triumphgal

I am both excited and sad to get started on my last full day here. It is time to return to reality but I will so desperately miss the dear Hearndens. It is so easy to be with them, the banter and laughter and seeing the world from the same weird angle is a gift. The day starts with a forwarded email regarding the end of the day

I only wish they were joining me but I was fortunate Ashlée and I discovered it was on and the Hs managed to snag a ticket for me to the sold out show!

We drive to Orpington Station, refill the Oyster Card (transit pass) and take various train and underground routes to get to the Tower of London. It is proving once again to be a stunning and hot day. Who knew I’d come home from England with a tan!

There is a food fair going on in the moat so it is a bit busy. Chatted with two Canadian guys behind me in line. The day is now in full swing.

First goal is the Crown Jewels. There is usually a long line but we basically walked right in

There were no pictures allowed but I must say I was surprised how ‘fakey ‘ most crowns looked and how little their heads were. I was entranced by the coronation spoon, the salt servers and the 3 foot gold punch bowl.

Many pushy queue jumpers. I called on my personal zen

We came out the other side and I was interested in what the lady beside me on the bench was eating. Seems it was a flake. Mmmmm

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poor guy couldn’t help but take a few peeks to see what that was in front of him

After the jewels we simply wandered through the Bloody tower guarded by a Cyril Squirrel

From there it was off to the Chapel

White Tower was full of displays. I learned a great deal… and did many steps

Soon it was time to head out but not before a quick stop at the mint whilst the Hs figure how to get there

The reservation was at Oxo. Patio overlooking the Thames was a pretty great spot. My drink was called Penicillin. The scallops were delicious

finally it was time to send me along to the National Theatre to see Sir Ian McKellenI sat beside a Canadian educated in London and employed in Washington DC. The lady behind me in line for Champagne was here for one night only invited by Sir Ian as they are long time friends and she lives in New stork. Love ‘crazy’ Mary as she calls herself. I can’t begin to explain my feelings after seeing this brilliant gift to the arts. He is charming, witty, smart and extremely entertaining I did not ever get to see my idol, Olivier but I have now seen Sir Ian in the Olivier Theatre as he discussed this man and so many others including a memorial list that included Stan Lee. My heart loved his description of theatre as being in the now, a different experience every performance. Cinema is in the past, already done.

and this ended my last ride on the train system this trip. Grand it is the Waterloo station. 

Final tap out

Home to finish packing, carefully weighing the suitcase as it could cost me $100 if over 50 pounds. (I bought a lot of books and shoes)