London - Tuesday, July 21st

Yesterday at 1 pm Joyce came to pick us up to take us to the MAX station.  Luckily we have someone who will take care of our pets.  Our flight took off on time.We only had an hour in Minneapolis before heading on the longer leg.  We had a complementary dinner and wine and then later, breakfast on that flight.  It was not a full flight so we could stretch out.  That was VERY NICE!! I did sleep - a little.

We landed in London at noon on Tuesday.  It took about an hour to go through emigration and customs.  We caught the National Express bus that took us to the Central bus station where we got the express bus to Victoria station.  That was very close to the Lime Tree hotel. We are on the top floor.  A very nice hotel.  Thanks for the recommendation, Sharon.

We left to go take a walk-a-bout.  Walked past Buckingham Palace, through St James Park and Green Park and then through Hyde Park.  We went at a leisurely pace and took a lot of park pictures.

St James park

Green Park

We did stop for a wine break in Hyde park at the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen.  Relaxing to sit in the shade with a glass of wine and watch the lake activities.

Very popular places to hang out.  People do not obey the rules here anymore than in the USA.  But on the other hand if you build a memorial that has a water feature and you say don't climb on it .... what do you expect.

We left Hyde Park and walked along towards the South Kensington Station

We passed an art installation piece but they were just closing we got pictures from the outside.

Royal Albert Hall

After miles and miles of walking (actually about 5.1 miles according to google) we went to the underground to get a ride home.  We found  that it was 5 pounds per person just to go one stop.  So we exited the underground and took a taxi for 8 pounds for all of us. 

We had dinner at the Ebury Grill - another suggestion from Sharon.

Nathan and I started with a Pims.

I had my steak.  George had the risotto and Nathan had the ravioli.  Yummy.

Now we are back at the hotel relaxing.

We are having a little bit of a challenge charging all of our electronic items. And the wifi is very slow. Even using our mobile hotspot.  So I think you will have to imagine some pictures.  Maybe it will be faster at some other time.

Monday and home

We left Debbie and Joe's when they left to go to work so we were at the AirBNB by 9 am.  We drove over to Green Lake and strolled along the trail for a while.

That was nice.  We started off with a nice Chocolate or coffee drink at the Chocolati Cafe.

We went back to the AirBNB to get Nathan's car and then went off to meet Sharon for lunch.  We went to the Bombay House for an Indian buffet lunch.  It was yummy.

I thought I included the tiger in the painting behind Nathan but I see I cut off his head.  

Then we headed home.  We got home around 4:30 pm.  I had to do a little grocery shopping so I could make dinner.  Nathan has been unloading his car.  It is amazing what all he got into his vehicle.

I think the pets were glad to have us home.  That was a nice whirlwind trip.  We connected with a lot of people.  Naturally, I ate too much.

Chihuly

They have photographers wandering around the Chihuly Museum taking pictures of groups for free. That is nice.  Of course it is stamped with their logo.  

Sunday

We got to the AirBNB by 10 am to pick up Dorothy.  She joined us at the Chihuly Glass Museum.  I have been there before but I really like it.  

Then we took her home before we headed out to meet Sharon and Michael for lunch at the Portage Bay Cafe.  Joyce and Patty met us as well.  What a fabulous meal.  

Nathan' French Toast

We went back to the AirBNB to relax a bit. Then we headed out to go visit some friends of Dorothy's who live in the area.  We had a grilled salmon dinner.  Nathan bought some pineapple cider.  That hit the spot.  We ended the meal with a blueberry rhubarb crisp and homemade blueberry frozen yogurt.  

We left the Singers there after dinner.  We played a game of cards with Debbie and then we called it a day.  We will be leaving in the morning so I had to get my stuff organized.

Saturday continued

We were all so stuffed after lunch.  It was quite a meal with Joe's elk burgers with all the fixings (we also had the choice of veggie-burgers or sausage that Dorothy and Ed brought), corn on the cob, my vegetable/fruit salad, cherries (that Sharon brought), We took the stroll down to the lake.  After relaxing for a bit we had our dessert of mango pie, ice cream and brownies (that Nathan brought).  I am eating way too much.

Then the Singers, Nathan and George headed off to Deception Pass to walk around.  They had a very good time.  Sharon left at that time to go home.  Michael had not felt well so he did not come.  I stayed home with Debbie.  We enjoyed another short walk and then we relaxed with a glass of wine up on the swing.  Joe had gone to a car show. He haa 2 old VW station wagons that he is fixing up.

Joe with his 68 VW 

Debbie and Joe's house

the swing behind their house

one of their cats - Phil

When Nathan and George got home we had dinner.  fajitas with tofu and elk steak, beans and a variety of toppings. Another yummy meal.

We ended the evening with a rabble rousing game on the X-box Kennect. We did skiing, tennis and adventure land.  Whew - I am so out of shape.  I am definitely sore this morning.  But it was fun.

What a day.  I couldn't stay up long enough to finish this post.

Saturday at Debbie and Joe's

We started today with a 3 mile walk around Debbie's neighborhood.  It is very hilly so the 3 miles felt a lot longer.  Quite a work out.

Their lake - less than 1/2 a mile away.

Debbie, Sharon and Nathan

Dorothy and George

we had elk burgers for lunch.  This very elk.  Delicious meal.  Naturally I ate too much.

 my mango pie

Sharon, Nathan and Madeline 

After lunch we walked to the lake.  The group minus Joe and George.  I barely made it into the picture in time. I  had to run.

to be continued in the morning.

Seattle Friday July 10

This morning about 8:30 am George and I drove to Seattle.  Dorothy (George's sister) and Ed were coming to Seattle from Ohio to visit Madeline, So we decide to drive up to see them as well as seeing Debbie & Joe.  We got to Dorothy and Ed's Air BNB before they did.  We hung out there waiting for everyone to show up.  Nathan was the last one to get there.  He was coming from Alaska.  We went to lunch at the Barking Dog Ale House.  It was very good. They are a dog friendly establishment.  Guinness made himself at home.

Then we went to a close park.  The Carkeek Park right on the Puget Sound.  Today was a COOL day literally.  Feels so good after the heatwave we have been having.

Guinness with some local art

Nathan

Ed, George, Dorothy, Madeline

local fauna

Then we drove up to Debbie and Joe's place.  It took a while due to the traffic.  Nice relaxing evening with Debbie and Joe.