Taking Our Last Walk Around London

The London Underground system is quite complex and the way most Londoners get around. Adding up all the lines it is 250 miles in length. We never rented a car while there, we just rode the “tube”. There are ideas for all types of small businesses and I’m always very interested to see what creative and entrepreneurial minds have thought of. These 3 businesses were some we saw when we were finding our way out of the subway stations. They are all located near exits going into the street but are for those that are busy commuting to work and home every day.

The Oats, etc. Cafe open for breakfast…

Flowers for your sweetheart…

And an array of fruit for those who like something healthy and quick.

We spent the day by ourselves touring John Wesley’s home and chapel but we met one last time that evening with our guide.

It’s impossible to see London in a day-and-a-half. There’s just too much history here and we still had to do a little shopping for our family members who hadn’t been able to come.

But shopping for food is much more fun! 

Gelato with a touch of elegance.

Listening to a live concert of stringed instruments. It was very good.

On our whirlwind foot tour, we walked by St. James Palace, built by King Henry VIII in 1531-1536 on the former site of a leper hospital. It was the home of all the monarchs until George III purchased Buckingham House (which is known as Buckingham Palace today) in 1762.

Standing beside St. James Palace, I am holding on to a gas street light – 1 of only 1,500 still left in London.

It was during the reign of George III that they were installed by an engineer named Frederick Winsor. Before there were gas lamps, the streets were considered quite dangerous.  If you had the funds, you could hire a link boy, who was someone that would walk before you, carrying a torch. After gas lamps were installed, the streets were considered much safer.

The Canada Gate, adjacent to Buckingham Palace, is an entrance to Green Park – one of four royal parks in London.

It was given to London by Canada and since my husband is Canadian, I had to get a picture. 🙂

The Queen Victoria Memorial located in front of Buckingham Palace.

After a rather short night, it was time to go to the airport to begin our return to the United States.

The girls were not quite ready to head back to the U.S.  They had had too good of a time.

Zoe tried to console herself with some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Serenity tried to control a flood of tears and the man in back… well he must have been well entertained. 🙂

After an 8 hour flight, we arrived in Pennsylvania where our munchkins had been staying while we were overseas. It was so good to see them!

After a layover of a few hours, we boarded our flight that took us back to our home state… Arizona.

It was a wonderful time and we made so many memories traveling with my daughter and niece seeing God’s beautiful world he created, visiting historical places, meeting up with old friends, meeting new ones and experiencing the amazing DR Congo. It was all just a wonderful experience.

And after 15 posts on our trip and taking 2 months to write about it all, I AM DONE! Thank you for coming along with us on our adventures and for your encouraging comments letting me know you were reading and enjoying the posts. 🙂