Country Mice in the Big City!

Didn't sleep well last night, probably thinking about trying to re-pack those already over-stuffed suitcases and dreading hauling them around. Up early for us and readied ourselves. Trevor, Jeff and I went to a local pub for a VERY filling English breakfast (to be differentiated from a Scottish breakfast -- no porridge!) Jeff was in his glory with double rashers of bacon -- until they brought his coffee with milk in it!! He manfully drank it down. After all, if one can eat haggis, what is a little milk in one's coffee?


Back to the house and Trevor got out "Juicy Lucy" a she is called -- a 20 year old Jaguar XJS convertible, V-12, and nearly a sculpture, she was so lovely. He had promised me a ramble over the roads in the growling Jag, and off we went. Sweet speed, handling and power, that car smoothed out twists and turns and was so comfortable, Could easily have just headed for the hills!

Have a new e-mail buddy -- Karina decided that she'd like to be connected, and we started her in on e-mails. I must say she caught on quickly, and I think that with a little solo practice, she will soon be zapping e-mails all over! And I will be so glad to be able to talk to her, hermana y hermana!


After Jeff got a spin, it was time to head to the train station. Sigh ... would that the US had kept up with our trains as the English have. Less than an hour later, juggling luggage, Jeff and I were in Victoria Station London. Comfortable and clean ... just kind of scary how close some of the houses were to the rails! Quiet and "green" as the trains are electric. I could so easily travel that way all the time. Now I am nostalgic about a tour on the Orient Express!


It has been beautiful and warm the entire time we have been in England, making us wish we had left the bulky sweaters at home. Tomorrow is supposed to be 70 degrees, but the temp will fall off sharply and the following several days have a high in the low 60s and evening temps in the 40s. But, thank the Lord, no rain! If we had scheduled time on The Eye and it had been rainy or foggy, Mr. Camera Peterson might have jumped off London Bridge!

Our hotel, seen first like a man lost in the desert and finding his mirage is really an oasis, is perfectly lovely. The staff here are exceptional. It is located on Ebury Street in Belgravia and the street has housed many and eccentric residents over the years. Mozart was living at number 180 Ebury Street when he composed his very first symphony. Ian Fleming (author of 007 books) lived at 22b Ebury Street. Other famous tenants have included Noel Coward, George Moore, Lord Tennyson and Harold Nicholson. The area now boasts a whole new generation of glamorous celebrities who call Belgravia home: Nigella Lawson, Elizabeth Hurley, Sean Connery, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Roger Moore -- so you can see, Jeff and I are in good company!



The Lime Tree Hotel itself was constructed in 1834 and originally housed the distinguished surgeon Charles Whiting. Since then the building has had many uses including furnished apartments and the Imperial Nurses Club. In 1960 it finally became the Lime Tree Hotel. Being of special architectural and historical interest, the building itself is protected by Grade II listing status. It comprises three main storeys, attic and basement, six windows wide and is constructed in brick with channelled stucco on the ground floor, with an unusual 'flying buttress' chimney to the rear. The entrance is a square heading flanked by fluted Doric columns in an arch. The windows are square headed with French casement and a 20th Century wrought iron balcony to the first floor. Our room on the second floor (UK -- that's third floor to all Yankees!) is large by UK standards and boasts a lovely rainhead shower. Subtle panels of Chrysanthemum wallpaper accent our comfortable room. We overlook Elizabeth Street and the lovely sort of secret garden in back of the house. I am sure there will be photos tomorrow!


After wrestling our bags up to our room, we unpacked and collapsed -- a "kip" was called for! Slept for about an hour and then Jeff and I started to sort through things like making our UK cell phone work. Sigh... it can't ever be easy, can it? The reception folks told Jeff that there was a Vodophone store in Victoria Station, so he headed back to see what the problem was. The clerk there was less than helpful and told us that if the phone were bad, we would have to return it with the original box -- yeah, like we had room in our luggage for that! We think that Trevor may have hit on it by telling us that it needed a full 24-hour charge the first time out of the box, so it is charging away as I write.


After a refreshing (if tepid shower), Jeff and I stepped next door to a Wine bar and had a lovely, if over-priced dinner. Enjoyed it all ... Jeff was too full to order the uber-chocolate dessert they had on the menu! Now, that's full. Jeff had a pheasant wit ramps and new potatoes and I had Scottish venison over red cabbage and small roasted potatoes with a whiskey sauce. Perfectly lovely!


After stuffing ourselves, we walked down Ebury to Eccleston and over to Victoria Station. Mogged along Buckingham Palace Avenue (yep, THAT one!) in the comfortable air, checking out the rowhouses and shops. Passed Grosvenor Hotel and Park and finally managed to work our way back to our hotel where we are having a nightcap and promising an early turn-in. Big day tomorrow, then we hope to connect up with Scott in Heresford (near the Welsh border) for dinner and drinks and on Thursday we meet up with Trevor and Karina for lunch before they see a show. We will work with the concierge tomorrow to get tickets for Shakespeare at the Globe, The Eye, Tower of London and a tour with a river cruise. Depending on timing, since Bucking ham Palace is so close, we may scarper over at 11:30 AM for the changing of the guards and perhaps a short tour of HRM digs. Only open for tours in August and September when the Queen is vacationing at Balmoral.


So, I'll sign off. Looking forward to regaling you with tales of London tomorrow. Off, with love ...


P.S. Is anyone out there reading these? Just wondered!