The Longest Day

I started today at 6:30 AM CA time and I’m ending it at 10:30 PM. Tomorrow is September 2 What’s wrong with this picture? I’m in London

I was driven to the airport by my local driver Larry who said it would take an hour. Rush hour and school traffic made me doubt his word but Larry knew the short cuts to the Bay Bridge and on the freeway, I felt as if I were on the Indy 500 race track I closed my eyes, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. We left at 8:30 and pulled up to the International Terminal at 9:35! I was amazed that I wasn’t road kill and also realized that this was the beginning of possibly more drama. Travel days are exhausting.

SFO International terminal was quiet. I’d already checked in online and uploaded my passport so a friendly United employee got my boarding pass and tagged my bag. Security took five minutes.I chilled out at the United Club lounge and had a sandwich, grapes, chips and a mimosa. Boarding was swift and efficient.

New United aircraft have a small section called Premier Plus. It’s not nearly as nice as business class but there’s quite a bit more legroom and its own excellent cuisine. Yes, I was pleasantly surprised too. We sailed smoothly through the air as I finished my airplane novel and watched several episodes of Hacks, a Jean Smart series from HBO Plus. We landed early.

Went through passport control quickly after our long hike from the plane. The plane landed at 6:30 AM By 7:45 I got into the Heathrow Express train and by 8:00 I was meeting Ann at Paddington station. we walk to the hotel. She’d arrived the day before from Cornwall. after putting my bags in the room, we went to our hotel breakfast, then I got organized in the room while she took a walk.

We’re staying in Kensington so it made sense to see the gardens, which were close to our hotel at Lancaster Gate. We explored the gardens most of the afternoon and enjoyed perfect mid 70 degree walking weather.

Yes, it’s Peter Pan, who now will speak, thanks to a QR code that’s displayed on the fence. Brilliant!

We had a break to see the Serpentine Gallery, get some light refreshments, then wend our way back to the hotel.

We rested a bit, then decided to drop by the neighborhood pub for dinner.

This neighborhood pub, the Mitre, around the corner from the church, was quite lively though we managed to find a spot in a quiet room, away from the crowds.

It’s taken me hours to get this post written, because of slow internet and wonky photo delivery. Many photos were upside down or sideways I quit at midnight and am finishing up before breakfast. It’s now Friday September 2.

Today we visit Buckingham Palace for a royal day out. Unfortunately the Queen is in Scotland but we will no doubt find interesting company.

To be continued.