A TIGHT SCHEDULE

 In a Hurry In London

On each of several trips to London I did and saw different things. In February  ’99 a friend of mine spent a week in England visiting friends. She talked me into meeting her in London for a week afterward. She wanted to do some genealogy research and see some shows.  I agreed and we had a fun week.

We saw a show every evening and during the day while she was doing her research I spent the time sightseeing.   We stayed in a B&B just off Leicester Square (pronounced Lester).    On this trip Stonehenge was on my list. Since our B&B did not have a concierge, I walked over to a Thistle Hotel one evening to book my trip for the next morning.

Because of a tube strike (subway) we were a good half hour late in getting started as we had to wait for a few late arrivals to get through the traffic snarls. We ran late everywhere we went on a full and busy day. We left Bath a bit after 5:00 PM ---in rush hour---for the two hour drive back to London. Normally that would not be a problem, but I had tickets to see Chicago that evening.

That morning we each put our theater ticket in our pocket and agreed if I was not back by 7:30 my friend would head to the theater and I’d meet her there.

That was a smart move!

On the  bus the guide asked if anyone had plans for the evening. As we approached London he told me, “The driver can let you out at the Hammersmith tube station and you’ll probably make it back to the city quicker by tube than if you stay on the bus.”

 Since we had walked to the theater to buy the tickets for the sold-out show I knew it was a good ten minute walk. I decided to take the guide’s advice.

The tube is quick. I exited the subway at the proper  city stop and found the entrance nearest to our B&B’s street. When I spotted an empty cab I flagged him down and asked, “Please take me to the B&B so I can off load these books, then I need to go to the Adelphi Theater.”

“The B&B is just down the street.”

“I know, but I’m really pushing the clock”  It already was 7:37. The cabbie shrugged his shoulders as I jumped in the cab.

I ran up the entrance stairs of the B&B and hopped in the elevator. When exiting I put a chair in the elevator door to hold it on my floor while I ran in the room and dropped my parcels. A quick down elevator ride and out the door I found my cabbie waiting for me and we were off. He dropped me off just before the theater saying, “The theater is about 20 yards around the corner. Thank you love. Enjoy the show.”

After a quick restroom stop I practically ran down the aisle and was in my seat 3 minutes before curtain time. After a full and interesting day I took a deep breath, relaxed and enjoyed the show!

All about Stonehenge another day.

SCANDINAVIA

                     General Impressions

      Except for Finland, that is on the Euro, each country has its own currency and about 5-6 crowns equal 1 US dollar. Americans were welcome everywhere and English is common. The tourist industry is booming and all the capitals accommodate cruise ships.

           In summer, daylight hours are long. Cities and restrooms are spotlessly clean.     Each city had numerous parks and there is lots of statuary in towns, made from granite or bronze. Buildings are of stone and outdoor cafés are popular. Although public transport is good, fast, and efficient, the major cities are very walkable and easily seen on foot. Cars and trucks tend to be small, but buses are large tourist ones. One rarely hears a car horn. Cabs take credit cards.

            Open air fresh produce and fish markets are in all cities. We were actually encouraged to make a sandwich for lunch at breakfast---A first! Hotel beds all had duvets and it was common to see men with ponytails.

        
 Helsinki is a low-rise city with wide streets, but watch the drivers who would just as soon   run you over as not. Do not assume the driver will stop if you step into the street! Winter winds blow ice to the area so ice breakers are commonly seen working. Finns are not chocolate eaters but like licorice which comes in many flavors.

  In Copenhagen bicycles are everywhere. The Danish are friendly. The city is full of gorgeous architecture. Picturesque thatched roofs are common in the countryside. In the city one will pay to pee. The Stroget is the famous mile-long pedestrian shopping area.

Sweden is very expensive. It is common to see people eating while walking along the street. It seems everyone was smoking. The drivers were more pedestrian friendly than in Finland. The harbor was full of boats, both moored and sailing.

 Norway was also full of smokers. It is also a very expensive country for the tourist. The streets are narrow and there are a few high-rise buildings. Drivers are courteous and give pedestrians a break. Fountains in parks were a big thing. The city is full of chestnut trees. Public restrooms were frequent. Mornings started out misty but it cleared mid morning. Restaurants were not service oriented---or at least we didn’t find any that were. The country is full of tunnels and they were all dry! The Danes know how to build tunnels!

      It was interesting to observe each city’s idiosyncrasies. This trip was a pleasant respite from the Texas summer heat!Lots more info on each country to come.