To Heathrow and starting back!

Hello! For almost the last time!

Up this morning and reassembled everything and downstairs about 7 a.m. As it is a bank holiday in the U.K. I think Dan and Phil were hoping for a lie-in. However, while Leo is a VERY good sleeper, 6:30 a.m. was about the limit for him this morning.

We had a bit of breakfast and were on the road about 8:30. Did miss saying goodbye to Marian, Phil’s Mum, who is a really wonderful lady! Hopefully, we’ll be able to catch up with her soon! And, as it was a bank holiday, there was very little traffic at all! We made it to the Sheraton at Heathrow by 9:30! We were able to get in our room, so we dropped our luggage and then headed out immediately for London. We drove the almost 2 miles to the Hounslow East tube station car park, left the car (for free, as it was a holiday!) and caught the 10 a.m. train! We were actually at the British Museum by 11-ish!

There was a HUGE crowd of visitors, but we were able to get to our two favorite things: The Rosetta Stone (which is now totally encased behind glass, which is different from the last time we saw it!) and the Elgin Marbles. Had a good look around, and also spent some time in the Mesopotamian exhibits. Hadn’t realized that the B.M. has such a good collection; will definitely be back to spend more time!

By this time it was noon, and the B.M.’s wonderful restaurant on the top floor of the great court was open. Now that is the way to go … great museum and FABULOUS food!

We started with glasses of Prosecco with our starters. R had their clear tomato consume with crayfish. I had their Caesar salad. Both were excellent! (And it’s fascinating being the first people in a restaurant where very tired sightseers are walking past, often with unhappy children – and GLARING at you while you’re having great wine and even better food!) For mains, we both took their beef fillets with a port wine reduction. They came with something called “jersey rolls” – which turned out to be some small roasted potatoes, and baked asparagus. For dessert, we both went with the special Kent strawberry menu – R had his with balsamic vinegar and pepper, and I had them with chocolate fondue…incredible! The only bad part is that we’d jointly decided that R should leave his camera at the hotel…bad decision! We’ll just have to go back and redo the meal for blogging purposes!

Saw a few other displays after lunch, but to be honest, after a great meal and two glasses of wine, we both needed naps! So, back to the Holburn tube station and out on the train. Actually had to get off at one point, as trains were running so far behind, that they were changing stops and schedules on the fly! But did manage to get back to East Hounslow, collect the car and get back to the airport. This time we stopped for gas at the Total station right across the street from the hotel – we’re now ready to head for the airport first thing tomorrow morning!

R did some work this afternoon, and I napped. We had dinner here at the hotel, and it was really good! (Why do I sound so surprised?!) R had fish and chips after his Caesar salad, and I had their salad buffet followed by their hot buffet. In no need of dessert…back to the room about 8-ish for an early night!

Take care; lots of love!
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