Kari dropped mom, G-money and myself off at terminal 1 for our flight to London. We dropped off our bags and headed to security. I tried to sneak mom into the TSAprecheck line but the TSA agent was having none of that. He must have sensed trouble. Back the full length of MSP to the standard TSA security line. Grace and I cruised through but TSA flagged Gandma Eva for additional bag inspection. I assumed it was a bottle of whiskey. Some of you might think Grace stashed some safety scissors in Grandma Eva’s bag given our last international incident.
Keeping America safe. Maybe you can feel how nervous Grandma Eva was at this moment. Post Office photos here we come.
Luckily it wasn’t safety scissors or illegal contraband, just a rice heating pack for knee arthritis. Crisis everted.
We made it over to gate G and met up with the Newmans. Grace was very relieved to see Marissa.
I needed a beer. SKOL!!!! BABY!!!! We might just get out of Minnesota.
The boarding process was smooth. I tried to hide my face from the facial recognition camera. According to The NY Times my data may be at risk for no good reason. Mostly, I just like to complain.
Locked and Loaded. Is everyone happy with their travel buddy?
The answer to that question is no. Grandma Eva sat by someone who told her to put some headphones on and relax. The guys said he wasn’t on the plane to make small talk and that she should just watch the Sound of Music and relax. Grandma Eva eventually agreed to do so only after negotiating the use of some Bose quiet comfort headphone. This left the poor man watching Avengers: End Game with crackly Delta head phones. Grandma Eva handles the take off well and seemed pretty relaxed. A little turbulence over the Atlantic white knuckled her for 30 min but overall she did very well.
Eva stop ordering so much beer. This is a long flight
We finally landed in London at approximately 8 AM. We navigated customs fairly well. We found our bags and head to the Hotel Sofitel Heathrow. Super nice and very convenient with a Disney transfer to the boat tomorrow morning. One room was ready so we dropped are bags and made some adjustment for the heat and prepared to head out to Central London.
Grandma Eva said she was excited to see how all the work for her high school classmates turned out on Westminster Abbey.
Tube passes purchased and on our way. 40 minutes on the tube from Heathrow to Green Park. No pictures from the train ride into London ‘cause I was cat napping.
The gates at the edge of Green Park. Buckingham Palace and the statues in the turnabout in the background. Grace and Marissa are ready to go!!
The Newmans are in front of Buckingham Palace.
Grandma Eva, Marissa and G-Money at Buckingham Palace.
The crest on the gates at Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace. The queen was not there to greet us.
Grandma Eva in front of the Queen Victoria memorial
Queen Victoria Memorial in all its glory
From Buckingham we headed to Westminster Abbey. We made a couple stops along the way.
Advanced Warning Grandma Eva is in the Kingdom. Boris Johnson you better be ready. The Right Honorable John Bercow say... “ORDER, ORDER!!!
Near the Guard House. Note this is not an actual guard.
This crew is taking England by storm.
Street view from London. It is Risky Buisness hanging with Grandma Eva. Luckily these two have her back.
London Calling!!!! Should we stay or should we go.
Grandma Eva and Westminster Abbey!!!
Westminster Abbey
Marissa!!! I have to get a picture of this!!! Who are the saints carved on this wall??? Can you guess what each of these people are thinking.
No pictures are allowed in the main abbey but I took a couple from the door ways.
Stained glass near our enterance
Arch way near the courtyard
The courtyard at Westminster Abbey
Prayer candles at Westminster
Grace, Marisa and Mom lighting prayer candles for those in need of a little divine intervention. (KA,AJ)
Leaving Westminster. I have been to a lot of beautiful church. This place is amazing.
Big Ben under construction and Parliment in the back. Grandma Eva and the Newmans living the dream.
Grandma Eva and Grace with one of the horse guards
The Newman’s and the London Eye
Mom and Wendy enjoying the River Thames
From there we head to Trafalgar Square. For a little lunch/dinner.
Tafalgar Square and the Nelson Column.
We had some traditional Fish and Chips at the Admiralty.
Fish and Chips. Marissa and Grace both tried a little.
At the restaurant. Breaking down the menu and the route home.
After lunch. We took the to to Picadilly Circus. One connection, which we made expertly and we were head back to the hotel. We hopped of at Harrington Station to make the final connection to our stop
No caption needed.
These girls are tired.
The train ride was uneventful. I teased at Man U fan about their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace. At the End, Grandma Eva couldn’t get through the last tube gate before it closed on her. We contemplated leaving her behind but the London Authorities showed her to a side gate. She initially refused to use it but eventually we talked her through it and everyone was at the hotel safe and sound.
Grace and I went to the bar for a beer and the end of the Liverpool vs Arsenal game. (Peter B will continue to be unbearable until the Reds are defeated)
Great day. Tomorrow we have a long bus ride and then we get in the boat.
Ahoy Maties!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment