Welcome to the UK
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Welcome to the UK! We had no problems getting through the immigration control area but I wonder how many people try to come into the country and are denied entry. As with most countries, I thinkRead more
On the Platform
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We decided to take the underground into London. It’s fast, easy, and a lot less expensive than riding a taxi or Uber. I hope we don’t have a long wait for a train. Right now, we’re the only onesRead more
The Train is Here
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We didn’t have long to wait until a train pulled into the station. I’m hoping that it’s not too crowded and that we will get a seat because I’m thinking that it’s going to take us a while toRead more
A Seat!
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Unlike the trains in New York City, there’s no struggle to find a seat. This train was so uncrowded that we could have our pick wherever we wanted to sit. This should be a good ride!
Here in the Underground
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Despite being tired from all the traveling we’ve been doing, I decided to take advantage of this lull to take a few photos of Groot. He’s always great to help document our journey.
Empty Car
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
I’m surprised that we’ve got the whole car to ourselves. I’m sure it will start to fill up as we get more into London but, for now, we’re enjoying it!
Stairs
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We’re changing trains at Piccadilly Circus which means lugging our bags up and down stairways. I’m looking for elevators or escalators but haven’t seen any yet. The last leg of traveling alwaysRead more
Waiting
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We’re on the correct platform, we hope, waiting for the train to arrive and take us to Waterloo, the stop where our hotel is located. Our long journey is nearly over!
Park Plaza London Waterloo
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We made it! We’ve just came out of the train station and this is our first look at the Park Plaza London Waterloo, which will be our home for the next few days. It looks great!
Checking In
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Here’s a panoramic look at the hotel’s lobby. This place looks both new and very modern. It’s a far cry from our last visit to London when we stayed at the Radisson Blu in Leicester Square. ItsRead more
Hallway Lights
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We passed these mirrored walls on the way to our room. They are lit up and seem to have a neon glow. This sort of thing really makes this hotel look very modern and even futuristic. I’m reallyRead more
Our Room
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Our room is a lot bigger than we had expected but it’s on the first floor so, unfortunately, we don’t have a view. That’s a bit disappointing but it’s okay. I’m sure we’ll get over it. TheRead more
Going Out
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Hunger overtook tiredness and we needed to go out and eat something. Kathy wants us to try the British tradition of the Sunday Roast so we’re now riding an Uber taxi to one of the local pubs.
The Prince of Wales
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We made it to the Prince of Wales fairly quickly but there were lots of twists and turns due to so many one way streets. This will be our first experience to eat in an authentic British pub and I’mRead more
Sunday Roast
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 54 °F
Kathy wanted us to experience the British tradition of the Sunday Roast and, since this is our only Sunday in London, we now have a perfect opportunity to try this special meal.
The Underground
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Since it wasn’t that late, we decided to go out and see a bit of London. We’re now on our way to Paddington Station.
Paddington Terminal
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Paddington is very much as I remember it. Very big, crowded and busy. I’m surprised, for a Sunday evening, that it’s this busy. I guess everyone is heading home from a day out of enjoying the weekend.
Paddington Bears
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Kathy went off to find the restroom, leaving me to go shopping alone in the Paddington Bear Shop. These bears are sold all over London but many of them seem to be cheap knockoffs. I want to get a realRead more
Great Buys!
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
I ended up leaving the store with a nice sized plush Paddington Bear, wearing the red boots. I also got a Paddington Bear magnet for the refrigerator and a few postcards, some of which I’ll send toRead more
Paddington Tracks
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Now that we’ve finished at the Paddington Bear shop, there’s not much else for us to see here. We’re going to go through the station and make our way to Kings Cross, which adjoins Paddington.
Trains
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
I’ve never been on one of those trains that go throughout Europe but I’d love to try it sometime. I think it would be such an adventure to board one of these trains and travel around Europe,Read more
Merry Christmas!
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
When we made it to Kings Cross, we saw this big Christmas tree that looked like it was constructed of stacked up books in a library. We’re so impressed by this!
Christmas Tree
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
This is one of the most unique and original take on the classic Christmas tree that I’ve ever seen. Apparently, Kings Cross sets up a different sort of tree each year and this is the one on displayRead more
Under the Tree
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
There are alcoves for seating at the base of this amazing Christmas tree. I’m very surprised that people are allowed to get so close and actually sit in these seats. In New York, I would expectRead more
Hearing a Story
November 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
We’re sitting together in one of the big tree’s alcoves and listening to Charles Dickens most famous story, A Christmas Carol. I’m wondering if we can only listen to an excerpt or, if we satRead more