Jolly Old England

So here we are in London, having mostly recovered from our Jet lag... all except Grant, who faithful Heat fan that he is, found an American sports bar that was broadcasting the Championship game live at 2:00 am.  I will give him credit , he was up and on time for our morning private tour of Parliament.

First, however, I must talk a little about our departure.  One of our group, I promised not to give out names, boarded the plane and as they were reading the itinerary, realized they should have checked their luggage all the way through to London, not just Miami... It cost this person $60. 00 because they did not read the itinerary.  That was mistake #1.  Next, after deplaning and heading to baggage claim to claim the luggage in order to recheck it, as the doors closed on the tram, she saw the sign  that said "baggage claim"!  Oops!  That was mistake # 2.  Next, she was searching for a ladies room, and being in a bit of a hurry, she rushed in to see a gentleman standing there who was quite surprised to see her.. After a shocked expression, he began smiling while she beat a hasty retreat.  Mistake #3.  The next error was Annette's. Being a little tired, she dressed Gaby in her sweater (photo below) but she put it on upside down.  Mistake #4.  Mistake #5 occurred when a nameless someone went into the shower to freshen up, but didn't put down the window shade.  As she steps out of the shower she sees a gentleman just across the way looking over and smiling.  Opps, mistake # 5.   I have now stopped counting!!!

Our tour this morning was amazing.  It was with a gentleman by the name of Michael Skelton--the "Keeper of the Doors" for over 30 years for the House of Lords. And the stories he can tell!!!  He actually held Margaret Thatcher's purse when she entered the House of Lords because it was forbidden to bring a purse into the Chamber.  He knew many of the Lords over the last thirty years and had several funny stories about quite a few of them...He also told us the origin of the phrase "head count".  After someone had been beheaded, it was the custom to put the head on a pike and put it on Tower Bridge. Each morning, the warden of the bridge would come out and do a "head count" of the heads on the bridge..  Suffice it to say, everyone was thoroughly entertained and educated about the House of Commons and the House of Lords!  It was a fascinating history lesson!

Tonight, while Gaby stayed with her wonderful baby sitter, the rest of us attended the play "Let It Be" at the Savoy Theater.  None of us was expecting what the evening would be!  A Reincarnation of the Beatles era of music!  Duffy attended her first "rock concert".  The show is an amazing rendition of all the Beatles music through the years!  Everyone enjoyed the show.  Duffy and Grant were the two generations who knew who  the Beatles were, but didn't really know the songs. But for everyone else, including Trey and Annette, we knew, loved and sang the songs right along with the musicians -- the reincarnated Beatles!  The audience was on their feet clapping and singing!  Awesome show.  A must see if you get to London and have lived through that era!

Tomorrow it's Royal Ascot!  Our hats are out and our outfits are pressed and ready!  We've been watching the exciting races on TV!  Yesterday, we saw the Queen's horse win the most important and prestigious race, the Gold Cup.  It was the first time a reigning Monarch has EVER had a horse win that race!  The Queen was so excited!! Normally she presents the Cup, but this year, her son, Andrew, presented the Cup to her!  Everyone was quite excited for this piece of racing history ! 

We hope the weather continues to hold!  We've only had a few sprinkles and it has been quite mild and very pleasant.

I can't end the blog without saying Congratulations to all loyal Heat fans!!! I have to confess, I could not stay awake for the "live" contest!  I kept waking up and checking on the score that was being sent by text to me from Arlene Feen --loyal fan that she is!  Grant, however, gets the fan award!  Even though we all had jet lag from arriving yesterday, he managed to find a sports cafe that was broadcasting the game live starting at 2:00am.  It was a thrilling victory for all Heat fans!  Wow!  What a game!  The rest of us saw the replay of the game this afternoon.  

More tomorrow after our day at Royal Ascot!  We had a tip to support Black Cavier  tomorrow. Not sure what race, but I will put a few pounds on him!

PS. Gaby LOVES the Little Einstein Rocket ship with its characters that the Concierge managed to find for us!  AND, can you believe they are actually putting names on the Diet Coke  bottles over here-- hence the photo of the one named "Jen" -- even if it is missing an "n" -- it's fun to see a coke bottle with your name on it!!