LONDON Day One: Arrival

Wednesday May 7th

Deplaning at Heathrow was not at all as expected. The reason for the long delay became evident when finally reaching the door. There was no mechanized causeway. What greeted me was two flights of stairs with a landing at half point. Now ordinarily this would not seem that daunting however carrying my 20 pound bag while clutching the handrail was not welcome. The extra weight on my 70 year old knees caused them to groan in disapproval. I was shocked that this was not announced before exiting and there were no offers by crew to help. For once I wanted to look older and more unfit. I have deplaned via stairs before, but not one so far off the ground. A new experience indeed. Nod to the Outlander scene where Claire and Frank are deplanning in New York City. I know that my photo makes the steps look flat but I assure you this was steeper than it looks.

Well that was just the start of my misadventures. “Chin up buttercup!”

Once on the tarmac we were shuttled into buses which took us through the bowels of Heathrow airport including a section signed “Extremely Dangerous Traffic Area.” Having survived that serapentine travel and made it quickly through the automated customs (all done biometricly without human contact) and then successfully navigating to the correct area to catch the train to London. Stopped off to top of my Oyster Card only to be told the green District Line was experiencing “Extreme Delays.” So back up to where I came from to take the Piccadly line going East and then transfer backtracking going west to make it to my destination at Earl’s Court.

Two hours later than expected I arrived at my final destination for the next 3 nights. 20 Nevern Place. The staff remade the twins into a queen and let me check in early. Yay!

Off on foot to the Victoria & Albert Museum. By the time I got to The Natural History Museum I could feel the day’s travel hitting me. Rather than pop in I just strode right by. However I did love the title of this exhibit.

And also spotted this delightful pair of old phone booths.

On to the Victoria & Albert where I wanted to view more of the SHELDON tapestries having seen the largest intact one in Warwick and an exhibit of others at the Oxford Bodliean Library.

The museum is a gem of life and joy set in an inspiring architecture.  As I had planned to eat in the Cafe there and did so I marvelked at its beauty in a city of beautiful things.  Not to be missed.

And the courtyard is just as lovely. Caught two youngsters playing in the water which delighted me.

Finally Albert Hall.

I thought of the BBC series Victoria and Albert. It may be a romanticized view but it was a golden age in England. Intricate and opulent but not heavy or morose. Interesting juxtaposition of monuments. The first Victoria’s Tribute to her husband and the second a memorial after her death.

As often happens as one wanders about there are delightful moments like these two faithful servants exhibiting patience. I used to say “the English love their gardens, their tea their Queen and their dogs, not necessarily in that order.”

Rather than walk to the Diana monument I happened upon “The Flower Walk” which turned out to be magical. Greeted by very friendly squirrels and a robin greeter posed perfectly for photos in front of a matching bed of wallflowers. Three green parrots squalked loudly. Drawing my eyes overhead, as they flew off. They reminded me of San Francisco’s parrots of Telegraph Hill.  Guessing they were once domestic gone wild and looking them up they are known as Ring-necked parakeets native to Africa.

The trees and flower display were stunning in this quarter of a mile walk.

The day was not yet done. But that will wait for a new post as I fall farther and farther behind. Perhaps it was a good thing that I was delayed in arriving as I jammed so much into this first day. As you will note, this diary is both in words and photos. 

More to come.

Kelly Wheaton © 2025 – All Rights Reserved.