billbauer

We used the tube a lot today.  While maybe old hat to others, the tube system has a new wrinkle for me.  Gone are the days either paying in cash or buying and loading funds onto a Oyster card.  The London subway now uses contactless credit cards.  You tap the card upon entering and leaving each station.  Payment is charged to the card and the system keeps track of daily and weekly usage and the price is capped at the maximum daily or weekly rate.  No more worrying about what is the best option.  I'm told that all US AMEX cards work and "most" US Visa cards work.  But they have to be the contactless cards.  And each person needs a different card.  Two people can't ride on one card.  It is a great system.  Of course, you still have to MIND THE GAP. Our excursion today takes us to Kew Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO world heritage site, of 330 acres located in southwest London.  The Gardens has many species of plants and flowers from all ove

After arriving at our hotel a little after 9am and being allowed to immediately check into our room, our next main objective of the day is to stay awake.  The longer we can stay awake today, the better the time adjustment is likely to be.  That means we need to do something outside, it is not a good day for museums.  So off we go on one of those "hop on, hop off" bus rides.  It is pretty bland but it keeps us in the fresh air and awake.  We have been to London before and have done some of the touristy things like the London Eye, Parliament (notice that Big Ben is shrouded in scaffolding) and Westminster Abbey. We notice throngs of people surrounding the Abbey.  It is the Monday after Easter (remember the time delay) and it is a "bank holiday" in Britain.  The streets are literally crowded with people, presumably on holiday.  This is another reason to avoid the museums today. This is as close as you or us will get to Buckingham Palace on this trip. Spr

First, in order to comply with journalistic ethics, which to some may seem like an oxymoron, this blog series is being published with a one-week time delay.  The actual trip took place exactly one week earlier.  Since we are mostly up late going to theatre, I have decided to save the late night photo import and review until we return.  Just pretend that we are currently on the trip even though we returned home safely yesterday afternoon.  There is the spoiler. Also to avoid your disappointment later, you should know that I have left the "big camera" at home.  All photographs have been taken with either the Sony RX100v or my iPhone XS. ONE WEEK THEATRE JAUNT TO LONDON Bev and I left this afternoon for London on a five night (six counting the night in an airplane seat) excursion to London.  As is usual and customary, I have to include the photo of Beverly in the Sky Club at MSP.  Thanks, Meredith, for the lift to the airport. We are using "miles tickets"