Just Brilliant

The Crowe British adventures continue apace. Eric has been in mid-day meetings, also known as boozy business lunches, so I've been left to my own devices. I'm a bit of a wayward tourist - off on a frolic of my own. I navigated the classic double decker bus with only a bit of confusion. On one bus you wait for the fare to be collected. On another you must buy your ticket before boarding. However, there is no place to deposit the ticket. You're just supposed to show it. Confusing. No wonder the locals end up at the Bag 'o Nails Pub by noon. 

My plan was get off the bus at Picadilly Circus, but missed the stop and found myself in the Haymarket Theatre area. After a little wandering I stumbled upon Trafalgar Square. Enchanting.  With its fountains and sculpture and imposing facades, it reminded me of San Francisco Civic Center Plaza back in the days before homeless encampments caused it to be closed down. As an aside, I  have not seen one homeless person here.

In the square there is a clock counting the hours, days and minutes until the London Olympic Games. At that time it was 402 days. I took a quick spin through the National Gallery and had lunch in their cafe. It was a great, inexpensive meal in a seemingly pleasant atmosphere. The sign warning of pickpockets was the only note off tune. Trafalgar square is right near Downing Street and Westminster Abbey and Big Ben - one iconic, historical pile after another. Throw in the Churchill War Room and the Household Cavalry Museum and it's almost overwhelming.  

A peek at the Thames and it's up Birdcage Walk to St. James Park which has albino pelicans. London has a well designed green belt with three major parks adjoining one another. St. James starts near Parliament Square and runs right into Green Park which is where Buckingham Palace is located. Oh, look, it's the changing of the guards. I'd always heard about it, but what a thrill to be there. Around the corner is the beautiful Goring Hotel where Kate Middleton spent the night before she was married. It has the most incredible window boxes with light pink hydrangeas. 

All the walking really did require a stop at the Bag o' Nails on Lower Grosvenor Place. It was a good place to sit and reflect. One large glass of Rose later and it was back to Hyde Park where, guess what I found? Tennis courts. Not two blocks from our hotel. It turns out they have a robust youth tennis program, pay to play courts, lawn bowling (whatever that is) and formal English gardens which are open to the public. When Eric got back from his meetings we went to the tennis courts. Lined with lavender, there are six courts plus two mini courts with tiny nets for lessons. We got a court and played mixed doubles with an English couple named Charlie and Lucy. That was after purchasing balls in the pro shop which cost six pounds (about nine dollars).  When it began to pour our opponent, Charlie, scurried off to collect the balls. No kidding. They're very expensive.

After three wonderful days at the Gore Hotel it was time to move closer to downtown where Eric would be having some meetings. "The City" as the area is called, is near the Tower Bridge and more importantly, Lloyd's of London. It was our last night on the company dime, which was probably just as well. I found myself getting annoyed that I couldn't get the television over the bathtub to work. The towel heaters also remained mysterious. Time to get back to reality. We had dinner at the Butler Wharf Chop House. The food was good, but we sat outside and as it got dark the view of the Tower Bridge was breathtaking. Was there sex in the city? I guess you'll never know.