A note to remember . .

A dear friend of mine, a B.F.F. even, sent me a note when I left for London that I think of and smile.

It went like this:

Have a safe and comfortable flight, my BFF! I spent the summer of 1974 in England and loved it! Especially the rainy night I went to a pub with two handsome Englishmen. As the patrons in their Burberry trench coats came into the pub, they shook the water off their umbrellas and settled at the polished wood tables with their drinks. I think someone brought a large dog in as well. The rainy drive over the green downs, the Englishmen, the pub, the warm lager – this evening could have been a scene from a movie! I hope you have your own move-scene evening in England! Let me know when it happens.

Your BFF, Ronnie

Another full day . .

It may be called the London temple but it is nowhere near being within the city limits. But either way we loaded up the bus and set off to spend a few hours in the House of the Lord.

In true British fashion, we were greeted very politely, shuffled through and sent on our way. It was a perfect morning.

When we got back to the city, a group of us hopped on the Tube towards Picadilly Circus for a matinee of The 39 Steps. What talent, what humor, what entertainment.

And without a moment to catch our breathe after the show, we headed to the Aguirre family’s home on the outskirts of London.

In true Argentine fashion, we were greeted with shouting and enthusiasm, flooded with food and chatter, and hardly able to leave. It was a perfect evening.

British with a capital b . .

Before June 7, 2011, I had never felt more British.

A game of cricket in Hyde Park in the morning.
Afternoon tea at Kensington Palace in the afternoon.
And an evening showing of Mouse Trap, the world’s longest running play, at St. Martin’s Theatre.

Oh London, how I’ll miss thee.

Bathing in Bath . .

Visiting the baths in Bath, England was a treat. I’ve been hot tubbing in Provo more times than I can count so seeing the roots of hot tubbing just helped me to justify all of those late night dips during college.

The Romans went for more than to show off their “hot bods” (not why I go either), they went to meditate and worship in the natural springs – genius!

After learning this, five us grabbed our suits, paid our dues and took an overpriced, but much enjoyed, dip in an authentic bath – a roman bath.