Tom & Shannon's Visit

A day after we arrived back in London - Tom & Shannon arrived for their previously planned week-long visit. We had a great time with them, and we packed a lot of activities in while they were here.

In the middle of the week, we went to the beautiful Lake District, with its forests and mountains and meadows and, of course, lakes. The four of us got around in a rental car. Carl drove the car, Tom read the map and navigated, and Shannon pointed out signposts, announcing where we should make turns. I looked out the window and enjoyed the scenery and tried not to focus on the fact that we were on the wrong side of the road. We drove around the district to get an overview of the area, and we stopped at a few and took short hikes in the countryside on public footpaths.









One area in the Lake District was once owned by Beatrix Potter, and is home to Herdwick sheep. They are black when young, they turn brown as they age, then finally turn grey-- just like the rest of us. (Cumbria is also the home of Cumberland Sausage.)

In addition to the trip to the Lake District, we saw Shakespeare in the Park (Twelfth Night) and the musical Wicked. We also toured the Royal National Theater - getting a view of the 'behind the scenes' workings backstage. We walked in Regent's Park and Kensington Park and through several neighborhoods: Notting Hill, Chelsea, and Belgravia.

We also took a ride on the London Eye - a very large 'Ferris Wheel' that was built for the new millenium.

It offered great views of the Thames River and Big Ben.

We rode in a capsule that held about fifteen people, and that moved continuously and slowly.

It was a WONDERFUL visit!