London - Day 1

Okay, so after a 7 hour red eye flight from Newark to Heathrow, we were a bit tired but still ready to go. It took us about 40 minutes to get our transfer to the hotel, but it was plenty long for me to caffeine up on a Starbucks frappicino. It was just what I needed. The ride to the hotel was nice, but Larry and I both agreed it would have been way to much for us to find our way there. The streets went on every kind of angle and you felt that you were going in circles. Anyways, we check into the hotel and have 2 rooms, both smoking with 1 king-size bed in each. I was not happy as we had specifically asked for non-smoking, 2 twin beds for each room. Larry didn't mind as he decided to take a nap while I went to haggle with the front desk. They found 2 other rooms that sort of met our specs (one was non-smoking, the other wasn't as we later found out and I had to deal with that) and agreed to let Larry continue sleeping in the current room until we returned later. So the kids and I went off exploring.




First up was Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with Westminster Abbey but impressive as well). It was a lovely church and we walked around the interior for quite a while admiring all of the various chapels. My favorite was the Chapel of St. Patrick which was done in all green marble and had all kinds of Irish symbols around it. From the Westminster Cathedral website:

Chapel of St Patrick and the Saints of Ireland

St Patrick (387 - 461) took the Christian faith to Ireland, and is venerated as their patron saint.


In the Chapel, which awaits completion, green is the dominant colour, with much of the marble originating in Ireland. Celtic designs are inlaid on the floor and at the foot of the altar. The image of the shamrock (used by St Patrick to explain the Trinity) can be seen throughout the Chapel; on the rear wall, in the marble screen beside the nave, behind the altar, the wooden furniture, and even in the candle-stand outside the Chapel.


The snakes which curl around the altar recall the legend of St Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.

Above the altar is a bronze gilt statue of St Patrick, in the style of an ancient celtic carving. Nearby is a mosaic of St Patrick, unveiled in 1999.

Around the Chapel walls are the badges of Irish Regiments that fought in the First World War. In a casket by the

Irish regimental badges are mounted on the Chapel walls. In a casket by the altar are inscribed the names of 50,000 Irish soliders who died at that time. In 2001 the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, prayed in the Chapel and laid a wreath to the dead commemorated here - a visit also made by President Mary Robinson in 1996.

Outside the Chapel, a mosaic commemoriates St Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh. St Oliver was the last person in England to die for the Catholic faith, and was executed at Tyburn, London in 1681.


St Oliver Plunkett is shown in mosaic.
Lord, we ask your blessing
upon the people of Ireland,
And upon Irish people
throughout the world;
We pray especially for peace
in Northern Ireland
And reconciliation among
its communities.
May they reach out across
ancient divisions
In trust, friendship, and forgiveness.

Next on the Day 1 Tour - Buckingham Palace.

Day 1 - Newark to Heathrow

Our flight was scheduled for 9:55 pm out of Newark on Friday. We had a car picking us up at 6:30. Luckily I was able to get off of work at 2:30 and have plenty of time to finish getting things done. Greg had school and tennis and didn't get home until 5:30 pm. We had a quick dinner and headed to the airport. The stupid limo company sent a town car with little trunk space for all 4 of us and our 4 big suitcases. Larry had to ride with a suitcase on his lap. We were very insistent that they send the limo for us when they picked us up on the return.

Anyways, at the airport, we exchanged $ for pounds and euros (at a terrible rate I must add) and the flight left on time. We flew British Airways and I have to say that it was very comfortable. The food is actually very good and the movie choices were good. I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (with Johnny Depp) twice and really enjoyed it. Casey was sitting behind me on the plane watching the same movie and I could hear her whooping it up at times. I slept just enough so that I wasn't too exhausted when we got to London. The coffee frappucino at the airport helped me stay awake.

After arrival at Heathrow we went through customs got our baggage and waited for our hotel transport. The guy that took us to the hotel was very personable and talked quite a bit. If we all weren't so tired, it probably would have been even more interesting. That's what happens when traveling at night and not being able to sleep on the plane very well.

More to come!!

European Vacation

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog update. I guess all of the excitement leading up to our spring vacation and the actual vacation kept me pretty busy. Well, the trip is over and all of my nervousness of leaving the country was unfounded. We had a lovely time and the critters were all safe at home. The basement didn't flood either so that was a break. Casey's back to school for a tough term, Greg has started the tennis season, and Larry and I are back to work. However, I can feel that spring is just around the corner and that makes me happy. I'm going to try to get some seeds planted this weekend (lettuce, spinach, peas). I may also buy some pansies to brighten up the porches.

Stay tuned for a travel diary of our vacation.