England 1997

A dragging start to the morning after the long, but filling (in more ways than one!) day before. Breakfast and a quick shower get me prepared for the day. I pack my bags and say goodbye to King’s Court again. John, Marianne, and Mark pick me up and we head back to London. John’s got yet another surprise in store for us!!!

We’re staying at The Ritz Hotel!!! Yes, it’s everything you’ve ever heard about… and more!!!

Everything, from the lobby, to the staircases, to the hallways, to the rooms are elaborate and very, very “posh”. The provided robes, slippers… even the garment bags (!) all have the embroidered “Ritz” logo on them. Very impressive!

We get ourselves dressed (casual, but smart) for yet another treat! Since we’re on London’s “West End”, we are going to take in a theatre show! The one John’s selected is “Buddy”, the Buddy Holly story. It is a fantastic production, from the acting, to the costumes, to the live music performed on stage! This musical has been running, non-stop, for nine years and has played to more celebrities than you can shake a stick at!

Afterwards, we walk a bit around the West End, including back through Trafalgar Square. We end up getting a cab back, as it is starting to get late and John has plans for dinner! So, we get a second “authentic London cab” ride!

Dinner is a spectacular event. I have the lobster bisque and Suffolk venison. Absolutely wonderful!!!

But it is the dessert that makes the biggest impression (and puts on the most pounds!).

Home again… home again…

Boo! It’s time to go again.

I have a nice breakfast served in the room at The Ritz. I finish getting ready, pack my bags, and head downstairs. The Edwardses are ready as well and we pile into the van with our luggage and head out to Gatwick airport.

Everything goes MUCH smoother this time with the departure. Last year, the plane had a problem and had to divert to Bermuda (I knew about it before I left London) AND the flight was two hours late getting off the ground. This year, tough, things went like clockwork.

I passed my bags through customs and went with the Edwardses to have a spot of tea. We talk about everything but my leaving, as no one really wants this to end… especially me! I am looking forward to getting home, but I have had, yet another, fantastic time here in England.

I truly feel like John, Marianne, Julian, and Mark ARE part of my family, and they have made me feel like part of theirs. 🙂