London, England, UK

Hello from across the pond. After a long (8 hr) bumpy, sleepless overnight flight, luggage arrived promptly. No questions at customs, just well wishes for a "good holiday". And our driver was waiting with a sign that said "Andrew Land". So much for being special! We are experiencing true British style living - we are staying right on a busy street in an old Victorian town house converted into a 50 room hotel. Very European style - not your standard hotel chain accommodations. The area is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in the Earl Court area of London. Upscale and young residential district. The tube is right around the corner making the 10 minute ride to London fast and easy. Well our first encounter with the tube wasn't easy! The tube has about 10 lines and each going N/S or E/W. Andy and I get on after buying our passes then realize we needed to go in the opposite direction. The next stop was the end of the line. We get off and read the map again and decide the same train needs to go back so we get back on. Andy gets impatient because the train is not moving and gets off to look and the signs again, the door closes and I'm still on the train..... alone. 50 minutes later (yes 50 minutes!) I'm still standing on the platform waiting for him. That was the start of our first day in London - and we know the language!!!! Can't wait for Paris.

Took a walking tour of the Royal area which included Buckingham Palace (Queen Mum was not home), we walked down the street to Prince Charles house instead and he was not home. Then to 10 Downing St. (home of the PM) which is now closed off and guarded by bobbies with machine guns. Took in the sites of Westminster Abbey, Clock Tower (AKA Big Ben) and Parliament. The last 3 buildings are massive and very ornate with Gothic architecture. Many English kings have been crowned, work and played and even have been entombed here. Dating back to 1066.

The Thames River is right there and we took a ride on it down to the Tower Bridge, which many tourist refer to as London Bridge. Also saw the Tower of London. After 6 hrs of walking and sore feet, we had old fashion fish and chips at a traditional pub. We did all this with a map and camera in our hands trying to fit in as locals.