We're just back from London!

This is Victoria who has been studying in London this term at City University.  Last spring, at eighteen years old, she received her high school diploma and an associates degree simultaneoulsy.

Studying abroad has been her dream since she was a little girl.  Good grades and hard work made that dream come true; she flew to London in late August.  


Larry and I thought this would be a great opportunity to see London and visit our Girl Across the Pond. Although Anglophiles, we've never been to London.  

The London Eye

On Regent Street:  Proper Burgers!

Hercule Poirot was once asked what he disliked most about English Cuisine; he remarked, 'the English don't have a cuisine, they have food.' In our limited experience, we beg to differ, Hercule. We had delicious dinners while in London.  We especially loved pub food; Larry's favorite was the steak and ale pie at Victoria pub in Bayswater. 

A visit to Harrod's in Knightsbridge was high on my list. We took public tranport from Bayswater to Knightsbridge and discovered that Harrod's is more than just shopping, Harrod's is a destination -- and an experience not to be missed. 

Harrod's began in 1834 with two employees selling fresh fruits and vegetables.  Now it covers 5 acres with 7000 employees and 330 departments.

There are18 restaurants in Harrods from wine bars, ice cream bars, a tea shop, pizza shop, Ladure for macarons, buffet dinners and lunches and more more more. We arrived in time for a late breakfast at the Terrace Bar.

Where everything is lovely, delicious, and expensive!

Pot of tea and breakfast breads for one person,15 pounds (or $23.47 US).

Ancient and modern

We took the BIG BUS tour on Sunday .... a great way to see the City when time is short.  I was sorry I'd not been a better student of British history.

All Hallow's Church

Sculpture

Beautiful!

Seen from the tour bus on Regent Street.

We visited Camden Market where I purchased black and white wellies ---- what a treat to find so many boots in my size  --  USA 5/UK 3.  Larry said all of London must have come to the Market that Saturday -- in fact, it boasts 500,000 visitors a year!  Crowds of young people, music, vendors selling clothes, shoes, and momemtos.

Victoria and I shopped in Oxford Street one evening after tea at the Lancaster London Hotel .  Oxford Street is said to be the busiest shopping street in all of Europe.
 

Christmas lights are up and holiday music is everywhere. I loved seeing shops I'd read about in novels: Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Selfridges. 

We shopped at Primark which is said to offer 'trendy' clothes for people who hate to pay a lot.  

 A relaxing shopping experience it is not!  But we had fun out-fitting Victoria for her trip to Poland with heavy jacket, boots, hat, scarf and gloves.

Occupy London:  St. Paul's Cathedral

The first national strike in a generation was called while we were in London.  The strike -- one day work stoppage by 2 million public service workers was planned for November 30, our departure day.  We worried and wondered and watched BBC news everyday and the British Airways website for updates. 

Sculpture:  The Working Man
In the end, the strike did not affect the Heathrow Express or the airport.