A Day in London - A Meeting of Minds

AnnMarie · Apr 12 2006, 12:04 PM

Momma Wolf likes English trains. Momma Wolf likes English buses. Momma Wolf NO LIKE London Underground!! Wolves do not belong that far under the surface. Too far down, too enclosed, not enough natural light or air, and at 8 in the morning, it is WAY TOO CROWDED!!

Momma Wolf is also kicking herself for not taking a proper little notebook with her, because I ended up spending £5 on something I have here at home, and just didn’t think to take.

I am also more than a bit disgusted by my own country’s over-blown, ostentatious egotism. Most of the embassies in London are on or near Grovenour’s Square, along with the Chancery Building. Most of them are renovated/rebuilt Regency/Victorian buildings. Very attractive. NOT the USA. The American Embassy is a huge, ugly BOX of six stories of concrete, glass and brass, mounted with an eagle the size of a Conestoga wagon and six-hitch team, if not larger. It’s also surrounded by riot control barriers and armed officers (Metro police). And efficenticy? Bah! They had two lines the length of an NYC block! We were waiting, until I told Nick to ask which line we should be in….good thing, because we didn’t need to be in EITHER!

Okay, fine. Through the checkpoint. We had to leave the digital camera at the desk, but so be it…

Two problems: they wouldn’t accept the passport photos we had for Dancer, AND we didn’t have the application I filled out WEEKS ago. I gave it to Nick to check. He says he gave it back. He did give me some papers last night….it wasn’t with them.

I did not deal well. I didn’t scream, but I did growl and snap at Nick quite a lot. We filled out another application, and off we went up the road to get new pictures. They kept our passports.

Keep in mind, I don’t drive here, so I don’t carry my NY driver’s licence with me. My passport is my only form of ID. Without ID, you can’t get into the Embassy. Fine. I take the camera, and off I go to the park. Nick came looking for me 45 minutes later…they need BOTH of us to ok the passport. AARRRRRGHG!

We finally get out of there, stop in a tourist trap shop to get Dancer a Paddington Bear bag, and get me a pen and a magnet. (They should have a magnet that says “I SURVIVED THE LONDON UNDERGROUND!”) On to McDonalds for lunch. Then on to the British Museum, because the Dr Who shop was anther half hour by Underground and Nick was not going to get me to do that!

I am still not a very happy Momma Wolf. My feet hurt and I still haven’t gotten to The Tower…which is maybe the only place in London (besides the Zoo) that I REALLY want to visit….Okay, add Kew Gardens to that.

edith · Apr 12 2006, 12:08 PM

poor you!
I'm in london tomorrow
the bf needs to go to the imperial war museum archives and I've got (apparantly) to go with him

c_ris · Apr 12 2006, 12:25 PM

The London Underground is great! So long as you know which stations and lines you need to go through, though!

I hate Enlgish trains. I hate English buses. but the London Underground is good!

Kew Gardens needs an entire day to itself! It's too large and beautiful to do much else on the same day!

Did you go to Madame Tussauds (the waxworks)?

AnnMarie · Apr 12 2006, 12:33 PM

ONly places we went was the Embassy and the Museum

c_ris · Apr 12 2006, 12:48 PM

You're gonna have to go back some time, and do the tourist things!!!

Greenrider Tresa · Apr 12 2006, 02:31 PM

Well, I can see we didn't miss anything when we visited London in 1991! Though we didn't do much sight-seeing either. Suppose being a military brat has advantages, even with the father already off at his post...

Dyna · Apr 12 2006, 03:09 PM

Hmm...if I ever get to the UK....I think I'll find me a nice quite place in Scotland and become a permanent hermit.

Dyna

Apr 12 2006, 05:37 PM

LL & I will be in London from Friday to Monday. We love London as a place to visit, but we wouldn't want to live there (unless we could live in South Ken & didn't have to work

)

Lady Maelin · Apr 12 2006, 11:32 PM

Some day me and my hubby want to go and visit England, and Ireland. He has been a couple times to London, when he was younger. Not me though, I havent been anywhere out of the country, YET, someday maybe !!!

ghyle · Apr 13 2006, 02:23 AM

I guess there's some places you want to go to but haven't been yet: all the good book stores.

Try the poetry library as well?

AnnMarie · Apr 13 2006, 10:02 AM

IF and when we go back to London:

WHO Shop in west Ham
Kew Gardens
Museum of Natural History
Tower of London
Victoria and Albert Museum
MAYBE Buckingham Palace

I used to want to visit Bond Street and Almacks and Regency Park, strictly from a writer's research view...now I don't know

c_ris · Apr 13 2006, 10:25 AM

Buckingham Palace is not open all year round, so beware!

Lady Maelin · Apr 13 2006, 11:01 AM

C'ris, lets not forget the National Gallery, and the Gainsborough's........YES !!!

Mary · Apr 13 2006, 11:18 AM

The london underground is not something I like either but I can survive it to get from A to B. I think you have to like in London to be able to get around above ground, buses are confusing and taxis are expensive.

Lady Maelin · Apr 14 2006, 10:38 AM

I know this is off topic, but I just love your avatar, Clambell. It is great for a chuckle, Thank you for the funny.

edith · Apr 14 2006, 01:42 PM

The tube was ok yesterday- a bit warm but ok.
Yesterday was interesting
went to imperial war museum
watched japanese tourist photograph a "Do not climb" sign
got in
helped nick
went round museum
got out
then...
Nick decided as it was a nice day we'd walk to St James' park to meet his dad.
we got over Lamberth bridge ok
then...
Nick decided to walk round Westminster- as I hadn't been there before.
Saw the protest hanging off westminster abbey http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4909934.stm
then... we got lost (Nick SAYS he knew where we were -ahem!)
we went round the streets to Buckingham palace, St James' park, Trafalgar square, the mall, haymarket, piccadilly, and only then did we find an underground station!

it was fun though!

**Cheryl** · Apr 14 2006, 02:35 PM

Mmmm, St. James park. I took a zillion pictures of waterfowl there...and a few of the flowers. I'm sure Anneli thought I was nuts!

c_ris · Apr 14 2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edith

watched japanese tourist photograph a "Do not climb" sign

Lady Maelin · Apr 15 2006, 11:37 AM

That sounds like you had a lovely day Edi, walking about and seeing London.

The Japanese tourist, is the most interested traveler on the planet. They go everywhere, are interested in everything, and want to take pictures of it all to show to their family and friends at home. They are truely wonderful people to meet, very friendly and happy.

Kat · Apr 15 2006, 12:48 PM

Sadly the only time I've been to London..in 1989 was on a business trip.
And our hosts were a younger couple whose main goal was to find the nearest pub and get drunk.

And myself being a self proclaimed royalty geek was devastated to not visit all the places I wanted.
I only got to see part of the Tower. *sigh*

BUT when that lottery board gets it's act together.... all will be remedied!!

Rinoa · Apr 15 2006, 07:10 PM

I was able to visit London last summer for 8 days. Wonderful.

It helped that I could go back to their flat when I was tired, but still.

I even liked the underground. :shrug: I met some Chinese people there and was able to help direct them to where they needed to be. Ironic, really, that they would stop an American in a London tube station that could speak Chinese.

Rinoa

Apr 19 2006, 08:29 AM

Probably a better chance of finding someone who speaks Chinese in London than someone who speaks English

We had a great time there last weekend, & took lots of pics

Kath · Apr 21 2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edith

the bf needs to go to the imperial war museum archives

Here's a useless piece of trivia for you: one of my cats is on a recording in the IWM archive!

Apr 26 2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Probably a better chance of finding someone who speaks Chinese in London than someone who speaks English

We had a great time there last weekend, & took lots of pics

Said pics can be seen over at the AMCF board, here

Apr 12 2006, 12:04 PM	#1
AnnMarie Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: On the Edge Fan of: Pern and Talent Now Reading: The Name of the Rose	A Day in London Momma Wolf likes English trains. Momma Wolf likes English buses. Momma Wolf NO LIKE London Underground!! Wolves do not belong that far under the surface. Too far down, too enclosed, not enough natural light or air, and at 8 in the morning, it is WAY TOO CROWDED!! Momma Wolf is also kicking herself for not taking a proper little notebook with her, because I ended up spending £5 on something I have here at home, and just didn’t think to take. I am also more than a bit disgusted by my own country’s over-blown, ostentatious egotism. Most of the embassies in London are on or near Grovenour’s Square, along with the Chancery Building. Most of them are renovated/rebuilt Regency/Victorian buildings. Very attractive. NOT the USA. The American Embassy is a huge, ugly BOX of six stories of concrete, glass and brass, mounted with an eagle the size of a Conestoga wagon and six-hitch team, if not larger. It’s also surrounded by riot control barriers and armed officers (Metro police). And efficenticy? Bah! They had two lines the length of an NYC block! We were waiting, until I told Nick to ask which line we should be in….good thing, because we didn’t need to be in EITHER! Okay, fine. Through the checkpoint. We had to leave the digital camera at the desk, but so be it… Two problems: they wouldn’t accept the passport photos we had for Dancer, AND we didn’t have the application I filled out WEEKS ago. I gave it to Nick to check. He says he gave it back. He did give me some papers last night….it wasn’t with them. I did not deal well. I didn’t scream, but I did growl and snap at Nick quite a lot. We filled out another application, and off we went up the road to get new pictures. They kept our passports. Keep in mind, I don’t drive here, so I don’t carry my NY driver’s licence with me. My passport is my only form of ID. Without ID, you can’t get into the Embassy. Fine. I take the camera, and off I go to the park. Nick came looking for me 45 minutes later…they need BOTH of us to ok the passport. AARRRRRGHG! We finally get out of there, stop in a tourist trap shop to get Dancer a Paddington Bear bag, and get me a pen and a magnet. (They should have a magnet that says “I SURVIVED THE LONDON UNDERGROUND!”) On to McDonalds for lunch. Then on to the British Museum, because the Dr Who shop was anther half hour by Underground and Nick was not going to get me to do that! I am still not a very happy Momma Wolf. My feet hurt and I still haven’t gotten to The Tower…which is maybe the only place in London (besides the Zoo) that I REALLY want to visit….Okay, add Kew Gardens to that. __________________ "...If my body dies tonight, my soul rides on the wind..." (from "The Man" by Mark Ryan/ Wuthering Heights)

Apr 12 2006, 12:08 PM	#2
edith Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Delft Fan of: Most of them :) Now Reading: Don't You Have Time To Think- RP Feynman	Re: A Day in London poor you! I'm in london tomorrow the bf needs to go to the imperial war museum archives and I've got (apparantly) to go with him __________________ "Should a rocket explode upon starting, it is called a "hard start." " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypergolic

Apr 12 2006, 12:25 PM	#3
c_ris Journeyman Harper Roedin Wing Second Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Great Britain Fan of: the Dragonriders of Pern! Now Reading: The Elder Gods - Eddings	Re: A Day in London The London Underground is great! So long as you know which stations and lines you need to go through, though! I hate Enlgish trains. I hate English buses. but the London Underground is good! Kew Gardens needs an entire day to itself! It's too large and beautiful to do much else on the same day! Did you go to Madame Tussauds (the waxworks)? __________________ Roedin Of Pern "When a harper is silenced, all men should listen harder." AtWoP

Apr 12 2006, 12:33 PM	#4
AnnMarie Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: On the Edge Fan of: Pern and Talent Now Reading: The Name of the Rose	Re: A Day in London ONly places we went was the Embassy and the Museum __________________ "...If my body dies tonight, my soul rides on the wind..." (from "The Man" by Mark Ryan/ Wuthering Heights)

Apr 12 2006, 12:48 PM	#5
c_ris Journeyman Harper Roedin Wing Second Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Great Britain Fan of: the Dragonriders of Pern! Now Reading: The Elder Gods - Eddings	Re: A Day in London You're gonna have to go back some time, and do the tourist things!!! __________________ Roedin Of Pern "When a harper is silenced, all men should listen harder." AtWoP

Apr 12 2006, 02:31 PM	#6
Greenrider Tresa The Contrary Planetary Brain Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Fan of: The Ship Who Searched Now Reading: The Calhoun Collection, Nora Roberts	Re: A Day in London Well, I can see we didn't miss anything when we visited London in 1991! Though we didn't do much sight-seeing either. Suppose being a military brat has advantages, even with the father already off at his post... __________________ Thinking, understanding, reasoning, willing, call not these Soul! They are its actions, but they are not its essence. Akhenaton? (c. B.C. 1375) Egyptian King and Monotheist

Apr 12 2006, 03:09 PM	#7
Dyna Inactive Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Fan of: Dragonrider sagas Now Reading: in between books	Re: A Day in London Hmm...if I ever get to the UK....I think I'll find me a nice quite place in Scotland and become a permanent hermit. Dyna

Apr 12 2006, 05:37 PM	#8
Ian Guest	Re: A Day in London LL & I will be in London from Friday to Monday. We love London as a place to visit, but we wouldn't want to live there (unless we could live in South Ken & didn't have to work )

Apr 12 2006, 11:32 PM	#9
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: A Day in London Some day me and my hubby want to go and visit England, and Ireland. He has been a couple times to London, when he was younger. Not me though, I havent been anywhere out of the country, YET, someday maybe !!! __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Apr 13 2006, 02:23 AM	#10
ghyle Hrruban Eighth Hrruban Speaker Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: northeast New South Wales Fan of: Pern & Freedom Now Reading: The Umbrella Club / David Brooks	Re: A Day in London I guess there's some places you want to go to but haven't been yet: all the good book stores. Try the poetry library as well? __________________ "Poetry is, in sober truth, the birth of new worlds." Christopher Brennan "There is a world elsewhere; its speech is called Poetry." Arthur Machen Visit me: http://www.geocities.com/phillipellis01/ Author of 21 Sonnets and Strange Gardens Editor of AustralianReader.com Calenture: a Journal of Studies in Speculative Verse Similax: a Poetry Blog

Apr 13 2006, 10:02 AM	#11
AnnMarie Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: On the Edge Fan of: Pern and Talent Now Reading: The Name of the Rose	Re: A Day in London IF and when we go back to London: WHO Shop in west Ham Kew Gardens Museum of Natural History Tower of London Victoria and Albert Museum MAYBE Buckingham Palace I used to want to visit Bond Street and Almacks and Regency Park, strictly from a writer's research view...now I don't know __________________ "...If my body dies tonight, my soul rides on the wind..." (from "The Man" by Mark Ryan/ Wuthering Heights)

Apr 13 2006, 10:25 AM	#12
c_ris Journeyman Harper Roedin Wing Second Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Great Britain Fan of: the Dragonriders of Pern! Now Reading: The Elder Gods - Eddings	Re: A Day in London Buckingham Palace is not open all year round, so beware! __________________ Roedin Of Pern "When a harper is silenced, all men should listen harder." AtWoP

Apr 13 2006, 11:01 AM	#13
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: A Day in London C'ris, lets not forget the National Gallery, and the Gainsborough's........YES !!! __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Apr 13 2006, 11:18 AM	#14
Mary Inactive Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cork Ireland	Re: A Day in London The london underground is not something I like either but I can survive it to get from A to B. I think you have to like in London to be able to get around above ground, buses are confusing and taxis are expensive.

Apr 14 2006, 10:38 AM	#15
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: A Day in London I know this is off topic, but I just love your avatar, Clambell. It is great for a chuckle, Thank you for the funny. __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Apr 14 2006, 01:42 PM	#16
edith Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Delft Fan of: Most of them :) Now Reading: Don't You Have Time To Think- RP Feynman	Re: A Day in London The tube was ok yesterday- a bit warm but ok. Yesterday was interesting went to imperial war museum watched japanese tourist photograph a "Do not climb" sign got in helped nick went round museum got out then... Nick decided as it was a nice day we'd walk to St James' park to meet his dad. we got over Lamberth bridge ok then... Nick decided to walk round Westminster- as I hadn't been there before. Saw the protest hanging off westminster abbey http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4909934.stm then... we got lost (Nick SAYS he knew where we were -ahem!) we went round the streets to Buckingham palace, St James' park, Trafalgar square, the mall, haymarket, piccadilly, and only then did we find an underground station! it was fun though! __________________ "Should a rocket explode upon starting, it is called a "hard start." " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypergolic

Apr 14 2006, 02:35 PM	#17
Cheryl Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland, USA Pronouns: She/her Fan of: Pern! Now Reading: Relentless Moon by MRKowal	Re: A Day in London Mmmm, St. James park. I took a zillion pictures of waterfowl there...and a few of the flowers. I'm sure Anneli thought I was nuts! __________________ Visit one of the other sites of Cheryl's Anne McCaffrey Triad: Sariel's Guide to Pern: a detailed guide to the series The Many Works of Anne McCaffrey: largest fan site about Anne and ALL of her works McCaffrey Quest: annual trivia contest.

Apr 15 2006, 11:37 AM	#19
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: A Day in London That sounds like you had a lovely day Edi, walking about and seeing London. The Japanese tourist, is the most interested traveler on the planet. They go everywhere, are interested in everything, and want to take pictures of it all to show to their family and friends at home. They are truely wonderful people to meet, very friendly and happy. __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Apr 15 2006, 12:48 PM	#20
Kat Journeywoman archivist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina,USA Fan of: DRoP Now Reading: Sky Dragons	Re: A Day in London Sadly the only time I've been to London..in 1989 was on a business trip. And our hosts were a younger couple whose main goal was to find the nearest pub and get drunk. And myself being a self proclaimed royalty geek was devastated to not visit all the places I wanted. I only got to see part of the Tower. sigh BUT when that lottery board gets it's act together.... all will be remedied!!

Apr 15 2006, 07:10 PM	#21
Rinoa Inactive Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Fan of: Pern, Freedom, Petaybee Now Reading: Death on Demand Series	Re: A Day in London I was able to visit London last summer for 8 days. Wonderful. It helped that I could go back to their flat when I was tired, but still. I even liked the underground. :shrug: I met some Chinese people there and was able to help direct them to where they needed to be. Ironic, really, that they would stop an American in a London tube station that could speak Chinese. Rinoa

Apr 19 2006, 08:29 AM	#22
Ian Guest	Re: A Day in London Probably a better chance of finding someone who speaks Chinese in London than someone who speaks English We had a great time there last weekend, & took lots of pics

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