Thursday, London Town

Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning (this being the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea)-- and decided this was the day to go into town. After a fortifying cuppa and a bite to eat, we hopped the No. 9 bus and rode. Past Kensington Palace we rode, with its beautiful huge park (nannies pushing full prams around); past Queen Vic's gleaming golden monument to her love for her consort, Albert; on down past Hyde Park, Green Park, Regent's, and any number of other parks, past Picadilly, and into Leicester Square. (It's a long way from Tipperary, folks.)

With the gift of theatre vouchers, we walked over to the venue that is showing a newly mounted production of one of my favourite plays, 'Shadowlands' -- the lovely and sad story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham's May-December romance. John has never seen it, so we got tickets for Royal Circle seats (posh), for Saturday matinee.

Then we hopped another bus up to the British Museum (hasn't lost its charm, yet). Before entering to do a little shopping at the gift kiosk there, we noted Ye Olde Museum Tavern, across from the gates, so followed our thirsty appetites over there. Pub lunch, darlings; love that stuff -- pint of Beck's, bangers and mash for me, roast beef for my consort.

In the museum at last, which I have never before entered, we marvelled at the modern central rotunda, which now houses the First Emperor of China exhibit of amazing terracotta armies -- which we all have tickets to view next Wednesday AM; and then I did a little shopping while John stood around.

After that is when things started to go downhill. It was mid-aft, beginning of rush hour, and we thought we'd mapped out an easy bus route to get home to Kens. before Lily was due from school. Wrong. It took us about two hours, changing buses and seeking the next appropriate stop-bench, round and round the circular Aldwych bus hub; let me tell ya, we did a lot more walking than riding, on this journey home.

I had reached my last reserves of energy before we finally got on the No. 9 bus headed west as required. This part was no fun, any more. I was so tired I was weepy, not a lot of fun as a travelling companion I must confess shamefulliy.

Next time we go to town, it's 'call Kirit and book a ride' time.