Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Wherein our heroine takes a tumble...

Yesterday was a lovely day! No rain, reconnecting with an old friend, getting to see lovely crypts and memorials (even if I couldn't take pictures of them). The highlight of the day, by far, was discovering I was standing on the resting spot of Robert Deveraux, Earl of Essex while in Westminster Abbey. The low point of the day was the tumble referenced in the post title. We had gone to Cleopatra's Needle to take pictures and admire. I started down the steps to the left and somehow only caught a bit of the step with my foot. I have a bit of a sore foot today, and a spectacular bruise forming on my right knee.

We walked a lot yesterday! Viewing Parliament, Westminster Abbey, a tour of Soho and the lovely sex district there. Through the West End...we took the tube to Tower Hill, then wandered around the Tower (which frankly did not impress me as much as I had hoped...I suppose visiting with the lovely, if dead, Earl of Essex overwhelmed my good senses). We took a river cruise (with the most uninspiring tour guide ever) to the Embankment, then walked to Covent Garden to see the bookshop where my friend works, then back to Soho for dinner and a pub visit. My walking shoes for the day were no longer comfortable at the end of the day.

Today is a museum day, and it looks to be another lovely day.

I really do like this city quite a bit. I know I'm only really seeing the center, but it's been fun. I am having a bit of culture shock though...and it comes in an interesting form. You see, they allow for smoking in public places (at least for now), and it is still a bit of a shock to come into a coffee house or restaurant and have it be smoky.

I'm sure that there was more I wanted to say, but I can't think of it right now...and I have to head out momentarily.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh sorry about your tumble! i knew you'd like Westmister Abbey. how did you like covent garden? did you see what i meant about it being harry potteresque? I would love to live in London, and I had a feeling you would be thinking about it too. I also had the smoking culture shock but of course I get that anywhere outside California too :) I hope you are going to the Tate Moderne, I thought it was fantastic - and make sure you have tea at one of the wonderful tea shops or cafes, they rock!

Flash said...

I'm so glad you're enjoying our lovely capitol.
I'm very much looking forward to the weekend.

Enjoy Nottingham & say hi to the tall people for me!

Aravis said...

Sorry to hear about your fall, but the rest of it sounds wonderful! Someday I'll get to see it for myself, but until then I'm enjoying experiencing it through you. Have a marvelous time, and keep us posted! :0)

Charby said...

I can't wait for the weekend Spins!!
hope they took you to the real life setting of Diagon Alley!