Re: london (was rice bowls) Long

August 10, 2002

.. I was wondering if

Irene would tell us some things about her trip, I know about the

hotel fire but I know you had some good times and some good food,

and how was the weather? It does get lonesome and boring setting at

home so much, and I think I would like to read something else beside

the veggie diet. So if you will tell us I'll be glad to read it.

The weather was hot and it only rained one day. The afternoon we were trying

to get to the theater. Also don't believe what folks say about the food, you

can find good food but the give you to large a portion.

London was a wonderful trip. I have been there many times but I still love

it. I have been going to the UK for 15 years and until recently by myself.

I would stay for at least 5 or 6 weeks in different parts of the UK.

Our hotel was OK. Unless you want to pay big bucks you cannot get a big,

fancy hotel. This one was 4 or 5 houses knocked into one. It did have an

elevator or a lift as they call them there. We were on the second floor or

the first as they will have it.

As my daughter thinks that a minute wasted on a holiday is a sin, we went to

Kensington Palace where Princess lived although the private rooms are

in the back. I didn't go in as I have been so many time but I wish no that I

had. The wedding dresses from Queen up to dress.

They went to the Tower of London where the Royal Jewels are. They are in a

large vault and you can go in and see them but if someone tried to rob them,

the vault door would close, with you inside. This is where they brought the

people that were to be executed. They executed them right in front of the

Chapel. There is an old saying " that if the ravens leave the tower, the

crown will fall " They clip the wings of the birds so that they cannot leave.

We went to Harrods. A wonderful department store. I tell my husband that it

is a tourist attraction and he asks me why I have a credit care? What can I

say? That card just up and appeared in my mail and I was forced to keep and

use it. :-)) I bought some books there and they were here on Monday.

We say the Phantom of the Opera and it was a very good play. We had very

good seats too. Went to Madame Tussauds, Hampton Court where there is a

maze. I got out first and the others were not far behind. Also went to

Windsor Castle which is the Queen's weekend home. After all of this, we got

back to London in time to have tea. They can forget the sandwiches. Bring

on the scones, strawberry jam and whipped cream and the fancy tarts.

Lastly, after the fire, we spent one night in Stratford upon Avon to see a

Shakespeare play which was done in an American way. Hoe down and as we left

the theater, for all of the Texans, they were playing " Cotton Eyed Joe' " I

got to go to my favorite pub called " The Dirty Duck " and they had t -- shirts

and I bought one. I have stayed in that town 5 different times and I spent a

lot of time there. Met a lot of friendly people and they would tell me what

I need to see and go next.

After going north to Birmingham to get south to London, you can't get

anywhere from Stratford. My daughter got us on the wrong train. We were

supposed to go to Paddington and she got us going to Euston. That would not

have been a problem except the charge was 159 pounds more per person which

would have been $247.oo per person more. We were lucky and the porter let us

go without paying the extra.

Stayed at the Gatwick Hilton and went back into London to: for me, the

Sherlock Holmes Museum and for the girls, the Beatles store. No one was

interested in the Elvis store which was between the other two.

I could go on for ever but these are the highlights and I am sure that not

all want to hear about the trip.

Take care,

Irene

Books may well be the only true magic

Alice Hoffman

August 10, 2002