aggiegirl

October 17 – Last full day in England (sigh). I lazed about this final morning, waiting for the opening of check in for my flight home the next day. I wanted to be sure to get an aisle seat.

Got my seat and then took off for the Wallace Collection. I had concluded that the size I had selected for my ring that I purchased was too big, so I went back and exchanged it.

I then zipped over to the south bank to visit the Borough market and Southwark Cathedral. Borough market was in full swing with a crushing crowd. I chose to get out of there and go into the cathedral (an oasis of calm after the market). I’ve been before, but I really like it and wanted to take some more photos of a particular panel of stained glass that I had photographed poorly on a previous visit.
To my delight, I encountered a sweet tabby sleeping on the grate of a heat register. She reminded me of my cat who passed away two years ago.

The lighting was such that I was not satisfied with my stained glass photos. Oh well.

Off to Trafalgar Square! It was complete madness here! So many people! I walked up Charing Cross Road, just window shopping and people watching. Grabbed a quick bite for lunch at McD’s (I know, I’m receiving head shakes of disapproval, but it appeared when I was hungry).

I then walked to Whitehall and the horse guards and then on to Parliament, taking in all the action. Eventually, I made my way up Victoria Street and went into Marks and Spencer and purchased all the chocolate and biscuits that I would take home as gifts. All of my friends and family adore M&S candy, biscuits and Extremely Chocolaty Mini Bites.

I returned to the hotel with all my goodies, wondering how it was all going to fit, and then I set out again.

I wandered down Fleet Street and the Strand, just enjoying the scene. I paid a brief visit to the St. Danes church and had a nice visit with some church ladies. Weather seems to be a favorite topic, especially when English people learn I’m from Texas, the land of really hot temperatures.

I decided to return to Southwark Cathedral to see if I could get better photos of my window in a different light. Alas, I still couldn’t. This particular pane is just hard to photograph, I guess. The spot lights right in front of it have a negative effect, at least with my camera.

To my delight again, Miss Tabby cat was still sleeping on the grate, all these hours later! Tough life as a cathedral cat! Wish I could sleep that well.

I can’t remember what else I did before going back to the hotel to meet up with my friend, who had been doing her own thing today visiting museums.

We went to the St. George Tavern near Victoria station for dinner. I ordered some delicious macaroni and cheese. After enjoying a pleasant and relaxing time in the tavern, we stopped at the Victoria M&S Simply Food and I grabbed just a couple more goodies for the folks back home. I had packed a special duffel bag to transport my goodies and it was perfect. I thought about putting it on the scale when I got home, just to see how heavy it was, but I decided I didn’t want to know. There are a lot of happy people in Texas enjoying British candy, let’s just say.

Oct. 18 – Time to go home. My friend had not enjoyed the experience of taking the tube from the airport and lugging bags to the hotel, so we chose to hire a car to take us to the airport. I had recalled recommendations of “JustAirports” on someone else’s thread, so we made a reservation online the night before. £38 for the journey. We had requested a 6 am pickup, and I could see the car was out waiting for us at 5:45. The car was clean and efficient, taking only 30 minutes to get to Heathrow. I’m not sure what a taxi would cost, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend JustAirports. Thank you, to whoever had recommended them.

Our flight left just a little bit late and was completely full. Other than being stuffed like sardines, it was an uneventful flight.

We had a wonderful time and I look forward to another return to the UK in the future. Next time? Probably Wales!

Thanks for following along with me.

Photos:

https://amtravelpics.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

Weekender

Very much enjoyed reading this. Great pictures!

annhig

yes me too. i love seeing us through others eyes, and you really brought your trip to life.

Glad the goodies from M&S are such a success!

aggiegirl

Thanks, annhig, Fra_Diavolo, Weekender, Grandma, irishface, Isabel, Carolyn and anybody else reading.

Annhig, the M&S goodies are such a hit here, I wish I could open a satellite location of Simply Food. The Extremely Chocolaty mini bites, my personal favorite, are so coveted by my friends, it's a little crazy. What's crazy is that I created these monsters by sharing a tub many years back. Now there are special pleas that come to me when it becomes known that I am heading anywhere with a M&S food hall. Forget t-shirts, keychains and random trinkets, chocolate is the souvenir of choice when it comes to the UK!

Normally on international trips, I lose at least 5 pounds or more from all the walking, but that didn't happen on this trip with all the chocolate I ate. I was lucky to just come back the same.

annhig

Aggie - M&S used to have branches outside the UK but weirdly to my mind closed them a few years ago. their website suggests that they are going to be opening them up again, but not in the US, sadly.

However, you can get at least some of the goodies from here:

http://www.britsuperstore.com/uk/bro...ncer-food.html

sorry about what this will do to your waistline!

aggiegirl

Wouldn't you know, I actually looked at that website several years ago!

Prague has an M&S store that had the goodies, and Paris too. Zagreb, when I was there in 2006, had M&S clothes, but no food

latedaytraveler

Hi AGGIEGIRL,

Thanks for the great report and pics. Glad that you and your friend had your own rooms - the only way to go in my view for grownup gals.

I too love the WALLACE COLLECTION and agree, that although I am not a shopper, their gift shop is excellent. I also want to attend evensong at Westminster Abbey when I return to London.

Lucky that the weather was so good in Cornwall. Interesting about exploring St. Michael's Mount - we only drove by.

Again, thanks for sharing...

aggiegirl

Hi latedaytraveler,

Yes, own rooms is absolutely the only way to go! I haven't shared in ten years and it makes all the difference in the travel experience.

Definitely do the evensong next time you are in London. Shame you didn't go up the mount. So pretty up there!