Pussy Cat ... Pussy Cat ... Where Have You Been?

I've been to London to visit the queen!

We arrived safe and bright eyed and bushy tailed. Actually, we were sorta draggin' when we got here. Our flight from Salt Lake to Newark NJ was hot and crowded and I had to sit in a middle seat. Let me tell you .... a middle seat for a fat girl is pretty miserable. Oh blessed surgery ... can't wait to fly again when I don't need a seat belt extender!

Our flight from Newark to London was marvelous. We sat on the back row with 41 teenagers from Georgia who were going on a three week European vacation. They had a lot of energy but were good kids during the flight. We had the middle three seats to ourselves so we could stretch out and enjoy the ride. Each person had their own entertainment system in the back of the seat in front of them. We had over 300 movies we could choose from and they didn't even cost! Even though we were tired we both stayed up during the entire flight watching movies. I watched Bride Wars and Benjamin Button. I really liked Benjamin Button but it seemed like a really, long movie! Bride Wars was cute, but glad that I didn't pay to see it.

A little rummy after being up all night. Actually, they fed us dinner on the plane, turned off the lights for about two hours, turned on the lights and fed us breakfast to make us believe that we really had a full night. Everyone says to stay on London time when we arrive, so we did, sorta!

Notice we have no luggage! Everyone told us to pack light, so we did. All we had when we arrived was my backpack and Lynn's computer! Both of our suitcases were unaccounted for. Can you believe it ... both of them ... matching bags! Ooooh, my good ring was in one of them. Boy I'd better get it back!

Checked in at a very nice hotel right across the street from the Royal Mews. That's the queen's stables where the royal carriages and horses are kept. We arrived here around 9:00 a.m. but it was too early to check into our rooms so we decided to walk around and visit the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

It was really a neat sight ... not very many visitors and a great time to take pictures. We were told to come back at 11:00 to see the changing of the guards at 11:30 a.m. Now ... I'm going to say something, but I don't mean to offend my British friends because we really loved the ceremony. But really ... does it take 1 1/2 hours to change 4 guards with a lot of tromping and stomping and walking back and forth? By this time there was a massive crowd in front of the entire palace. I was wedged, and I do mean wedged between a pillar and the woman in front of me. Then I had someone ... couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman balancing his/her camera on my head to take pictures. Someone kept brushing up against my backpack and I was sure I was being robbed!

The best part of the ceremony was the bag pipes! I have to admit ... I shed some tears hearing them play. I thought of Carrie Cudney and how she plays the bagpipes. Carrie, I want you to play the bagpipes at my Funeral .... Amazing Grace, please!

Did I endure the entire ceremony? Yes ... there was no way for me to turn around to get out of my corner. I was stuck! Am I glad I saw the changing of the guards? Yes! Would I want to see it again? Perhaps if I were sitting on a chair from the balcony of the palace.

Something interesting about the changing of the guards. The guards wearing the furry black hats and red jackets were changed with some military personnel not wearing the traditional garb. We walked back to the palace tonight after 9:00 and saw the 4 lonely military men still standing guard in the dark, standing as still as can be. Around 10:00 p.m. we started back to the hotel and noticed no guards standing at their posts. They were gone ... silently in the night ... no pomp and circumstance ... no bag pipes and marching military band ... just gone. It was kinda sad.

Oh ... the queen was there because her flag was flying on the palace. I must call her tomorrow to see if we can take tea together!

This is the lift (elevator) to our room. We could squeeze 4 (max) in the lift ... no luggage or personal items. The hallway to our room is narrow and the floors squeak and they're slanted. It's a really, really old hotel, but very royal. Our bed looks like it's made for the King ... valance over the top with a royal crest inlaid into the headboard. Neat ... I feel like royalty! The bathroom is so small I have to turn sideways to get into the door ... seriously .. and the door knob has bruised me a few times in my hip! Oh blessed surgery ... please hurry!

Tah, tah ... it's almost midnight, London time. We're going to our royal sweet for some sweet dreams. See you tomorrow!