The Sweater - Part III

We're in the home stretch now! I've finished the "body" and am now working on the sleeves. I got a little obsessed last weekend and worked on it for a full day, but I really do want to get it done by Thanksgiving (which is a little over 40 days away). I started thinking "dang, what am I going to do when I'm done with this project?" But I know about 3 pregnant/recent mothers that I can do stuff for.....perhaps trying my hand at booties for the first time? And of course there's always my HON stuff.....can never make too many hats, scarves or blanket squares. I'm beginning to think this is not just a passing hobby.....

London Calling

London is amazing. I'm not even sure where to begin....I managed to write 35 pages of thoughts and observations in the five days I was there. The two days leading up to the trip were stressful....flying non-rev has it's perks, but it's downsides as well. And I think my nerves got the best of me on the flight because my upset stomach kept me in Heathrow's bathroom for three hours (my nervous tummy is a constant form of fun). But after some swigs of Alka-Seltzer (thanks Rachel!), I got on my way and had a blast!

Day 1 - Got into London on the Tube ok. Had a little trouble finding the hotel, but once I did, I got my stuff up to my teeny-tiny little room and headed out into the city. Today was a walking day....no tours or visits to specific buildings. I walked to Westminster Abbey and saw Big Ben and Parliament. I walked toward Trafalgar Square and happened to be in the right place at the right time to see Charles and Camilla coming out of one of the government buildings! Trafalgar Square had some festival going on and the place was packed. Picadilly Circus wasn't as cool as I thought....it's probably better at night. Hyde Park is HUGE! The Speaker's Corner was entertaining.....after much searching, I found Princess Diana's Memorial Fountain and then walked to Kensington Palace (strange that it's just in the middle of the park). I'm surprised I made it as long as I did on that first day.....not much sleep on the plane and then the tummy troubles didn't slow me down.

Day 2 - Started the day at St. Paul's. It's breathtaking inside. And the very polite fire alarm cracked me up! I climbed all 400 steps to the top of the dome....the views were spectacular (and the climb left my legs very wobbly). I made my way across the Milleneum Bridge to Tate Modern....a bit of a disappointment. I enjoy art that I recognize and there wasn't much there. I walked along the Thames toward the London Eye. Lordy, there were a lot of joggers out there! Not sure what jobs people have that allow them to run at lunch (do all businesses come with showers for employees?)....but there are no fat Londoners. The Eye was fun, though definitely a one-time thing. St. James's park is lovely....lots of flowers and water fowl. Last stop was Buckingham Palace....just a great place to sit and people-watch (and I had to scope out my "changing of the guard" spot)

Day 3 - Trip to Windsor Castle. Once again with the mild confusion with the bus and stuff, but I got out of there and really enjoyed sight seeing from the bus. It took us an hour and twenty minutes to get to Windsor....and most of that was just getting out of London! But the houses in England are just like you see on tv and movies. The Castle is HUGE! The audio guide came free with the admission and while I don't like holding the thing to my ear, it was very informative. The Queen's Dollhouse was really neat as was the gallery of pictures of Queen Elizabeth's life. After I got back into town, I headed to the Library.....loved how they had everything you would want to see all in one room! I loved seeing all the hand-written stuff....especially the really, really old Bibles.

Day 4 - Changing of the Guard. As usual, I got there outrageously early (hey, better early than late!). It was pretty cool....but definitely a "been there, done that". Headed up to the National Gallery....another disappointment. All the works I really wanted to see were being moved. Oh well....guess I'll have to come back. Next was the tour of Westminster Abbey. Another gorgeous cathedral. The ceilings are so high....and the place is full of dead people! It's starting to hit me now that the next day is my last. I'm not ready to leave, but yet I can tell that being a tourist is beginning to wear on me....

Day 5 - Started at Covent Garden....this needs to be done later in the day....not much happening at 10am. I walk up Fleet Street toward the Tower of London. I'm to the point where I'm seeing sights that I'm only remotely interested in and I am getting tired. I finally have the traditional fish and chips (a fish stick and fries, basically). The Beefeater tour at the Tower is very good (though doesn't cover everything). The Crown Jewels are amazing and seeing a film of the Coronation is cool (Elizabeth was so young!). I had planned on walking across the Tower Bridge, but I needed to get to Westminster Abbey for Evensong, so I ended up taking my first bus ride across it instead. Evensong was more of a service than I thought, though hearing the choir in that immense building really was awesome. I rode the double-decker back to Victoria Station (and got to sit up top and in the front!). I grabbed some last-minute stuff at the shops in the station and then just watched people for awhile. It was hard to tear myself away and head to my hotel....I knew this was it.

This was truly an amazing trip. There were advantages and disadvantages to going solo....not sure one way is better than the other. I wish I could travel overseas again next year....but buying a house comes first. I will find a way to take a long weekend somewhere here in the States though....this traveling thing is just too much fun!!