British Pullman Champaign Afternoon Tea
After a relaxing Sunday morning we head for Victoria Station to board the “British Pullman” for a train ride in the country side in the style of the Golden Age of Travel. The trip is through the beautiful countryside of Kent and we enjoy our private compartment, elegant service in art deco opulence. We enjoy this ride into an elegant past period of luxury relaxing potentially intoxicating travel. Fun!
Monday is back to “work” as tourist after our daily “incredible breakfast” at our hotel. We start with a walk to Westminster Abbey the iconic church that encapsulates the history of Britain. This is Joyce and my third or fourth tour of this incredible structure, but probably our best since Laura, our guide brings the history alive.
After a “light” lunch its time for one of the highlights of the trip, a private tour of the Guard Museum conducted by a former head of the famous Royal Guard, then a chance to meet the current commander. We then witness the changing of the guard from inside the private parade grounds, before they march off to guard Buckingham Palace. What a treat!
After another “light lunch” we split up with the ladies attacking Harrods Department store and I join a local photographer to do some “street photograhy” in Londons East End.
What “Street Photography’ is all about is, capturing interesting people who make you ask the question, “I wonder what his or her life is like”. What follows is a sample:
We chatted with many of the subjects and the answer to the question were interesting, the last photo of the two men having a smoke in front of “Chill”n” turned out to be a photographer in his other life so we enjoyed our chat. It was a fun day that opens ones eyes.
Tuesday was our last full day in London and billed as a “day at liesure” , it sure didn’t seem that way to me. The ladies continued SHOPPING, wandering through the upscale London shopping district, finishing off with Selfridges, where we had lunch. In the evening we attend “The Mousetrap” which is an Agatha Chrisie, (Who done it) play that has run for 70 years. At the end the audience is sworn to secrecies about, Who done it. Great way to finish off our London experience.
I decided to sit and take a rest, before lunch, and observed “a professional shopper” in action. This attractive lady, quickly scanned the racks, picked three evening dresses, didn’t try any of them on, paid for them and left. Sounds to me like a great service. Well tomorrow, we are off to the country side, for more of our England experience.