london calling

where to begin!

first by saying 

that i think everyone

should travel alone..

or at least dine alone,

see a movie alone..

just once.

i mentioned before that 

i am never alone.

and while alone

all weekend 

i found out a few things about myself.

one is that i talk to myself!

seriously!

the train ride friday evening

into london was lovely.

i hate to fly so this was a

great option for me.

i stayed at the marriott grovesner house

on hyde park.

it was a great hotel

and perfectly located.

i woke early saturday

and quickly decided that

instead of lounging, reading and 

getting pampered..

i'd much prefer to see london.

so with map in hand,

off i walked. 

and walked.

buckingham palace..

through st. james park..

to the thames river,

big ben and westminster abbey.

queen victoria

big ben

horse guards

the london eye

one of my favorite sites of the weekend

was westminster abbey.

i had the official tour and learned

so much.

no photographs inside the church

was a bummer..

but i was able to focus on the commentary.

from there i walked to 

trafalger square and then on to picadilly.

i spent many hours and british pounds

at waterstones bookstore.

i had lunch in their cafe

and bought some books

i've been wanting to read..

Dickens'..David Copperfield and 

Dombey and Sons.

Jane Austens..Mansfield Park.

Charlotte Bronte's..Jane Eyre.

I also bought a few 

Persephone books.

I was happy to learn that they were

sold not just in the Persephone bookstore

in London..

i loved walking around fortnum & mason.

i bought all things tea!

by late afternoon

i started making my way back

to the hotel..

through some quaint residential streets.

i needed to get back to get ready for

les mis!

you know my love of les mis!

seeing it in london was a dream.

at the queens theatre!

great seats!

easy to get a last minute

up close seat when you only

need one!

sunday morning..

i walked to the victoria and albert 

museum.

i spent hours there.

one of my favorite exhibits 

was fashion through the years.

the late 1800's to present..

i had a lovely lunch at the museum

and then started my walk back.

harrods

love the coats and hats

on the bellmen.

i had a few hours to kill

before my train

so i stopped to have

high tea.

what a treat!

and what a weekend.

i'm so glad i did it.

not only do i feel rested

but confident!