LONDON - CHRISTMAS IS COMING

We did not return the cars on Monday. So Tuesday we took advantage of our freedom and went to London's largest mall for last minute Christmas shopping. After the mall we took the cars back and brought home pizza.

Wednesday the four of us went to "the city". The plan was to see St. Paul's Cathedral, stopping at King's Cross Station to find "Platform 9 3/4".


We thought that after St. Paul's we'd take a bus ride to some other sites. But we spent most of the day at St' Paul's. It was so beautiful and interesting, for all of us, for different reasons.




AGAIN, we were not allowed to take pictures. BUT there are public domain photos that show some of what we admired.

The Dome



And a 360 degree picture of the High Altar



We climbed most of the way up the Dome. We couldn't go to the very top because of the snow. Here are some pictures from the Dome.

Shakespeare's Globe Theater



The Millennium Bridge.



Our second London meal had been at a Burger King at Victoria Station - because we did not know there was a food court upstairs. So after a short bus ride, we ate at a Garfunkel's. Ann had told us about this chain that provides "All things to all People." Excellent food, great service, reasonable - for London - prices. Then it was off to meet up with the rest of the family to see "Wicked." Which was not in the West End, but right across the street from Victoria Station.

YES, all 9 of us, plus a friend of Sarah's made a magical gathering of 10.





A GREAT SHOW. Followed by a long tube ride home.

ONE MORE TIME - A great time although we'll have to do the "rest of the tour" we had planned on another day. St. Paul's was worth it !

IT'S MONDAY, THIS MUST BE WINDSOR CASTLE

Even though the roads were still slippery and we didn't have Tom to guide us, the four of us took off to Windsor Castle. No problems either driving on the wrong side or finding the Castle. Parking, on the other hand, was a challenge.

After finding the Castle and being told very politely by a guard that we could not park "there", we followed his directions to a parking garage. We also found it easily - but it was full. Then things went awry. We ended up leaving town on an Expressway, turning around and trying again from the beginning. This time we found a college parking lot that was available while the school was closed for holiday. After a short walk, we arrived back at the Castle.

Looking like a Castle oughta -





AGAIN, no pictures allowed inside. Trust us, British Royalty does know how to live.

Outside - the changing of the guard. Not the spectacle of Buckingham Palace, but very impressive, none the less.



And MUCH more accessible




We found our way home without incident - AND found another close parking space.

Tomorrow we return the cars and start seeing London like a local - taking buses and the tube.