Jetlagged in London

After planning this trip for over a year, we were stoked to board the plane and let the journey begin. At 2015 it all began.

Now let me tell you, Air Canada is not all it is cracked up to be (or is it?) Cheap tickets equals cheap service. Onboard the 1983 Spruce Goose, we tried to settle in seats obviously built for midgets. People were clearly smaller in 1983. Claire pre-ordered a "special" vegetarian meal, but out of two meals, the only edible portion was the ice cream, oh and a little rice. She was also served a vegetarian breakfast, which was completely different, despite neither of them containing any meat. The only highlight of the flight, was being offerend one free serving of booze, which in Claire's case was wine and did not taste significantly different from wine.

Besides the cardboard meals, recirculated air, and three hours of numb-legged sleep, we arrived safely in London at 1315 the following day. We were somewhat groggy, but excited to be in a new country. We navigated our way through Heathrow, aka a small city, to the underground where we took the Picadilly line to Hammersmith, then the 220 bus to Chris and Laura's in Fulham, London. Tea was waiting - Brits are so civilized. After showering, we felt somewhat human again and took a sunny walk along the Thames to Putney Bridge.

It is difficult to describe Chris and Laura other than to say that their hospitality is fantastic. We had an attic room with a view, internet, our own bathroom, and a tray of tea things so we could have tea in bed in the morning. Home cooked meals every night. Claire even apprenticed and learned to cook shortbread and crumble. Yum.

The first day we managed to tour London a bit. We took the 74 bus to Knightsbridge, where we went to Harrods. All senses were overwhelmed, this store has high-end EVERYTHING, and occupies five stories of an entire city block. Doors were opened for us. Put it this way, there was even an opera singer in one of the many escalator areas. We were afraid to touch anything, and got a few strange looks for wearing flip-flops in one of London's fanciest stores. This place has a dress code.

Next we went to Hyde Park, and stopped by Buckingham Palace for a spot of tea with the Queen. Then we walked through St. James Park, no we did not pass Go or collect 200 dollars.

Our last stop was Big Ben and the parliament buildings, where we did not see the funny looking watchmen with their big hats, but there was a securty guard holding two machine guns. By then it had turned cold, so we headed home for yet another, you guessed it, spot of tea.

That night we went to the Blue Anchor with Edward and Laura (Chris and Laura's son and his gf, confusing I know), where we had REAL pints and inhaled real smoke.

The next two days we spent lounging at Chris and Laura's since the jetlag caught up with Taylor and he was struck with various ailments from a sore throat to a stomach flu. Poor thing. He could hardly get out of bed. It was nice to slow down though and rejuvinate after the craziness of exams and moving. Meanwhile Claire and Laura (senior) bonded over tea and shortbread, and Taylor slept and talked football with Chris and Edward.

And so, we didn't see much of London, but thankfully, it is the only place we will visit twice. We will be back in July before our we head home.

Monday, we were kindly escorted to Paddington Station, where we boarded the Great Western Train service to Totnes.