Today we got up and out early to different destinations. Margaret and Chris went to the Tower of London and the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Linda headed out to explore our local neighborhood and to walk the Tower Bridge. I made my way to Queen Mary University where my childhood friend, Peggy Stone works. It was sweet to see each other (we think the last time was about 15 years ago) and to catch up and reminisce as only two friends who've known each other their whole lives can - about the old days in the Bronx, our summers at a family camp on the Saint Lawrence, and the challenges we face as we turn toward our seventh decades. It was also interesting to compare notes about working in a London vs. a NYC public university. We had to stop talking after three hours because Peggy had to get back to work, but we'll have some time together again before I leave. We had lunch at a pub called The Greedy Cow - why can't American eating places have such creative names?
My next stop was the London Eye (giagunda ferris wheel on the bank of the Thames) where the four intrepid travelers had agreed to meet. We said we'd meet at the ticket line - when I arrived, I realized that would be no simple business since the place was mobbed and there were two ticket lines and two queues to get on the Eye. Once again I was grateful for Linda's height in a crowd and by some miracle we also found Chris and Marg. The Eye was as spectacular as promised. The views were amazing. Well worth the madness below.
Next it was time to get on the river itself so we took a cruise from The Westminster area back to Tower Bridge.
Now back at our flat after a Tesco's prepared dinner of soup, salad and bread and ready to rest up for our next foray.