Some Thoughts and Confessions

I've been on the road now for 42 days and frankly, it is wearing me down. My enthusiasm for sight seeing is waning and what a shame that is, since I am in London. Now that I have gained more experience as a trip planner, I would have done this trip differently. I loved Ireland and I truly miss being there. The people were such a joy and my Dublin base allowed me to meet people and stave off being lonely as a solo traveler. I think it would have been wiser to go home instead of coming to London. I really misjudged my level of energy and have a case of travel fatigue.

The student housing where I am staying provides a reasonably priced more than adequate room.

And though it does have a common room, it is pretty much empty of travelers. I think I am the oldest person in the building....and the "kids" are either working or studying for the summer. So far the only person I have talked with is the security guy who is really a sweetheart. The area is nice and non-touristy. The tube is about a 15 minute walk and there are buses running regularly. All that looked good "on paper" but is turning out to be lonely and I'm too tired to do much about it.

I have another week in London and plan to see some more of the sights. I know when I get home, I will regret not having seen more of London but I can live with that. Who knows, I may just be having a bad day and will wake up in the morning raring to go! For tonight, it feels like "I stayed too long at the Fair".....an old song I remember.

P.S. The picture is a painting I bought from a street artist.

My London Neighborhood

I took a walk around the neighborhood today. Didn't find the street market I wanted to due to a downpour that kept me indoors until late afternoon. The sun came out about 5 PM and so I grabbed my camera and took some pics.

Day on the Thames

Wow, the sun came out, I got to take a Thames River Cruise, I bought a "walking stick", took a bus tour around town and the pictures tell the story.

Some things I've been learning about London. Very difficult town if you don't do stairs. The Tube
(their subway) is the worst for stairs and no lifts. (that is UK speak for elevator). I also found out after walking around with an empty plastic bottle in my hand, that they do not put refuse bins in place because they can hold bombs, Yikes!
I finally broke down and bought a walking stick. I purchased it at the same shop, endorsed with the Royal Seal, that the royals buy their fly fishing and other outdoor equipment. My "stick" adapts to many sizes so if I want to appear athletic I can make it long and ramble along like a mountaineer. If my knee keeps buckling and collapsing (as it is doing with increasing regularity), I can bring it down to, dare I even say it, cane size. I managed all the stairs yesterday with my new companion and today I am not destroyed! My new companion is also great for keeping me steady on the cobblestone streets...which BTY I see being navigated quite skillfully by young women in very high heels....it is the best street performance in town!

I also spent some time on Oxford Steet...fashion row. I even found a shop catering to we larger gals. I couldn't resist, I bought a top and just pretended the 32 I paid for it was Dollars not Pounds. I will see the folly of my ways when I get my credit card statement. London is uber expensive....but I only have about 9 more days here and a "lifetime" to payoff the credit card. Right Dan??

Today, my new companion and I are going to walk down the street to find the Camden Passage market, right here in my neighborhood. I've never been very good at rooting through stuff, I like it sized and hung on hangers, but when in London.....street markets are the cool thing....perhaps a treasure awaits.

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to go to Church at St. Paul's Cathedral. 11:30 Eucharist. Nice to be able to worship in the Mother Church for Episcopalians.....even a few of us fallen ones. BTW...I have to stop eating soon.....I'm so impessed by the fruit, veggies, bread, cheese and puddings (UK speak for dessert) that I have been bringing a new bag of goodies home every day. I mean, how bad can it be with no meat??? That damn scale at home is just waiting to laugh hysterically when I take my first step on it. A day of reckoning for sure....but I am the "master of denial".....so my shopping bag and I are not through yet! "...miles to walk before I eat..."

My Day in Dalkey

Sunday I took the train out to Dalkey to see the "posh" little town where so many celebrities live.

Plus it is the town PJ, my B&B co-owner comes from and he told me it was the "only place my picture is on the wall". So Off I went to see the sights. It is a charming little town and PJ's picture is on the wall of the Club Pub....I went in to see and had the joy of being the only women in the place. The men were charming and I enjoyed a pint before I left so they could get back to their bawdy conversation. The pictures I'm posting will give you an idea of this lovely little town.

New Adventure Beginning

I'm in Wales waiting for a train. Just took a 3 hour ferry ride across the Irish Sea....beautiful. The sun is shining, my cold seems to be almost gone and I'm getting my travel mojo back.

I have a bunch of pics to download when I get settled. Spent Sunday on a train trip to the Ireland Coast. Had dinner in Dalkey....home of Mauve Binchey. Stopped in the local book shop and talked to the owner. She says Mauve is a wonderful lady but is having a bad time with arthritis and doesn't get around too well. I feel for her living in the damp climate of Ireland. I suggested the bookshop get a life size cutout of Mauve so we tourist types could have a picture with her. The owner thought it was a great idea.....Dalkey is a lovely town, very "posh" as they say over here. Apparently Enya, Bono, Mauve and other famous folks have homes there.

When I took the train back to Dublin the "football" match at the stadium had just finished and the town was wild. Lots of guinness fueled young men cheering and partying. It got a little uncomfortable with the crowds and noise but I managed. Sports fans are the same world wide, such enthusiasm.

With luck, I will be in my new London "home" in about 5-6 hours. The train ride is about 4 hours through the mountains in Wales and the English countryside. A long trip but worth it I hope. I could have flown to London but this sounded way sounded much more interesting. We'll see.

Last Weekend in Ireland

Well, what can I say. I'm sick! I think it is just a cold but I feel rotten. The cold, wet, gloomy weather isn't helping. I mean really, Weather God, it is almost August 1st. Surely somewhere in your heart you can find some sunshine for the lovely people of Ireland. God knows they make the best of it all. ... but even my Seattle training did not prepare me for this constant, dampness and grayness during the summer. Yes the shades of green are beautiful but the 40 shades of gray are not. I've only been warm enough a few days during my visit. So there it is, my truth about Ireland and the weather.

Maybe I need an antibiotic or a trip to the PUB!!

Goodby to My Austrian Friends

Sadly today I had to say goodby to my new friends from Austria. They are a young couple who have brought so much joy with them. We have laughed and laughed. What a delight to meet them. I wish them God Speed and they return to their families and real life. Who knows, maybe they will make a trip to the US at some time and we will meet again.