FAMOUSUNCLEART

I do appreciate all the comments they really boost up a tired traveler even comments about the use of orientals, I am sorry it does sound prejudice and I apologize. Please note that aren't any in the following...I hope.

Hiya Gang:

I was told by my trip planner my daughter just to take it easy and I did. I went for a stroll in the park..this park is Pilgrim's Hill built in 1843 by Henry VIII for a 'chase' which meant, he ran after little foxes on his big horse. Unlucky for the foxes but lucky for us.

Pilgrim's Hill is but a hop skip and jump from my new apartment. Central Park is a block from my house across busy CPW. Why, one took his life in his hands going to Central Park but not Pilgrim's Park. I know this since I can see from my spacious windows, moms and kids going to the park without sidearms.

I walked through all of Pilgrims Park and got to Regents Park which is probably larger than Manattan. (Everybody don't stop reading and running to goggle it, please)

I was was impressed how open the park is, you can see far distances, lines of trees at the parameter but above them buildings, all white and sparse in desgin, but the green, the pure green to my color blind eyes.

To get to Regents Park, I had to walk down a street where I saw four cabbies sitting in back of one of those huge black older cabs, drinking tea, eating sandwiches and chatting away. I tried to take a picture but they chased me away.

I took a break halfway in Regents Park and sat down and across from me was a gentleman about my age but a bit younger, he had orange sparkling jacket which lead me to believe he was a crossing guard. He was reading something, not a novel, nor a newspaper, but something official. (I wondered what would be difficult about a crossing guard) He was a neat eater and drinker, put everything back very carefully. Next to him was a folded bike.

Two young Italians walked by, stopped and looked at him, they said something in Italian and laughed and went off. It made me feel stupid and angry but I got up and left. I was hungry.
Some scenes as I walked: an old brown poodle walked slowly behind his ancient owner who stopped to make sure the poodle was still walking, a young boy bullying two Japanese children, a daughter about six or seven, chasing her mother who was riding the child's orangey colored scooter, a water fountain which looked like a church steeple, a gift from an Indian family for the help they received from the Btits, I could smell fish and chips but it was from the London Zoo which borders the park.

I finally got to the cafe called Honest Sausage, free range and free spirit. Those of you who know I cannot passs a hot dog stand without salivating, went in got a huge sausage, dark mustard in a roll the size of a subway, a diet coke (of course) and was happy having taken a quiet day away from the hustle and busle of New York...oops I mean London.

Thanks all

Art (The famous uncle

SandyBrit

FAMOUSUNCLEART - I looked forward all day to reading this when I got home. I love your spirit and attention to small details. You did not disappoint.

Please keep us informed about the shower. Glad you were not burned or hurt from jumping back. One time in NYC it took me forever to figure out how to turn the shower on. One of the previous guests had written a note in the guest book that the trick was to pull down on the ring. It took me forever to figure out that the ring was attached underneath the tap (faucet).

Keep it coming.

Sandy

ira

Hi Unc,

Glad to hear you are well and enjoying London.

Will you be hiring the Chinese gentleman to help you get the suitcase down?

indytravel

Hi Uncle Art!

Nice to hear you're still house exchanging. I hope you have a great trip. And keep posting!

FAMOUSUNCLEART

Before I begin, if you read my previous email about the park you should remember that I saw an interesting older man with orange jacket, I thought he was a crossing guard. He is a person hated by the British who drive, he gives out parking tickets. And he looked like a nice old man.

"Notting Hill" is one of my favorite films. I am not about to argue why I like this Cinderella story where Hugh Grant is Cinderella and Julia Roberts is the Prince. It is no surprise that it is filmed in Notting Hill (at least the exteriors).

Me the hardened film critic and ex producer just had to find the places where Notting Hill was shot. This will surprise some of you but I am a bit of a sentimental man. I got up early, I even shaved since, hey, you never know, I might run into Julia.

I detrained the tube at Notting Hill Gate and immediately looked for someone to tell me how to find the scenes of my dreams. I stood at the exit steps and there were signs reading "Portebello Street" with an arrow showing the proper exit.

My heart pounding I followed the crowd, actually the crowd picked me up and took me with them--remember I may be a spry 78 but not that spry. I didn't mind since I knew I would see the place where Hugh bumps into Julia and spills coffee au lait all over her white blouse.

Wrong! Wrong! Much to my dismay, they were going to a sales fair! I did what I usually do when I am wrong, I pretend I'm not. With my acute acting skills I pretended I was a shopper. (You know I will not buy a thing!)

I stopped at a doll's house stand, admiring all the minute furniture etc. A woman, early forties, had a small package in her hand with 6 teeny weenie flowered cups in it. She whispered to me, "They want six pounds for these cups. Don't you think that's a bit much." I said, "Yes, haggle with her you can probably get it for much less." She replied sheepishly "I don't know how to haggle."

At this point, I had a problem. I too, unlike my 1st and 2nd wives, cannot haggle but I didn't want to admit it. I told her to go ahead. She spoke to the sales lady who quickly snapped 'it's six pounds, nothing less.' She turned to me and asked if it's six pounds. I told her yes and walked off.

Actually, the Portobello Market is kind of fun if you don’t plan to buy anything. They had every possible to sell from jewelry, books, clothes, to fancy Garded clocks for 88 pounds, a shop called "Oi!" which I don’t quite understand.

I did get a free head massage but refused to buy some elixir of life. Bought a Coke Light and almost bought some T-shirts with funny and dirty jokes printed on them, but at 3 shirts for ten pounds it wasn't worth. Hell, I have enough funny sayings without buying them.

I left there and went to the Baker Street Stop and searched for 221/2 (is that the right house number) the home of Sherlock Holmes. It came as a shock to me that there was a statute of Holmes in front of the Underground stop!!! I wanted to shout that he isn't real. I paused and thought of Disneyland and Mickey and dropped the whole thing.

There was a 22 1/2 / Baker Street (an address which did not exist) with a museum. I spent five pounds to go through a museum about someone who didn't exist and did not live. I felt like one of Sherlock's many victims.

Elena

Well, Famous Unclear T (I used to think that was your name!), you looked for Julia but found Sherlock. I hope you get to see your Notting Hill scenes eventually. Enjoying your report.

Lovejoy

I think Sherlock Holmes digs were at 221B Baker street

AnnAussie

My favourite Uncle!!! I love your stories!

ira

Hi unc,

> I spent five pounds to go through a museum about someone who didn't exist and did not live.<

I don't know who told you that, but it's wrong.

Although he is now about 151 years old, Mr Holmes is still alive and living on the Sussex Downs, where he tends bees and continues to work on his book.

Unfortunately, 221B Baker Street no longer exists.

FAMOUSUNCLEART

What's View, Chap? D-Day Remembrance?
I don't know a spot in Manhattan where you can see a view of most of the city. It's not in Central Park or is it? I'm not talking about a view from a tall building, but on the ground.
This past Sunday, I went into Pilgrim's Hill up the path which leads to "View Site" as it says at the entrance of the Park map.

It was a long climb to the view but (you know what's coming) it was worth it. Atop the hill were a gaggle of gawkers or a variety of viewers. I thought at first this was a spot to meet fellow tourists from the US of A. Wrong, once again. The tourists were from different parts of the UK and a few from Asia.

At the center of the viewing area was a metal engraved sign pointing out the different buildings. It was a cloudy day, a bit over cast but it made for easy viewing since you didn't have to fight the sun. There was Westminster, Battersea, Milbank Tower and the Power Station. To sum it up, a view of most of London. Something I've never seen in Manhattan..from the ground.

Antrim Garden is near where I shop, and decided on my way to the Underground to visit it.
Antrim Garden is buried at the rear of some very posh homes and it held few flowers but many small gardens about three yards long and one wide, with tomatoes, leeks and other goodies growing . I found out it was all volunteers, etc. Which reminded me of the West Side Community Garden, one which I once grew my own leeks. I wondered if they had all the personal conflicts we had in our garden.

June 6, 2005 is the anniversary of D-Day and I decided to go the London Bridge to get a view of the cruiser HMS Belfast, I packed a lunch and a diet coke and hopped on the subway. I hadn't eaten breakfast and I thought I might eat part of the sandwich and sip on my diet coke but thought it would be tacky.

After a stop or two, a business man in a grey pin stripe suit, blue tie and a back pack, sat down reached into a Mark and Spencer bag (a fancy food place) pulled out a croissant and finished it in two bites, then he picked out a sandwich in a plastic case, opened it and gobble it down quickly, and that was it. He had his lunch on the train and began to read the Times.

I got my diet coke, sipped on it, put it back in my bag. My knee felt wet! My coke was not tightly screwed and it slowly built a puddle in the bottom of my DB bag and sipped through to my knee. I grabbed it and tightened the coke, looked down at my knee and it looked as if I had peed. I placed my bag over the telltale sign and hobbled out at London Bridge, my stop.

For future travelers the London Bridge stop doesn't stop at London Bridge, it stops about three blocks away. I found my self going into Hayes Wharf complex, it was build about twenty years ago. It was, in essence, a shopping mall for the Bridge.

In its arched interior was a sailing ship sculpture of metal, about two or three stories high, with rows running automatically, but no sails. I found it stunning. So credit David Kemp who built it.

This complex is on Hayes Wharf, named after a man who brought tea in from China and Japan and later "all the foodstuffs" came through this wharf. I strolled up and down the wharf.

I saw the London Bridge and no, it wasn't falling down. It is a beautiful bridge. I am running out of adjectives!

Also the HMS Belfast was at the harbor, guns were fired in honor of D-Day, it is a lovely ship. The ship reminded me of the aircraft carrier in our harbor, it cost 8 £ which is about 16 bucks but it was worth the tour.

I stopped by Bagel Factory ("Just Like New York's" I think not!) for a cup of coffee, I paid and the cashier offered me my receipt, I said "Will I need it?" He said "Yes, with it you get a free cup of coffee." I sat drank the coffee, read the Times insert which was discarded at my apartment door, and went back and got another cup of coffee which I sipped slowly on my travels.

I did see a "London's Dungeons!!!!" and "Britain During WW 2" which I passed up but I might go there again on a slow day which I never seem to find.

janis

Really enjoying your saga! I was going to post this when I first saw what you wrote a couple of days ago but let it slide. But you mentioned "Pilgrim's Hill" again so I thought I jump in. The place is called Primrose Hill - and you are right it is a glorious view.

Just another quibble - the beautiful bridge you saw near London Bridge station is not London Bridge. It is Tower Bridge. That is the really dramatic bridge w/ the castle-like towers. London Bridge is a very plain (dare I say ugly) modern bridge up river from Tower Bridge.

yeadonite

Janis,
Thanks! I thought I was missing something with the pilgrims hill references, my Dad is definitely staying in a cul de sac outside Primrose hill. I will correct him when we speak in the morning. He will appreciate the comments.

jules4je7

FAMOUSUNCLEART -- Thanks for the laughs...

As I was told some time ago, "The only thing fitting to be called 'Oriental' anymore is a rug"...people from Asia are usually called "Asian" unless you know what country they're from, in which case they are more specifically called Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.

Also, there's a good chance the mothers and children in the park weren't carrying sidearms because England has a fairly strict gun control policy.

I have learned much from you already and enjoy your posts. Please keep going. We're in London in September and it's fun to read your take on it.

Happy (and safe) showers,

Jules

FAMOUSUNCLEART

Hiya Gang:
Thanks for all the information. Sometimes I lose accuracy (I cant even spell it) and I will try to make the next ones correct but I cant promise you clarity in my postings.

I love London!

Famous and Inaccurate Uncle Art

SuzieC

Have Fun Art...enjoy... post often.

I soooo enjoy your journals.

flanneruk

Art, while we're all piling in on you:

Henry VIII had been out of circulation for nigh on 300 years in 1843.

He nicked what's now Regent's Park and Primrose Hill from the Abbey of Barking, and sent a minion off to turn it into a chase in 1539. It remained a private plaything for the monarch or the monarch's family till 1842, when most of the area was opened to the public.

I know remembering the dates of kings and queens can be tough, but there's a simple way of getting Henry VIII roughly right. He's the last monarch before the current one, apart from his short-lived son Edward, who didn't get huge slugs of the New World named after him, because he died before we discovered our mission to make the rest of the world English. His daughters and their successors gave the world no end of Marylands, Virginias, Jamestowns, Carolinas, Georgetowns and Victorias. So far as I'm aware, there's not a Henryville anywhere.

But I suppose he did give us Charles Laughton.

oldie

There's long been a belief that the American who bought London Bridge made a similar mistake to UncleArt's and thought that he was buying Tower Bridge.

yeadonite

These Days Were Meant for Walking

It is and has been glorious two days for me, weather not too hot but enough to keep one going.

The Underground stop Westminster is a central one for me, and I don't know when it was rebuilt, but is modern, much like Metropolis, Star Trek or Star Wars, lots of tubing which look like they could house torpedoes, and metal covering most of the stop. It's unlike the stop in Paris which does look like a submarine.

The platforms are shielded from the train tunnels by plastic shields which open when a train enters. Very modern and probably the most modern in my travels.

I have found that people who should don't know the answers a traveler might have. My home base is a stop called Swiss Cottage named after a restaurant called you got it Swiss Cottage. Can you imagine a stop in Brooklyn called Juniors?

I asked her what was the closest stop to the Globe theatre, she said it was Piccadilly, but I knew that it was across the Thames, she muttered, "that doesn't sound right, does it?" It didn't. I said I knew the Globe was not in Piccadilly, it is across the Thames. She sighed and I left.

When I got to my stop and asked where the Millennium bridge was, the guard pointed to the exit and said "Turn Left" He should have said "Turn left, then after two blocks, turn right, etc," A construction worker directed me with a smile, a warm one although he had only two upper teeth.

The bridge built for the Millennium is a must, it is a short walk across the Thames but the view is one that you can't photograph since it doesn’t do well but it will live in your memory for some time. That's true of most impressive views, isn't it? I don't know of one amateur photograph of the Grand Canyon which does it justice.

The south bank can take a day, lots of shops, Tate Modern Museum, and cafes, the Globe Theatre which is a must. The theatre owes its construction to an American actor, Sam Wanamaker (who, incidentally, was black-balled during the Red Scare, and he came to Britain)
He wanted to see the Globe or where it was, and found out there wasn't any. He raised funds to build it.

That was yesterday, today follows (I know you can hardly wait)

yeadonite

I know there is a Kew Gardens in NYC but I have never been there. I think it might have named after the Kew Gardens in Britain, built by Royalty, it is a large park, with two or three hot- houses and I knew it would be crowded but it doesn't show since the space is large enough to handle a large crowd. You can always find a private place to ruminate or just watch and take it all in. I suspect it’s much larger than Central Park.

There were a lot of women, in packs, two, three or five, but not four. Most were my age, white and blue haired (?), chatty and friendly. Some older men who were bent with age and with large back packs adding to the curvature.

Lots of school children being led by their two or three teachers and I constantly heard, "Are we finished here?" and the reply "No, dearie, we aren't" I must say well behaved kids.

I noticed one woman, thin, looking like a Norman Rockwell cover of a school teacher at the end of her tether, a very plain woman, she had a child tugging on her jeans, asking something and the mother very quietly told him. (I couldn't hear the conversation) She turned and I could see a long faded snake tattooed on her left arm, tattooed down to the fingers. Odd!

The Gardens were festooned (I love that word) with glass structures which looked like those animal balloons which Steve Martin use to make. There were large turnips painted all colors floating in the ponds. The geese didn't seem to mind them. Got to credit the artist, the glass works were done by a man named Chihuly.

More later

Artie

yeadonite

Artie cant post so he is sending it to me to post.