London, October 7, 2026

Brayden (Scott's son, Sue's grandson) and I are in London celebrating his completion of a master's degree in August. On Sunday we flew from St. Louis to Toronto then to London, arrived on Monday, and checked into this cosy VRBO flat in Notting Hill. Our flight was about 30 minutes early, something that rarely happens. We had a late lunch/dinner at an outdoor cafe a short walk from the flat and made it an early evening having essentially lost a night. (Neither of us could sleep on the plane more than a couple of hours.)

Yesterday we walked and walked, took several trains, and saw some of the places we had selected--Buckingham Palace, China Town, Piccadilly Circle, Leicester Square and the statue of The Bard, Green Park, the Wellington Arch, and spent a lot of time on a tour of Westminster Abbey. 

Today, jet lag got me, and we didn't get moving until around noon. First, of course, a long walk to a Starbuck's for coffee.  (We have no coffee in the flat.) Then a tube ride to the British Museum where we walked around with hundreds of other people for a few hours. Brayden was intent on seeing the Rosetta Stone, which we did. From there it was a short walk to have a fine dinner in Bloomsbury then a train ride to the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden where we saw the musical, "The Lion King." Quite a happening! The theater holds 2100 people, and it was packed. The high-energy production got a standing ovation--well deserved! Covent Garden is the area with many fine stores including a very large Apple Store. From there, more Tube rides and back at our flat.  A wonderfully exhilarating and exhausting day.

Westminster Abbey

Where kings and queens are crowned

British Museum

The Rosetta Stone