppers indicating spicy…I was set!

I ended up getting stir fried mock chicken with ginger and spring onion and veggie dumplings, the food was very appealing and tasty, I was set! I ate more than I normally to, but it was good and apparently we were hungry!

After eating, we ventured into Chinatown, stopping at Chinatown Bakery, which reminded me of the place that JCT takes me when I visit to get all sorts of Chinese treats! I was looking for Chinese almond cookies, but no one carried them, sigh…but I did get a few red bean bun items, so very excited to eat them on my flight home!

We stopped to hear a musician who was from Sweden, he was great, he put his own spin on Whitney Houston, Coldplay, and ABBA, we were set! We sat and listened to him for his last three songs, then moved on to wander through Chinatown some more.

Eventually, it started raining again, and we still had about an hour before we needed to get to the theater, and we were only about a 10 minute walk, if that… so, we went into Paul, a patisserie chain, which I love when I’m over here. They actually have a few locations in the states, it’s fun, but I prefer it over here!

We had some tea and just sat to enjoy the warm and dry, Miss A decided to take a nap on SDL, and we spoke with a family from Sweden sitting next to us, who had the same idea, since they were going to see Back to the Future, which it turns out was next to the theater we were going to.

About 715p, we got motivated and walked to the theater, they let us in a side entrance, then made a chair lift to lower Miss A and her chair to the stalls, where we were sitting! It was so cool! The taxi driver with the ramp and now the theatre with the list, we were spoiled!

Now…we’re seeing Six, the hit musical about the six wives of Henry VIII. This is the third time I’ve seen the show, first time in Boston in 2022 with Dad, LaLa, GES, and MGS. The second time in St Louis with PSM, and now, here in London with SDL and Miss A! We tried to go in NYC last summer but it was sold out.

It’s not a huge theater, but it was cozy and the accoustics were great! I sat in the middle of a row near SDL and Miss A, they were at the end of their aisle in accessable seating. The best part…I could hear Miss A when she started singing and really enjoying the show, it was awesome! I knew they would love it!

When the show was over, we grabbed a taxi, ramp out to roll Miss A’s chair right into the taxi, got to the hotel, they took showers and have gone to bed and I stayed up to talk to you!

Another fun and jam packed day! We’ve gone to almost all of the places on our list, at least the highlighted ones, some are just a would be nice if we could do it, the rest, we’re getting them all!

Tomorrow is another jam-packed day, or I know it will be the way we do it! So…won’t you join me tomorrow! For now, I’ll say fare thee well! G’night!

{April 3, 2024} London Day 5: Covent Garden, Transportation Museum, Picadilly Circus, Soho, oh my!

What a day! It was a very nice start to the day, no alarm! We got up liesurely, Miss A kept trying to dig herself deeper into the bed, and under the covers, we totally get that feeling!

Got up, dressed, and headed to breakfast. Muffin for Miss A, waffles for SDL, and my usual…hard boiled egg on multi-grain baguette, y u m! And a cup of tea with sugar cubes, of course!

Back to the room to get our stuff to get out to greet the day. We went down to the lobby, called for an Uber, and headed to Covent Garden. The driver dropped us off, we got out and started to wander. It’s a beautiful area, classic architecture, as always, beautiful walkways with shops set in, something to see around every corner, nook, and cranny!

When we got into the center courtyard, well, even before we got there, we could hear the musicians, one cello, and four violinists, how wonderful! Later, there was an opera singer, and later, there were two violinists playing the opening overture from Barber of Seville, my favorite opera.

We walked, explored, looked, touched, admired, bought a few things here and there. Then we went to the Transportation Museum, that was a lot of fun, and full of wee tots! Since it’s a charity, it’s one of the only museums not free in the UK, goes to a good cause, we’re good with that!

After the transportation musem it was time for some lunch, we walked around and found someone to help us with the lift, elevator, to get to the lower level and we went to the Punch and Judy pub, a very nice establishment, very friendly staff, warm, and cozy place to spend some time. I had pea and mint soup, it was quite good, SDL had fish & chips and Miss A had some fish & chips, peas, and sweat peas, there was sticky toffee pudding for dessert, but she wasn’t interested. Truth be told, it wasn’t very good, I think some of the toffee they made was burnt, oh well.

Back outside, we walked around a little more and headed towards Picadilly Circus. On the way, we stopped in a theater, I’ll tell you more about the theater tomorrow, and we got tickets to see Six, the musical about the wives of Henry VIII, I can’t wait! i saw it in Boston with MGS, GES, my dad and Lala, can’t wait for SDL and Miss A to see it, Miss A is going to love it, it’s a 90 minute concert basically!

We continued on to Picadilly Circus to see all the pagentry! The sights, sounds, people, movement, nothing stands still! Sometimes reminds me of Times Square in NYC! We stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe store, of course! I didn’t buy anything because I got GC’s pin at the other location and I got him one at this store when I was here two years ago.

We ventured out of Picadilly towards Soho, which was another thing on our list. It’s beautiful, lots of shops and pubs and people, so much to look at. We were taking photos, someone offered to take ours and then we asked for food recommendations and they pointed us towards Kingly Court.

This was lovely! It’s outdoors with canvas covers at the roof, so you could sit outside comfortably. There were trees in the center, benches and tables for different restuarants, with heat lamps to keep you warm while you sat outside, since the seating was limited in some of the restaurants. There were only restaurants in the Kingly Court, all on the permiter at each level. It really was lovely.

We ended up at Paradiso Burger & Cocktail Bar. Most people were sitting downstairs, but they had room for us upstairs, where the kitchen happened to be. It was kind of nice, we had the place to ourselves. I had a viking vegan burger, no idea why they called it that! SDL had a chicken sandwich, and Miss A had a sweet potato with some butter and magnos, then for dessert, avocado and mangos, not a bad meal overall!

Back out onto the road, wandering around Soho, the sights, sounds, people, feeling, experiences, and finally back onto a main drag to get an Uber back to the hotel, we were done!

Miss A and SDL went down to the pool, and I stayed behind to talk to you! I’m so glad I did, so much to share with you!

Tomorrow is a new day, the alarm is set, not as early as yesterday, but we’re going to see he crown jewels, gotta be up and ready to go in case one happen to land on our heads, gotta look our best!

Until then…g’night!

{April 1, 2024} London Day 3: Changing of the Guard! Here we come!

It’s a new day, day 3 and we have lots to do! First, I want to take you on a tour of the restaurant in the hotel, it’s fun!

It’s a nice restaurant, wide, open, and inviting, if that makes sense. They have a few walls with animal heads, but just wait…the animal heads are all made of newsprint! Most likely paper mache on the outside, if you look closely, you can see headlines and typeset in the ears and on the face, horns, etc. It is very clever, if you take the time to look at it all!

The food presentation is nice, they have everything you might want or need for breakfast, pre-made scrambled eggs, eggs made to order, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, think full english breakfast, then there are pancakes and waffles made to order, breads, cheeses, yogurts, fruit, breakfast cereals, muffins, coffee, tea, juices, you name it, they probably have it!

It was time to head out and say cherrio to London, and btw…they don’t say that, just in the movies, and if they do, I haven’t heard it!

They do say love at the end of every sentence, and I have to tell you, I like it, it doesn’t bother me, like in the south when someone , who I don’t know, calls me hun, or sweetie, it’s syrupy sweet and I’m not a fan! But call me love, it works, it’s just part of their vernacular. Ooh, I love that word!

We’re off…we got an Uber to Green Park, we were meeting our tour guide by the Constance Fund Fountain of Diana, isn’t she stunning!? I could just imagine, when it’s summer and the water is flowing.

There were so many tour groups meeting there, we finally found our guide, Alan, who was fabulous, by the way! I always thought if I was retired or we were living somewhere for PSM’s job and I couldn’t work for whatever reason, I would get a job as a tour guide, I would love it! One of these days I’ll tell you about a tour business…shhh…

We started walking, and Alan was very knowledgeable, giving us all sorts of tidbits and history and also very conscious of where the steps would be that we would need to get Miss A’s chair over. For the whole tour, everyone in the group was very aware and helpful where we were and if we had to pull the chair over something.

We started off, our first stop was by this amazing statue, across from the guards station on Marlborough Road, at St James Palace. We were waiting for the band to come out, we had such a great vantage point! While we waited, Alan gave us lots of great information, like there were only 2 guards there, that meant the king was not there. Interesting!

I love that I got Alan’s audio! He was telling us that when you look at their hats, the higher the hat, the higher the rank. There was an inspection first, I hope they pass!

Sorry it was slightly shaky, I was holding my hand up above my head, harder to keep it steady, everyone was so much taller than me!

Alan was trying to guess what they would play, would it be something serious or something light hearted. These are the Scottish guards, apparently they passed muster, here comes the band. Do you recognize the song?

Did it make you think of Shrek?!

We hated to leave the band, they were so very talented and I love that song! But…if we didn’t leave, we wouldn’t have the fabulous spot we did for the next phase of the tour and changing of the guard! [a lot of really cool background in that link!]

Next stop…right near Clarence House, where King Charles and Queen Camilla reside. We watched and listened as the band marched and played down the road and then the Horse Guards came, cool fact, they have female guards now! Women first joined the regiment in 2018, and for Queen Elizabeth‘s Platinum Jubilee, it was the first time female members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment participated! Go girl power!

As we waited for the guards, we learned a few things. King Charles does not want to live in Buckingham Palace, understandable, with 775 rooms…it’s more of an office, so that’s why he and Queen Camilla are taking up residence at Clarence House, which only has 5 bedrooms, a little more manageable, which, was where William, the Prince of Wales had their residence, but since the King and Queen are there they’ve moved to Kensington Palace.

Since there were only two guards, that meant that the king was not in residence, if he was, there would be more. Also…the reason they walk back and forth, about every 10 minutes, is because it was a rule set down by Queen Victoria, if they are walking back and forth, they are proving they are not drinking or gambling! Oh my!

And from where we were standing, we could have reached out and touched a horse, we didn’t, but we could have! oh wow! such precision! such beauty!

Here are the guards walking back and forth!

Here comes and there goes the band! I don’t know if I said this, they only have the changing of the guard on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, mainly it’s dependent on the weather! Check out the full schedule in the link!

Here’s Alan telling us about the women in the guard! We definitely saw one! And the police officer at the end was a woman, again, girl power!

Next, we walked through the Household Calvary Museum courtyard to get to the entrance of St James and Buckingham Palace to watch the horse guards come in. This is actually the Punishment Parade!

This was so exciting to watch, and this up close. Normally, you might be outside the gate or across the street, we were up close and personal! Turns out this is punishment duty! Oh my, that is quite the punishment!

After the tour was over, we got to stand and take pictures with the horse and guard! It’s definitely allowed, as long as you don’t touch their reigns or bridle, I think that’s what it was. I was ok, I didn’t touch anything! But…it was awesome! The horse we were standing/posing with put his head on my shoulder! He did!!!

After the pictures and me squealing about the royal horse putting his head on my shoulder, you are welcome for the ear worm! We walked to Trafalgar Square, it was right up the street. It wasn’t overly crowded, unusual, but nice. The fountain was doing it’s thing, people were walking around, climbing on things they weren’t supposed to, oh well, and the traffic was going by as if nothing would stop it.

I don’t know about you, but we were hungry! So…we went to The Clarence Pub in Whitehall. Thing thing about The Clarence…I was there with my dad in December 2022, then again with my dad, PSM, and my sister’s family in December 2022, a few days after dad and I discovered it. The food is good, they have a great veggie burger and sticky toffee pudding! I think I first saw it either on Gordan Ramsay or The Great British Bake Off and I first tried it in Glasgow, Scotland and fell in love with it and now, I try it whenever I can!

I just had to introduce it to SDL and Miss A and it did not disappoint! They went out of their way to find us a table, SDL had steak and ale pie and a beer, I had their veggie burger and a pot of tea, and Miss A had, you guessed it, sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, she was happy.

It’s a great atmosphere, warm and inviting, cozy, friendly, great staff, great food, great ambiance, what more could you want!? Would I go back? You bet, it might be my go-to for London trips for a good, affordable, convenient lunch!

It’s time to explore again! No the day isn’t even close to being over! We walked back down Whitehall looking at the architecture, the people, listening to the sounds of every day life in London, all the way down to Big Ben and Parliament. We learned somewhere that Big Ben is actually ‘just’ the clock and the tower itself is called the Elizabeth Tower, imagine that!

As we walked back down Whitehall, we were treated to another changing of the horse guard, but we were on the outside this time.

Let’s keep walking… we walked back to Buckingham Palace in all its glory and then we walked Constitution Hill to the Wellington Arch. It started to rain while we were walking, but did we care, nope, not at all! We were in London, the sun was out, and we were having a grand time! As we came out of Constitution Hill at the Wellington Arch, what did our eyes spy…THE Hard Rock Cafe! London!

Now…when I say THE Hard Rock Cafe, I mean THE Hard Rock Cafe, the very first, established in 1971, a very good year, if I do say so myself! The cafe was established June 14, 1971 and it was just that, a cafe. We decided we had to go in! [We really needed a looooo!] We maneuvered in, got a table, SDL ordered cheesecake for herself and a piece for Miss A and I had a pot of tea, there honestly wasn’t anything there for me, and we were just looking for dessert, I was happy with my pot of tea. Let’s just say the cheesecake was a big hit!

After we relaxed a bit and Miss A enjoyed the music, it was cool, they were playing classic videos on the TVs, things I haven’t seen in years! Next, you know we had to, we went across the street to the shop. I don’t know if I told you, but…wherever we go, we always look for the Hard Rock, SDL likes to collect their t-shirts, if it’s cool and the price is right, for me, I have a friend that I always get a pin for! I got him one when I was here the last time, at the store on Piccadilly, and I wasn’t originally going to get one this time, but it’s the original cafe/store! Shhh…don’t tell him!

As we were walking around, this guy who works there offered to take me on a tour of the museum downstairs, SDL wasn’t interested, so I went and it was cool! They had the corset Madonna wore in the Express Yourself video, Slash’s guitar, John Lennon‘s lyrics to Instant Karma (We All Shine On), a chair from Freddy Mercury and more! It was quite the treat!

When I came back upstairs, I found them waiting and Miss A was nodding off in her chair, it was time to go! I got us an Uber back to the hotel, there was no way we were walking! It was 3.2 miles and we had just walked how many miles, no thanks! 15 minutes by car or 60 by foot, hmmm…

We got back to the hotel, ordered some takeout and chilled out, it was a great day, but we were tired! I might fall asleep as I’m writing this to you, could you blame me?! What does tomorrow hold?! It’s only day 3, we have so much more to see!

Have a fabulous evening!

{March 31, 2024} London Day 2! Let’s Explore!

We were all so tired last night we just passed out! Let’s go greet the day and see what adventure London holds for us!

No alarm, thankfully, we got up liesurel, got dressed, and headed downstairs. It’s Easter Sunday, what are we going to do? Well, first…food! We headed to the restaurant for some food, Miss A was dressed ready for Easter, she had an Easter Bonnet fasinator on, very British of her!

Aftef breakfast we went into the lobby, they had baby bunnies and chickies! I cannot believe I don’t have any photos of the bunnies or chickies, I’m sorry! I just realized all my photos are with the bunnies, chickies, Miss A, and SDL, and you know I won’t post those here!

They were soooo cute! Only about 15 weeks old, they were brought in by a company called Living Things, ‘A Five-Star Animal Welfare Company’. Very nice people/kids working it, you sat on a bale of hay and they put a drape on your lap and gave the child the animal to hold. SDL and I held the animals, and we helped Miss A pet them, lots of great pics! They were so soft and fuzzy!!!

I told PSM about it later, he told me I couldn’t bring one home. Party pooper!

After the bunnies and chickies, we headed out and walked down by the river and across the Millenium Bridge towards St Paul’s Cathedral, stopped to take some pics and as SDL is trying to take a selfie, I’m also taking pics, a guy jumps on the bench behind her and basically photobombs her pics without realizing it! We al had a good laugh, especially his wife and I, SDL, not as amused in the moment, ha ha! I even texted him the pics!

We walked by St Paul’s, went to the tourist office, asked some questions, and then got an Uber to Camdentown to see Camdentown and the Camden Market.

Camden Market and Camdentown are very ecclectic, hippy-dippy-trippy, punk, alternative, you name it, it’s there. Reminds me of Greenwich Village in the 70s and 80s. There are markets, one-off shops, flea markets, some name-brand shops you may have heard of, and most you probably haven’t. There is Camden Locks, pubs, restaurants, shops, stalls, vendors, all types, clothes, art, collectables, foreign, local, you name it, you can probably find it there!

After a while of walking in and out of some stalls, shops, markets, it was time for a break. We went to Dingwalls, it was up a level, we could get in, they have food and drink, and we found a spot to sit. Actually, a few people offered up their space for us to sit and enjoy, very kind! We met Winston and Master Nelson, two very sweet dogs who love to give kisses.

We settled in, I went up to the bar and ordered us some food and drink. The food and SDL’s drink I got from inside, my tea had to be ordered at the outside bar, ok. It took a llllooooonnnnggg time to get our food the drinks were right there at the bar. When I went to get a refill on my hot water, I thought I could get a refill for SDL from the same outside bar, not the case. They only had certain beers inside, ok…

There was someone who walked in looking for things, I ended up giving them the lowdon on where everything was, bartender confirmed!

I have to say, my veggie burger was quite tasty! The fries were soooo good. I hadn’t had fries like that since Germany! All in all, a tasty lunch, if not a very slooooowww lunch. I know, I know, it’s all about taking our time and enjoying, and I agree, but it’s hard to take time and enjoy when there’s nothing to enjoy! ha ha.

After lunch, we ventured back out, the weather was fabulous! As we were walking by the lock and taking pictures, a boat was coming through and we got to see them ‘lower’ the water and boat, then open the locks, so cool!

Back out onto the main road, shops, shops, people, food, pubs, and more shops and people and food and pubs, oh my!! Camdentown is such an ecclectic place! I love seeing everyone’s style and individuality and even a few true and honest punk rockers with fabulously long spiked hair, what more could you want?!

Don’t you just love the character of the buildings, some of them modeled what the store was, like the Rayban shoppe was covered in glasses, the New Rock store had a New Rock boot above the sign, Cold Steel selling body jewelry, like I said, individual in every way!

Eventually we went into Camden Market itself, more shops and food, I love the umbrellas lining the ceiling, the horse at the entry to the horse stable tunnel shops, talk about using he space, some of the shops are set up in horse stalls!

Eventually, it was time to head back to the hotel, I grabbed a snack in the executive lounge, SDL wasn’t hungry, she very smartly packed a lot of good snack food, that’s what she was looking for, worked for me!

We took Miss A to the pool, she had about an hour to play and she was quite happy! At 10pm, they came and kicked us out of the pool area, so upstairs for showers and jammies!

We have a tour tomorrow, can’t wait to tell you all about it! Are you tired yet? I am! G’night!

{March 30, 2024} We made it! Welcome to London!

Landed in London about 9am, went through customs, no stamp! What?! They do that now, they have machines that you can put your passort in, it takes your picture and you are good to go. Sort of…I wanted the stamp! I discovered this the last time I was here. Now…if I wanted to stand in the very long line, I could get the stamp, no thanks, I’m ok! I’ve got stamps from other countries, if they all start doing this…hmmm… Good thing here are souveniers!

I went through customs, didn’t even talk to a person, that was odd, but ok…I bought a round trip ticket for Heathrow Express, it takes you directly to Paddingdon Station, about a 15 minute trip, if I took the tube, about 30 minutes. I got out in Paddingdon Station, grabbed a croissant, I needed something, and walked out of the station and ended up taking a taxi. I wanted to take an Uber, it’s definitely cheaper here, but it was so crowded where I was that I said ‘you free?’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Hilton Bankside, please!’ and away we went!

I got to the hotel, SDL and Miss A weren’t due in for another hour or so, and it would take them a minute to get through customs and on the road, so I dropped my bag, went into the Executive Lounge, gotta love friends with status like yours! It was still breakfast time, I got a cup of tea and some toast, I wasn’t quite ready for real food.

After sitting still for a bit and chatting with a nice family who had a son that reminded me of Miss A, I went out in search of adventure and found it I did! One block away was the Tate Modern Museum, one of my dad’s favorites, and now one of mine!

One of the great things about the museums in the UK, they are free. A special exhibit might cost something, but the main musuem is free, isn’t that wonderful! Offering art to the people at no charge!

It’s a great museum, they have modern art, special exhibits, expressionist art, installations, odd, interesting, photography, you name it. There was a Yoko Ono exhibit, but I just wanted to explore the free stuff! And explore I did. I went from one floor to the next, to the next.

There is a window box that is on the 3rd or 4th level that looks out over the museum and a giant installation of a metal flag of some sort, I love this piece. What I also love is watching people come in and see it from a different perspective, it’s great. I was so tired at that point that I sat in the chair and nodded off quite a bit, not complaining by any means! When a guard came in and asked me if I was ok, I told him I love watching people come in and see the piece. Then I got up and left! ha ha!

That was just the bit of rest I needed. I wandered a little more, then onto the balcony to see the riverwalk and the Millenium Bridge. I then went down to one of the gift shops looking for a magnet, not as important this trip since I was just here two years ago, but it would have been fun. They didn’t have any that had the name of the musem and the pieces they did have, I hadn’t seen, so no magnet for me!

I went out towards the riverwalk, walked down to the river, put my feet very close to the water, did not get them wet, but watched the swans, the ducks, the dogs, the kids, the boats, you name it, I watched them go by.

Back up to the riverwalk, I walked up and back, stopping to enjoy the people, sights, and sounds. I didn’t want to go too far in case they got to the hotel, I didn’t want to be too far away. I wandered up and down streets, into a few shops, nothing major, got the lay of the land.

I was starting to get hungry, it was about 2p and I stopped in a local bakery chain called Paul, got a chai and something to eat, which I didn’t finish, it wasn’t very good. About that time, I got a text from SDL, they were in the hotel, finally!

Turns out I wasn’t getting her text messages, she was getting mine! This area isn’t great for texting/signal! We finally found each other! Whew!

It was snack time for Miss A, then our room was finally ready, we went upstairs, our bags magically appeared! We pared down and headed out to greet the world! We walkedto Borough Market and walked up and down the aisles, looked at the stalls, tasted a few things, bought a few things, then it was time for food.

We went into a pub that was right there, The Market Porter, it was great. Miss A and I both had a veggie shepherd’s pie, I had a pot of tea, and SDL had fish and cheeps and a local beer. The atmosphere was great, very inviting and warm, the food was good, we were both just exhausted! It was nice to chat and catch up. Miss A, on the other hand was having none of the food, she was in a snuggling mood, until it was time to go, then she was interested in eating, nope, not happening!

We walked back to the hotel, we were almost done! We made a plan for tomorrow, where we are going to go explore, what time w need to be up, breakfast, the whole 9 yards! Then Miss A was ready to eat. Luckily the food was still warm, so I fed her, then it was time for bath and bed.

I may have been asleep by the time they came to bed! I was SOOOO tired! I’m not even sure how I’m writing to you! I am still getting over being sick and flying didn’t help, so I am mustering up the strength to talk to you, sort of, but I’m not going to last much longer!

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, what adventures does London hold for us? I’ll let you know tomorrow!

Have a brilliant evening! The clocks get set ahead tonight, here! Good thing we don’t have anything scheduled that we might miss!

G’night!

{March 28, 2024} Step one… get to dad’s

And here I am!

Finished work, gave the dogs lots of hugs, got some kisses, put them in the crate, turned on the radio, loaded the car, called PSM to tell him I was off, and Annie and I were on the road!

The ride to dad’s was uneventful, I stopped for some Muscinex DM and cough drops, did some planning with SDL, put on a podcast and all was right with the world.

I didn’t hit traffic until I was about 30 minutes out from his house in Bayonne, NJ. And… no rest stops…I needed a bio break! Oh well…

Finally got to dad’s, he knows me, he opened the door and stood aside! Whew!

When I could breath again, went back to my car to get my stuff, we turned around and went back out for some dinner, to…you guessed it, our new favorite place…Zara Forest Grill for some Turkish food. Yup, same place, same order, I’m ok with that and so is he!

We talked, laughed, and ate, and talked, and laughed, and ate. And cheered for the flaming meat platters and the birthday celebrations, not sure, but I’m pretty sure they sing the same thing, just add Happy Birthday!

Back to the house, catch up, look at stuff, change into jammies, and sit down to watch something. We settled on Bitconned, the documentary about crypto currency. When we realized neither of us was paying attention and falling asleep, I said good night, time to tuck in.

Here I am, snuggled in my childhood bed, talking to you and getting ready to sack out.

Tomorrow is work, I’m sure breakfast with dad at Z One, back to work, then off to your airport.

Can’t wait! Gotta get to sleep so I can start my trip! G’night!!

{March 27, 2024} Planning mode

Tomorrow I head to dad’s and on Friday, he takes me to the airport for my next grand adventure.

Brain is in planning and packing mode, work? Yeah, I’m still working, but is my head there? Well, it is, actually, I’m impressed with myself on that one! ha ha. I had two deliverables due, yesterday and today…got them in and now I have other work, but I feel free and clear to travel on Friday.

So…I’m traveling with SDL and Miss A, another one of our epic trips and I cannot wait, it’s going to be so much fun! We both came up with lists of places we want to go, since I was there 2 years ago, I know we haven’t talked about that trip yet, we will…since I was there 2 years ago, there’s a few things on her list that I’m happy to do again and I have some new stuff to add, weehoo!

There are a few things that are time sensitive, that we should book before they sell out, most things we can get tickets for last minute or they don’t cost anything. So…last night and today, I took our list and found some more comparable pricing on some things and then I added the hours and prices for others, we have options! Next, we need to get on the phone and map out what days we want to do the things that are filling up, for example…there is a Jack the Ripper tour, well, there are several of them, but it looks like the only day we can go is Saturday, April 6th, let’s book it! Other than that, we’ll try to schedule some stuff and play the rest by ear.

That is done, pretty much packed. I pulled out my clothes the other day, after doing laundry on Sunday and Monday, then I found the packing cubes, then today, I packed the cubes and put everything in one of my new eBags rolling backpack. It’s smaller than the travel backpack we usually travel with and as much as I like it, I have a feeling I’m going to have to go to my travel backpack, it’s just a wee bit bigger. What if I want to bring something back for PSM, or you my friends! I’m hoping to not buy too much on this trip, I was there two years ago, I brought back some good stuff! But you know me, I like to spoil!

My bag is packed, sort of, re-thinking at the moment, media/entertainment downloaded to my tablet, what’s left? Oh yeah, today I received the new toiletries I ordered, shampoo and conditioner bars so I don’t have liquids, let’s see how they do, I love my bar shampoo that I am currently using.

Yeah, I think I’m good to go, and yes, I have my converter for the electronics! I put it in the bag first, which i’m really happy about, because…almost every time I go to Europe, I forget to bring it and have to buy one, not gonna do it this time!

Ok, going to get some sleep because I still have to work tomorrow! But…getting very excited to share all our adventures with you! Ok, rambled on enough!

G’night!

{March 25, 2024} I did not stop writing again and I did not forget about you!

I promise! I have been under the weather, then sick as a dog since we last spoke and I am sorry! There was a big event to tell you about and I could not even bring myself close enough to the pc to tell you about it! But I will…in another post!

I started to feel woogie on Wednesay, I taught a class, did a few things and decided I needed some Dayquil, then to sit down and rest. Now, normally, when I start to feel woogie, and yes, that is a technical term, when I start to feel woogie, I take a Dayquill or two, meaning two doses, the directed 4 hours apart, I know, I know, you’re shocked I actually follow directions! Well, usually, that works. Nope, not this time.

Thursday came, I started feeling woogier and taught my last class, oh and the cough decided to join me for class, gee thanks. There were a few ‘please hold, I have to turn off my camera and mic and choke for a moment’ moments, fun! But we made it through class, but by the time it was over, I was not doing so hot. I did what I needed to do to wrap up the day, but it was time to lay down, I don’t think I was even able to walk the dogs.

Now, as I said, I usually can take the Dayquil in a day or two, I’m right as rain, PSM says I have a really strong immune system, well, Mother Nature‘s storm front, the hot/cold/hot/cold days, Spring, and allergies all rolled up into one, did nothing for me! So…I got in bed by 9p, yes, you heard me, 9pm and I was done for!

I only got up a few times in the middle of the night, oh joy! Friday came and I was a zombie…I do not know how I made it through work. I finished everything I needed to for the classes I taught for the week, took a nap, went back to work and prepped for the next week, which started today, prepped for some classes I have scheduled in the future and at 430p, I was 100000% done. I took a scalding hot shower, because that sometimes helps, put on my jammies, fed the dogs, and I was under the covers by 6pm.

PSM came home with some soup, it wasn’t the best soup, but it was hot and it hit the spot, he even tasted it and agreed, but I love that he brought me soup and he took charge of me! Thank you! He then said we are switching to Nyquil, because you need sleep! Yes sir! I am down with that!

I took the Nyquil and then there was a new type of woogie feeling, but that faded into the back of my eyelids! I woke up at some point, took more Nyquil, oh, and did I mention the hot cups of tea with honey that kept coming? I am one lucky broad! There were several scalding hot showers, because they open my chest up, the steam clears my nose up and I feel warm and wonderful…for about an hour, but I will take it!

I also woke up sweating several times, so those showers were wonderful and refreshing. Back to bed, more Nyquil. Saturday was a blur! The last does of Nyquil came about 11pm, I fell asleep about 12am, woke up at 1am and I did not fall asleep again until about midnight Sunday. Oh, about 4am Saturday night/Sunday morning, I decided I was laying there long enough, I’m going on a trip Friday, I’m going to do my hair.

I didn’t do the best job this time, in terms of…if you saw the back of my neck, you might notice the giant blue and purple blobs! o m g! ha ha ha. There has been a great deal of exfoliating going on as we speak! I may be wearing a scarf on my flight if I can’t get the color off my neck! I am sitting here laughing hysterically as I write this! I am also reading this out loud as I write it and I almost never do that! I might still be delirious!

Yesterday, PSM was very wise to not let me do anything, even getting up to brush my teeth took a lot out of me! He was great, he’s taken the pressure off me to do things, he’s walked the dogs, fed them, put them up, all the things we share duties on, but he’s done them all, and I so appreciate him for that.

Today, still taking it easy, glad I work from home, I sat at my pc, worked, took breaks when I needed to, but didn’t move much. I did a little laundry, so I have what I need for my trip, but taking it very easy. I’m still not 100% and I don’t have much of an appetite, but I’m getting there, as my grandma would say ‘yiddle by yiddle’. I still have this cough, but my throat isn’t as sore and I have about 10 minutes worth of talking time before I start choking or get tired, so…

That being said, I’ve talked to you now for about 30 minutes and I’m feeling it! So…g’night!

{March 21, 2024} There is a 17 year old in the family! What?!

When did this happen? Yup, it’s true! March 21, 2024 EJS turned 17! Wow!

I’m sitting here trying to wrap my head around that! My baby sister, yes, she’s still my baby sister, not far behind me in age, but I still think she’s 9, I know, I know, she’s not, but I once wrote a poem/story, My baby sister is getting married, but she’s 9! Well… my baby sister is the mother of a seventeen year old!

I remember when my kids turned 17, so I have an inkling of what’s happening in hear head and heart, and as for me…I remember the day she was born. I didn’t get to meet her that day, she was about 7 days old when I finally got to meet her, hold her, hug her, nuzzle nose to nose, tell her all sorts of things, what I was going to teach her, what she was going to teach me, all the fun we would have.

She smelled so good, so tiny, this little thing with a head of black hair and a scrunched yup face, pure perfection! I teased my sister when she was born, one day, when she’s 16, I’m going to get a call “I hate her come get me!” it would either be my niece or my sister, and I’m happy to report, that never happened! When I asked my sister, ooh, can I buy the Halloween costume, she said you better, if you don’t there probably won’t be one! And so began my saga of being the one to get EJS, MGS, and all my grands their Halloween costumer.

For the longest time, I would buy something just plum adorable when I found it, oh, the monkey costume! Then as she got a little older I started asking what she wanted to be, and whatever she said, she got. Sometimes it was something she didn’t even know what it was, like the year she wanted to be a Power Ranger, she never saw the show, but she saw the costume, ok, so she was a Power Ranger. Then one year, she put the costume together herself, uh, sigh…ok… but…Auntie J, you can get me this for the costume, DONE!

I used to love finding creative gifts on my travels, doing creative things for her birthdays, now, I’m happy to send whatever it is she wants, as long as she tells me what she wants! When she was little I was there for either her birthday or birthday party, a promise I made when she was born. And until Covid hit in 2020, I was there, for every single event,. When I lived it Boston, it was great, I could pick her up from school, be a ‘class auntie’, put her to bed at night, take her to the movies, and be around.

She was so much fun to travel with as a wee tot, we’d play hide-and-go-seek, which was very creative in a hotel room! We’d run on the beach, play in the pool, take walks, take naps. As she got older, different types of activities, excursions, and experiences.

Now…she’s grown up and the conversations are different, she continues to amaze, and astound me every day. Very smart, amazing futbol player, good grades, driving! omg on that one! she has a job, and now she’s looking at colleges. I know whatever she does, she’ll succeed. And will make me an even prouder auntie. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for EJS.

Happy 17th birthday EJS, can’t wait to celebrate so many more experiences and happy moments with you. I love you.

{March 19, 2024} I’ve learned something about myself. And Happy Spring!

Ok, I sort of knew this, and it’s not always applicable, but…I do better blogging sitting up at a desk or a table than in bed with my laptop propped on my knees. I’ve said it, it’s out there.

When I’m sitting in a chair, I’m more focused, when I am laying or lounging in bed, I don’t seem to focus as well and let my mind wander, which is a good thing for me, that’s where I get my inspirations sometimes, but other times, my mind is wandering when I should be talking to you! And wouldn’t you rather me talk to you than stare off into space?!

Then sometimes I stare off into space for so long, or scroll on my phone that I run out of steam and I start to doze off, great…I used to blog on my phone, I love having a phablet, tablet/phone, it’s big enough, I could use the s-pen that came with it, to feel like a pen, but I really like using a keyboard, I like hearing the tick, tack, tick, tack, typing on the keys, there is something satisfying about that!

Now… I do have a tablet and I have a keyboard for it, so I use that sometimes too, but even then, I feel like I need to be sitting up when I do it, in a chair, at a table, I know, I already said that! But I do, I feel more productive, what is wrong with me?! I love writing, I should be able to do it from wherever, whenever!

I do actually enjoy writing with a pen and paper as well, but, and do you find this…since we are in the computer age, it’s harder to write, your hand cramps and gets tired! I’ve thought about getting a reMarkable ‘paper tablet’, you write on the tablet with a special pen and it converts your written word into text. I think they might be coming down in price, not sure. But it’s a thought.

Anyway, I’m sitting here, cross-legged, writing to you, at my desk, on my laptop. Yeah, I’m happy, and I’m writing, and it’s 1132pm, I’m watching my fingers fly over the keyboard, sometimes amazed that I can type that fast without looking at what I’m typing, but I know, I just said I’m watching my fingers fly, I can see them as I’m looking at the screen. I’m not that tired, who knows what’s going to happen when I step away from the pc and the desk, I might go get in my jammies and sit in bed and… watch tv, read a book, practice my Duolingo, the possibilities are endless!

But I do know that I have to stop rambling or you might fall asleep while you’re reading that! So, to you, I will say Good Night, parting is such sweet sorrow, until we meet upon the morrow. And…

Happy Spring! [officially!]

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