Melissa Ann Goodwin

Melissa Ann Goodwin

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Part One of our trip to England and Wales: Two days in London

It's culture shock for sure - we are back in Elkhart, Indiana now, while we await the remaining repairs on our RV. If you've been traveling along with me, you'll recall that we've had trouble with the hydraulic levelers from the get-go. Well, before he headed to England, we had the whole system replaced. Upon our return, you guessed it - they malfunctioned again. Tomorrow those things are coming out and that's the end of it!!

On a happier note, our trip to England and Wales was wonderful in every way - more wonderful than I could have expected. I'm going to share it with you in segments, beginning with our first two days in London.



First we checked into our hotel - the Chesterfield Mayfair, which is about a 10 minute walk from Buckingham Palace


Here is RVPainter, relaxing in the hotel pub


On day one, we hopped on the Hop On-Hop Off bus that takes you all around the city. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with London, and you can get off at major attractions and get back on again.

Riding on the double decker hop on-hop off bus. Notice the blue skies we brought with us!

Big Ben

Taken from London Bridge - that's the London Eye on the right

Tower Bridge

The water gate at the tower of London - prisoners were brought through this gate to be imprisoned in the Tower.

This glass "coffee table" replaced what used to be the wooden chopping block where folks were beheaded.


RVPainter isn't sure what to do with this

Westminster Abbey



On day two, we spent the morning waiting outside Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards. That pretty much took up the whole morning! In the afternoon, it rained, so we hopped back on the bus and just rode around.

On day three, we took the train to Bath - here we're at Paddington Station waiting for the train.

Next stop: Bath, England!

16 comments:

  1. Anonymous9/16/2012

    The water gate gives me shivers. Can you imagine the thoughts running through a prisoners head as they approached it.

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    1. Doesn't it???? No - I can't imagine! I have to go back and watch Anne of the Thousand Days - they bring Anne Boleyn through those gates...

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  2. Anonymous9/16/2012

    Those are some great photos. You've got a picture of practically every London icon there! Glad you had some good weather too :-)

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    1. We totally take credit for the weather! Two weeks in England and Wales, and only one half day of rain!!!

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  3. What wonderful photos! Can't wait to see the rest of the trip!

    Glad you're home safe, but sorry to hear your still having RV troubles! How frustrating!

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    1. Arrggghh. I am so glad to get those things off!! I think that sometimes the low tech options are the best - we'll go with some kind of hand crank thingy!

      I've been working on my article all morning and should have it to you in a day or two!

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  4. Very nice trip! I enjoyed seeing your photos.

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    1. thanks my friend. more to come... we had SUCH a wonderful time - the best is yet to come!

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  5. How lovely. I remember when we had phone booths like the one RVPainter was ensconced in. It has been a while. Thank you for this tour - I am looking forward to the rest. As for those levellers....!!!

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    1. As for those levelers .... we leave in a half hour to go and have them removed. Good riddance!!! Keeping it simple! Making it easy!!

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  6. Great photos. I've only been to London twice, and both times Big Ben had scaffolding around it!

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  7. Dear Melissa, so glad you're back blogging after having enjoyed such a wonderful trip. But sorry to learn that you came back to a RV that is still malfunctioning. The photographs take me back to my 1976 trip to England. No "London Eye" then! Peace.

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    1. Hopeful that we are close to the end of the repairs and will be back on the road next week. Fingers and eyes crossed!

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