Hello From London!
 

Hello, Fodorites.

Arrived in London at the crack of dawn this morning on a USAir flight from DC through Philly (WAY less painful than the last time I took this route - I think the Philadelphia airport has made some improvements).

No delays getting through Immigration at the airport.Took the Tube from Heathrow to St.Pancras, which was incredibly painless. Signs were good, tickets were 4 pounds apiece, there was plenty of space in the cars for luggage, and we were here in just under an hour.

Had a pub lunch at O'Neills Irish Bar a block from the station. My son had a decent "steak burger" with chips and salad; I had a very filling but oversalted "Irish crockpot": a bed of scallion mashed potatoes topped with a grilled chicken fillet, mushrooms, and melted Irish Cheddar. Neither one of us could finish. The bill, including a pint of Caffrey's, came to 12.50 pounds.

Temperature is about 75 F, overcast. The St. Pancras station is teeming with people of all nationalities, including a middle-aged man carrying an enormous stuffed zebra around on his shoulder. There is free internet access at Le Pain Quotidien, where I'm enjoying an iced latte, and they have just announced that check-in is now available for our Eurostar to Paris, which leaves in an hour and a half.

Tonight, Paris. Tomorrow, St-Cirq.

Happy travles, all.

if you walk out towards kings cross (before platform 9 3/4) there a building called "gymnasium" i think with the history of the changes to area

Enjoy the Eurostar! You blink and you're there

Thanks, bilbo: We just walked by it an hour ago, but we're kind of jetlagged, and even with just our 21" rollaboards and small carryon, sightseeing seems like a bit of a chore right now. For a variety of reasons I had to bring my heavy (9 lbs) laptop on this trip, and it's weighing me down a bit.

Nice start and glad PHL has apparently improved. Love taking the Eurostar. Too early for a glass of vino as the countryside races by?

I have a Maine Coon that weighs that so know what it feels like, enjoy

Oooooo! I'm so jealous!
I loved St.Pancrass and it's light airyness.
Have a lovely trip - looking forward to more......much more!

Ps..Can you give a street address for that O'Neils Pub.

We always stay in Cardington street next to Euston station and this amy be useful for the future.
Thanks.

I feel like I'm there with you...

Lovely to hear from you. I would be green with envy - except that I am enjoying my new grandson so much that I don't want to be anywhere else right now :)

Wish I were there.

(I've never seen an enormous stuffed sebra - but once saw a guy with a stuffed moose head - including giant antlers - try to get on the Broadway local at rush hour. The conductor removed him.)

Welcome to France StCirq >:D<