London round two

Windsor Castle
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We returned to London on Sunday May 28, 2006 on the Eurostar.  This time we stayed at the Thistle hotel in Marble Arch.  It is right on Oxford Street, with its shopping and bustle, like living on 5th Avenue in New York.  Oxford St has lots of clothing stores, H&M, Zara, Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Debenhams, etc.  Expensive clothes by American standards.  Most outfits I liked cost over 300 pounds (almost $600!) - so I only window-shopped at Selfridges and Debenhams.  Marks & Spencer more affordable.

Hampton Court Gardens
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On May 29, we saw a West End play, the Woman In Black.  It has been running for 15 years in West End and is a ghost story with excellent special effects and superb acting.  Now why can't Broadway be like this?

Sad to be leaving lovely London

We did a day trip to Runnymede, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace.  Runnymede is the meadow where the Magna Carta was sealed.  Not much to see here.  Windsor Castle is a working palace even today, though it is over 900 years old.  We saw the changing of the guards, the State Apartments and Queen Mary's dolls house.  Next we went to Hampton Court Palace and Gardens.  More Kings and Queen's Apartments, a Tudor kitchen and palace gardens.

The London Eye
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Bought chocolates and tea at Fortnum & Mason and walking sticks for Daddy at James Smith in New Oxford St.  James Smith is a lovely little store full of walking sticks and umbrellas of all colors!  Daddy has threatened to beat me with the stick, since he does not really want to use it to walk!  We also did a city tour on the Big Bus, with live commentary.

On May 31, my parents' wedding anniversary, we went on the London Eye.  Then we went on a London Showboat cruise on the Thames.  It was supposed to have a show with Broadway songs, it was one woman singing for 40 minutes.  Rest of the 2 hours, we ate.  I was expecting a group of performers dancing and singing.  Rather a disappointment, though she sang very well.  We saw the Tower Bridge open up to let a large cruiseboat, amazing sight.

Palace of Westminster
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The last few days were a little sad, we were sorry to be leaving London which I absolutely loved.  Oh well, all good things come to an end.  We packed our suitcases and left for Heathrow on Saturday, June 3, 2006.  Since my flight was 5 hours after my parents, after I dropped them off, I managed to see one more museum - Tate Britain, but only the John Constable large-canvas landscapes.  Gave away all my spare change to a young kid begging outside Pimlico station and he said "Cheers, darling"!!  Finally left London at 4PM in the afternoon.  Uneventful flight.  Back in New Jersey and planning my next trip to Italy....