Humbly giving thanks for an incredibly wonderful year with friends, experiences and good fortune.  I’m reflecting back on my June trip to the UK, where I met up with beloved friends from faraway places. 

Lovely to see you again, my friends.

London was my travel ‘hub’, meaning I passed through the city on my way to every other destination on my trip.  This is a London recap.

First destination was a lunch gathering at this restaurant.  I love how the menu resembles the album cover.  Here I ate delicious food and enjoyed catching up with old and new friends.  (This is where I learned that Apple Pie in the UK is not the same as in the US.  In the UK, the fruit filling has more of an applesauce consistency, whereas in the US it is sliced apples baked in the crust.  It is tasty both ways.) 

Then I rode the Thames Clipper to the O2 Arena, where I caught up with more friends I hadn’t seen in almost three years.

Then there was the quick trip to Bristol, and then back to London, where I spent a few more hours visiting places on my ‘London bucket list.’

I can now say, “I went to the Chelsea Drug Store.” 

The drug store is a McDonald’s now, but they’ve adorned the downstairs dining area in a great retro style; I presume a nod to the building’s role in the Rolling Stones song.

[Chelsea Drugstore reference at 3:05.]

I did a lot of walking; often past lovely rows of flats.

Caught my first glimpse ever of the Battersea Power Station.

But saw no flying pigs.

I bought a pair of earrings at the Buckingham Palace shop. 

Hung out at Bag O’Nails.

(This is not the same Bag O’Nails that was the famous Rock and Roll hangout in the 60s, but this one met my other needs, as it was on my way back from the palace store, it had wifi, coffee and food.  I had more UK apple pie ala mode. )

On my return from the Glastonbury Festival, I visited Harrods.  But just hours after having camped three nights in a tent, the culture shock was immense.  So, I didn’t stay long in the store.  Even more surprising for me, I didn’t buy a thing.

I didn’t allow myself enough time at the Victoria and Albert museum.  The collection and displays were beautiful and overwhelming. 

I need to explore the Kensington Palace grounds next time, too.  This is as close as I got. 

Lovely sights were everywhere. 

Does anyone besides me still miss the 2012 London Olympics?  It was the most enjoyable Games I’ve ever watched.  

I took a stroll through Carnaby Street. 

Then, I went to this other famous store, whose fabrics I adore.  I can’t believe I didn’t allow time to do some serious shopping here.  This is a definite do-over on my next trip to London.

Enjoyed a soup dinner at the Neal’s Yard cafe. 

The Tube is such a great way to get around.  This is a lovely skylight somewhere in the London Underground.   

A musical duo playing for donations in the Tube. 

Miscellaneous memories:

• I discovered Argos.  It was a great way to pick up a few necessities for camping at the Glastonbury Festival.
• I made numerous passes through Victoria Station.
• Left Luggage got way too much of my money.

This song and video set in London is only two years old, but immediately became one of my all-time favorite holiday songs.  Until next time, my friends.