London before Turkey

The train trip from Worcester to London was uneventful, but a bit longer than we had anticipated.  I left my flat clean as a whistle for the new tenants and headed for the train station.  I met Kathryn, Helen and Kaitlin and we all boarded together.  Originally, we had thought we would be able to make it in time to go to a carol service at St. Paul's, but that wasn't to be the case.  Once at Paddington, we went our separate ways to drop off our luggage.  K, K and H had arranged to go to Hammersmith to stay with one of Helen's old school friends. I, on the other hand, had booked a room closer to Victoria station so that I would be able to get to Gatwick the next day with ease.

In lieu of St. Paul's our alternative plan was to meet at the National Gallery at 2:00 p.m. 

I checked in to my hotel and headed out right away.  The London Tube system really is a wonder.  The options for getting from point A to point B, are varied and many.  The Oyster Card really makes for smooth passage  from one tube station to another. 

We had agreed to meet by the Nelson Column

at Trafalgar Square.

This was the first time I experienced communication failure on this trip.  I looked and looked, but never found my friends.  I walked around and around the base of the column, reviewing the scenes of Lord Admiral Nelson's storied career.

After some 20 minutes, I explored the rest of the square.

Finally, I went in to the Gallery.  Entrance is free, so I knew if I had to exit and return, it wouldn't be a problem.  I didn't see signs to the contrary, so I photographed the beautiful mosaic floor.

A guard immediately approached me, admonishing me not to take any additional shots.  I put away my camera and explored some of the gallery rooms.

After about 15 minutes, I decided to try and reach my friends by phone--success at last.  They indicated they had tried calling me to no avail.  My phone was charged and on, but I didn't hear anything.  Once again, I was hampered by my @!$# phone.  We met briefly near the Sainsbury's Wing and decided to go our separate ways. K & K were not interested in spending any more time at the gallery.  I went to see the Leonardo cartoon, some lovely Renaissance religious art, and then...my favorite--the impressionists.  There were Van Goghs, Monets, Manets, Renoirs, Toulousse-Lautrecs, Seurats, and on and on and on.  I regretted not entering earlier, but I did get to see a number of wonderful paintings.  As is true of so many museums and galleries, it can feel rather frustrating if one doesn't have a plan of attack.  There's so much to see and never enough time to do it all justice. I would have like to see the Rembrandts, but alas, I didn't get to that part of the gallery.

The light was fading and I didn't fancy walking around in the dark, so I headed out around 3:30.  I walked by Charing Cross and observed some lovely sights.

I picked up a salad and beverage for my supper and headed back to my simple room.

I ended up watching "Escape from Sorbibor" which seemed a fitting prelude to my trip.