Tower of London, Changing of the Guard, Globe Theater

What an incredible day!!! It started off with a private tour of the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels!  We were so lucky to be able to go in by ourselves. We had a great history lesson and we could actually hear the guide!  We were also able to spend real time viewing the Crown Jewels rather than being rushed along by a mass of humanity!  By the time we left, there was a 45 minute wait to get in to see the Jewels!  We had a wonderful Warden-- the lady in the red outfit -- was our guide 6 years ago and we had her again today. She is the first and only female Warden who lives at the tower.  Her name is Moira and she was wonderful!  We were even treated to scones, tea, coffee and pastries after our tour of the Jewels.  Moira took us up in the Tower to a "board room" that was set with all the aforementioned "goodies"!

After this wonderful tour, our guide took us to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  We also were able to see the Changing of the Horse Guard!  Walking to see the Horse Guard, we passed a huge entourage filming a TV show, Top Gear, with about 100 unusual cars...After  the guard changing and listening to the regimental band, we went to one of the oldest London Pubs for lunch, The George Inn, which had delicious "pub" food.

Then we were off again to Shakespeare's Globe Theater which is currently rehearsing Macbeth.  We actually saw the actors rehearsing their spots and movements on the stage. The Globe is an outdoor theater.  When asked what happens when it rains, we were told the show just continues...it's really only the stage and the actors who would get wet.  Most of the seats are under a roof.  There is a "standing only" area where people purchase tickets to see the Elizabethan plays, but they stand for the three hour performance--- just like they did in Shakespeare's time.  

Tonight we had a GREAT treat.  Trey discovered that there was a dinner play of Faulty Towers-- the BBC TV show was one of our favorites. The original Basil Fawlty of the hotel Fawlty Towers was played by John Cleese.  In the TV series the characters were Mr. Basil Fawlty and his wife, Sybil who owned a hotel In the English countryside.    There was also a waiter from Spain (Manuel) who speaks almost no English.  The three actors that played these  characters were FANTASTIC!  It is a great show and everyone there laughed from the beginning to the end.  Everyone from age 86 to 3 laughed and enjoyed the comedy!  They were serving us dinner in "Fawlty Towers" hotel.  Actually, several of us complained our cheeks hurt from laughing so hard and so much!! It was a GREAT, fun evening and we would all highly recommend this dinner theater--The Torquay Suite Theater at the Charing Cross Hotel!!  Gaby LOVED the show and the actors, (particularly Brian) who played Manuel, loved her!!  He came to our table after the interactive show was over and said he was so taken with her that he missed some of his cues!!!

Tomorrow we are off to Wimbledon (Bill, Mimi, Mary, Grant and me) while Trey, Annette and Gaby continue to explore London sights.  Perhaps the zoo or the Aquarium?  They will decide tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing Center Court action tomorrow of Federer, Sharipova and Andy Murray.  Nadal  is playing the second match on Court 1 but I'm sure it will be hard to find a seat!    More tomorrow evening!  Until then, know that all, young, old and in-between are having a BLAST!

Gallery of Gaby photos with great nanny, Lucia Macarthy

Royal Ascot Races

Wow!  How much fun was today!!!  Even though the weather left a lot to be desired (windy, rainy and quite chilly) it didn't dampen our spirits at all!  We all had a wonderfully entertaining day at the Races.  This was the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot and we weren't disappointed. We enjoyed the showmanship of hats and fashion-- as well as the races!  This is definitely the UK's version of the Kentucky Derby --- right down  to the fashion display of hats and outfits!  Gentlemen must be in a suit or tails and top hat and women are to be formally attired and wear a hat at all times!  Gaby spent the day with her new friend (our nanny, Lucia).  She also had a good time!

We had a private car that drove us to the races (about an hour away).  Just as we got out of our car a big wind and rainstorm came through!!! We managed to get across the lot to our appointed Hospitality Village tent.  The hospitality tent we were in was great!  We were treated like Royalty!  Delicious food and an open bar as well as someone who placed bets for us.  They made it all so easy!  We could stay in the tent and watch the race go off on TV or you could walk up a hill and stand at the rail close to the finish line to watch!  All very exciting!  Many of us were SO close in several races, but as we all know, close (unless its 2nd or 3rd) doesn't count. As it turned out, I was the only one who won.  I won 18.60 pounds in the second race and 64.60 pounds in the last race!  Such fun!!

We got back to our lovely hotel, The Stafford in St James Place, around 7:00 pm. Gaby was certainly glad to see us, though she had a great time with her nanny.  (They went to a toy store where Gaby picked out two small toys)! We quickly changed out of our "Ascot Clothes" (and boy was it great for the girl's to get out of their dress shoes) and found our way to a spectacular Italian Restaurant, Al Duca on Duke of York Street..  Not only did we vote it our best meal so far, the staff was absolutely SUPERB!  We felt like Royalty!  We all loved the restaurant and intend to go back!  

We are off early tomorrow for a private viewing of the Crown Jewels!  So far everything has been wonderful and amazing!  I'm posting the Ascot photos.   We did see the Queen's Procession with the other members of the Royal Family that opens the day of racing.  I did get a photo of the Queen in her carriage. 

The last two photos are Trey's belated birthday cake (he attacked the strawberries) and Gaby's plush bear which she loves!  More tomorrow!  Stay tuned!

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!!