Lovely London.... and LOTS of photos!!

LONDON! So much fun!! We stay at the Hilton right at the Gatwick Airport, and I have to admit... for as often as I fly there, I only take the train into the city maybe a third of the time I travel there... often, it's just nice to relax in my room and I've become QUITE familiar with the airport terminal shops! HA!! I love the little boutique stores, and the Marks & Spencers grocery store has become a favorite. (I always look forward to their "pasta, chicken, tomato & basil salad") But for those times that I DO want to get out?? I am fortunate to get a FREE train ticket on the Gatwick Express for the 30 minute ride to Victoria Station in the heart of London!! From there?? The sky's the limit!! I've been to the famous Harrod's department store, and recently went shopping on Oxford Street for Christmas gifts. It was as bustling as NYC!! GREAT fun!

The trains are frequent, smooth, fast and even have a beverage & snack cart that comes through... nice to be served now and then for a change!...

I will always remember my first "Double-decker" bus tour through London... it was INCREDIBLE!! It lasted over 2 hours .... and my first impression?? The city was so much BIGGER than I expected! It just went ON and ON! Absolutely beautiful!

And EVERYWHERE I go there is STARBUCKS!! Look what we started! ha! A Mint Mocha in the winter? Divine!

Hyde Park was beautiful and quite a gathering place... I look forward to taking a picnic there this coming summer...

Another definite "must do" in the future? The London Eye ferris wheel... it stands over 400 feet tall, and takes 30 minutes for a full circle ride. The views are said to be up to 25 miles on a clear day... ahhhhh... that's the secret... getting a clear day in London! grin!

The "London Bridge"??? No, but most of us tourists think that it is... the London Bridge is really just a basic bridge... this Tower Bridge is more eye-catchting though...

I always love and appreciate the "old" and the "new" of the architecture while traveling overseas.

Westminster Abby Church... another great tour to look forward to.....

Big Ben... such a lovely sight!

Always more fun to be had with a great crew! Rosemary (on the left) and I stay in touch... she is from Atlanta, GA, and a true "southern belle". It didn't rain the day we toured, but it was windy and cold... how do you like our free "slickers"??



And what would a day in London be without "fish and chips" at a local Pub??

Buckingham Palace... I'd love to go back and see the "changing of the guards" sometime.

My very first London crew.... as I've said before, a crew can make a trip "fun"... or "very long"... I'm so glad that this one was wonderful!! Many happy memories and I always enjoy running into them at the airport or in the crew room... I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of London! (p.s... remember to click on the photo, is you want to enlarge them! ) xo Jackie