More than 300 languages are spoken in London. Would that include redneck Bubba? It felt like we heard most of them today. So loving the hop on and off bus- whisking us around town faster than a taxie and not getting lost on the tube. Besides the view from the upper deck is a sight to behold...
Our hotel is on the Thames...south side of the embankment. Thank you Priceline and "name your own price" Mr. Shatner. Bubs did find us a conveniently located hotel and Boca did settle down with her expectations. For some reason the GM kept sending her up a bottle of wine each night while praying for no phone call from her the next morning. Smart fella.... Boca did enjoy being close to Parliament hoping to catch a glimpse of a scandal or two. She had heard the British Parliament is often referred to as the "Mother of Parliaments"- hmmm wondering what that exactly meant?
Also known for its oceanic climate- rather wet over here. Many conversations evolve around the weather- to rain or not to rain. But despite our very soggy week and it's reputation as being a rainy city, London receives less precipitation (24 in) in a year than Rome ( 33 in), Bordeaux (36 in) and Naples (40 in). Although my friend said while it may not rain "much" it rains often and continuously. Touche.
Looking like the German Blitz....loads of renovation, restoration and new stuff going up all over town...rejuvenation abounds. Lots of subterranean building going on below...tons of tunneling projects. With all the visitors and population growth a new infrastructure is needed. Gotta keep up with the city popularity translating into prosperity down the road.
Scaffolding every where....
The polar opposite of scaffolding in China, where they use bamboo to build their high rises. Bubba remarked they must have one helluva OSHA here.
And over by our hotel I am seeing Dubai on the Thames. The rise of London's Tall Buildings- 230 of them!
The Shard, The Cheese Grader, The Gherkin are we into kitchen items?
Along the slug brown waterway...yes very clean and not polluted any more but not so attractive- no sunny beaches around. Will the new towers overshadow the established London icons? Hello residential skyscrapers.
CRITERION for drinks with Lady Ellen..
A delightful Brit, we met 3 years ago via another cruising pal. Thank you Jan and Brian. As a matter of fact ingenious and entertaining Ellen had dinner at Boca's in Boca. She choose a fab place to meet for drinks-The Criterons-opened in 1873 and quite the ART NOUVEAU decor. A grand spot for PIMS. This place is even mentioned in a Sherlock Holmes story and right in Piccadilly Circus. 
No city scowl here, pure grin and happy. While Coaching maybe her profession ( her specialty is lawyers- who knew they could be coached for anything?) Ellen's true passion is out on the links- yes Golf! and she likes to play with the boys. Quite a competitor. Ellen youn must come visit us at Quail West. Our backyard is always loaded with golf balls...and about those gators and snakes and bears...never mind. Keep on swinging Tigress Woods of Sussex!
Note to Bubba- No sleep till bedtime in London. Poor man missing out on his daily nap....getting grumpy around here.
