Last Day!

For our last night's sleep, Joel used points from work to find us a nice hotel across from three parks that are attached to each other: St. James Park, Green Park and Hyde Park. No sooner had we stepped out on the street and we heard the clip-clop of horses' hooves on the cobblestones.

The sun was shining and gardens were stunning. The British are so good at gardening for each season.

I thought this pigeon looked a little bit entitled.

Aren't parks a wonderful idea? Anyone can take the tube for £2.50 and come down to these parks, spend the day and never know you were in the centre of a city of 9 million people. Absolutely brilliant planning.

There were lakes....

... and green spaces (especially in the Green Park)...

... and a statue of Ted wondering when i was coming home.

Before I sign out, we need to talk about the London Plane trees. They are a hybrid tree, similar to sychamore. They tolerate pollution and root compaction so are perfect trees for planting along city streets. There were London Plane trees throughout the parts of Paris where we were too. They do such a good job to provide shade and make the two cities a beautiful place to walk around in.

Grasses are being used nicely in the gardens.

We bought a Portuguese tart - not from this bakery - for our lunch. Wouldn't you want to try every one of these wonders? Jen HV?

We'll eat a meal around 4:30 and then take the tube to the Kit Kat Club to see Cabaret. I'll get to see the lighting that Joel's workplace installed. It's been fun having a glimpse of a world that is more familiar to our kids than to ourselves. I've felt like the queen.

And, then it's up at 5 a.m. to go home! Thanks for travelling with us.