First Day in London

Our flight was uneventful. We left on time and had no problems, other than the lady in the row in front of us being very needy. We had upgraded to the premium seats which means that we had a little more leg room and wider seats. Plus we got preflight champagne and real silverware with dinner. We circled over London a few times and I got some city pictures.

When we arrived we took the train into town and then killed a couple of hours in Kensington Park waiting for it to be late enough to check in. We met a nice couple from Oregon who had just gotten off a cruise. David got to identify many of the trees and birds in the park with his phone apps. It was sunny and warm so I think half of London was in the park. We saw kids playing soccer and rugby, a ballerina practicing her routine, and lots of sunbathers. One thing we noticed was that the dogs of London are well behaved. None were on a leash in the park, but they all trotted right behind their owners and didn’t run off, even with lots of other dogs around.

After check-in in our “not quite camping level” apartment (it’s tiny and old and not very clean, but cheap), we went to Kensington Palace then Westminster Abbey for evensong. Evensong was amazing. We sat between the choir/organ and altar and loved the service. It was a wonderfully moving experience.

After we walked to Buckingham Palace where they are preparing for the Platinum Jubilee.

Then ate dinner a Georgian restaurant. I had pear lemonade and David got a Georgian beer. Excellent food in a tiny hole in the wall restaurant.

Tomorrow we see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 & 2 (5 hrs of performances)!