HOT, HOT, HOT

The top story on all the news channels here today was the fact that today was the hottest day of the year in London – nearly 90 degrees!  That is warm by Sacramento standards, but not hot.  However, when you add the humidity and general lack of air conditioning here to the mix and you get 2 very uncomfortable travelers.  This was not the weather we were expecting at all.  They say it is supposed to rain tonight, so hopefully that brings cool temperatures with it.



My "map fan"



We went to Buckingham Palace today, but missed the Changing of the Guard.  That would have been nice to see, but that’s how it goes.  Rex also decided to be the ultimate London tourist and have his picture taken walking across the Abbey Road zebra crossing (crosswalk) just like the Beatles.  He wasn’t the only one trying the same thing.  The local drivers have to be very tolerant of the tourists doing this.  I don’t remember hearing a single horn honked at anyone the whole time we were there.

 We ended the day back at Picadilly Circus to cool off with a couple of beers and do some last chance shopping before heading to the Goat Tavern for some more fish & chips and bangers and mash for dinner.  It was just OK.  Last night’s dinner was so much better.  Afterwards, we stopped by another restaurant to try some sticky toffee pudding.  We’d seen it on a few menus before and had to give it a try.  It was very sweet as you can image, but pretty good.

Now it’s time to start packing and find out how to get to our next stop…

SEEING THE SIGHTS IN LONDON

We saw Prince William and Princess Kate today – plastered all over coffee mugs in every gift shop window we passed by.  They are stilling getting traction out of the Royal Wedding.  We got a good deal on a case of them, so you’re all getting one for Christmas!  Today was sightseeing day for us in London.  Like millions of other tourists before us, we took a ride on a double-decker tour bus.  These are cool tours because we were able to hop on and hop off of any of the buses all day long.  It also included a tour boat ride up the Thames River.

The weather in London has been sunny and hot – just like we left it in Sacramento.  We are now the proud owners matching sunburns.  Who would have thought we’d get sunburned in London of all places?  Isn’t it supposed to be dreary and raining here all the time?   

 

 We enjoyed dinner at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Barbacoa.  We tried several appetizers and small plates instead of ordering entrees.  That let us try many different things without breaking the bank.  Great food - Jamie didn’t disappoint. 

Tomorrow we will try to see a few things we didn’t get to today and hope to catch a show if possible.