London

Emily and I are in Paris though we leave later today for Venice. I haven't been able to post anything since we left Toronto as we have been so busy and because the internet at our hotels has been extremely unpredictable and even non-existent. We had a quite easy flight to Heathrow. On arriving we connected with the London Underground and made our way to King's Cross station, just a couple of blocks from our hotel. The room was miniscule and lacked amenities -- other than a rather ancient, though still usable kettle. The washrooms and showers were shared with others in our corridor but they were clean and well kept and our fellow travellers were pleasant and like ourselves, rather mild and middle-class. It was about 10:30PM when we settled in but just 5:30PM Toronto time so needless to say we weren't ready for bed. We walked the neighbourhood for some distance, finding a Marks and Spencer mimi-grocery store a mile or so away where we purchased some basics -- milk, water, and cookies, and had a bite to eat at the adjoining Burger King. Back at the hotel we struggled mightily with internet connections so that we could Skype back home; the lad on over-night duty was kind and helpful and got us some access for awhile -- we had to take our equipment down to the dining room in order to get a stronger signal. London was intermittently rainy the whole time we were there -- especially during the times that we neglected to schlep the umbrella. Our first foray was on the underground to Trafalgar square, then on foot to the vicinity of the Parliament buildings and Westminster Abbey. Because I am such a strong over-the-centuries buddy of Samuel Pepys I was very keen to visit Westminster Hall, the only part of the Whitehall Palace that survived the fire that levelled all else. Pepys described it in it's use at his time as a communal hall, filled with shops and people doing business of various kinds or just meeting with others for a drink or something to eat. The celebration following Charles II's coronation was held there and Pepys has left a detailed description of the festivities. At the Hall we were told by a kindly guard that we could get a pass to visit the Houses of Parliament as they were then in session and that the route to the visitors' gallaries passed through Westminster Hall. Very promising. We decided to return later in the afternoon. We thought about visiting Westminister Abbey for a walk-about (and later St. Paul's) but both can now be entered only by a fairly hefty payment so we decided to fore-go the pleasure. We did go into the storied St Martin's in the Field, however, and sat for awhile in its simple interior while I explained a bit to Emily about the change over from Catholic to Anglican religions in England. Interesting, she said. Tired of walking and a bit chilled by the rain, we hopped on a passing bus which took us along the Strand and Fleet St into the City and up to St Paul's. We walked about a bit, purchased lunch materials at a local Pret a Manger -- very excellent -- and took the underground back to the hotel to eat and relax awhile. Later we set out for the Parliament buildings once again. This time we got our pass and waited in line in the drizzle (it had looked so fair when we had left -- a lesson on London, for sure: never leave your hotel without your umbrella). A kindly fellow in front shared his umbrella with Emily. He said he waas going in to meet with his MP to lobby on behalf of the British airplane companies that he represents. As promised the entrance to the building was via Westminster Hall. I was so happy to be there. I had only discovered that it still existed when Mark and I saw a program by David Starkey about Henry VIII. Starkey located himself in the hall during one episode. Seeing it still existing, I determined to see it for myself if at all possible.