Spurgeon News

LONDON! When I think of London I think major glamour. I mean, you aren't anyone until you've been spotted in London. I was absolutely convinced that I was going to see someone famous. I won't keep you in suspense: No famous people, just two protests and an earthquake.

We drove down to London Tuesday evening and stayed in the suburb of "Brent's Cross." We had to order room service because everything closes so early there.

Brent at the Brent Cross station just before boarding for the trip into downtown

The next morning we took a hotel shuttle to the "tube" (underground train) station. We were about 10 stops away from our destination. This was my time to people watch. (Some guy ate two bags of potato chips for breakfast.) It was 9 AM and the big morning rush was over, but at times it was still standing room only. Whenever I am traveling, I am always wondering, "Where are all these people going?" Work, school, touring: It just fascinates me.

We got off the tube at Charring Cross and followed the signs to find our way out. After lots of long concrete hallways and a ton of steps, we emerged and found ourselves in the middle of a bustling city center. We were just a few short steps from Trafalgar Square. The camera never left my hands all day. We had decided ahead of time to purchase bus tour tickets. For a reasonable price you could buy a full day pass to tour the city on a double decker open top bus. Luckily, the weather was great. A little chill in the air, but no rain. It was so enjoyable to just ride the bus for a while and see everything from up high.

Our first stop was Buckingham Palace. We arrived to find hundreds of people standing around taking pictures apparently waiting for something. As luck would have it we were just in time for the changing of the guards. A procession of men on horseback came down the long road called The Mall directly in front of the palace and relieved the guards on duty. There is so much significance and history behind everything associated with the British Monarchy.

As you know, every meal was planned ahead of us going on this trip. We had decided that it would be really fun to go the the Hard Rock Cafe. This meal just about blew the budget: crazy prices. I guess we were paying for the atmosphere, because it was really cool. Just as we sat at our table Duran Duran came in the video screen directly behind me. (As a Duranie veteran, it was pretty cool to be in the London Hard Rock Cafe with Duran Duran playing.)

We knew that we were only going to have one day in London, and it just wasn't enough. We decided to do the full circuit bus tour after lunch. Britton fell asleep and for two hours we just sat, observed and took it all in.

The London Eye! We timed our ride just right so the sun was setting and we got an incredible view of the London night life starting. Below is a picture of Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament just as the light came on.

We wearily headed back underground to catch the train back to the hotel. This woman's feet made my feet ache even more than they already were. It had been a fabulous day in this busy, exciting capital. We had a long trip ahead of us and we were exhausted from such a busy week, but it was so worth it. I've always considered myself such a home body, but now I am gearing up for our next adventure.

Great Job on this week's Trivia Challenge ladies. Next week's will have to be a little more challenging.