FEMALE

First days in London... I was here with Robin just three years ago but stuck close to Chelsea, so had no idea how much London's skyline had changed! True skyscrapers poke up all over in The City proper, along the South Bank, and most notably to the east, toward the Docklands. The good news is that their architecture is wildly inventive--reminiscent of Tokyo's--making one goggle, exclaim, and ultimately laugh. We walked for hours and hours, from our hotel in Bloomsbury through the City (dropping in on Johnson's house, the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub (oldest pub extant), past St. Paul's, then across the Millennium footbridge to the south bank, crossing again and cutting west. By the time we reached my goal, the Tate, I was too tired for another pair of hours with art... Rain check for our return.

Our hotel, The Celtic, is just dandy (thank you, Julia!)--shabbily British with good beds and an excellent hot breakfast, for £108 en suite. We can leave our heavier things here for the two weeks we'll be in Sicily--a real perk. Coming back here for 3-4 nights on the other end. 

Food is still very pricey, even in the plethora of excellent, clean, and healthyfast-food chains (US take note!) that may account for the generally slimmer profile of the Brits. And we've yet to find really tasty ale... Corporatization of the pubs limits your choice unless you can locate a "free house." It's hard to fathom how the locals can afford to pass their evenings lifting pints at £4 per! 

We've enjoyed sunny, if quite cold, weather: the wind makes four layers of clothing feel like one. Our new "venom yellow" down vest, which I've been hogging, is a godsend. Looking forward to temps in the 50s in Sicily! And hopefully some kitties! (Tried to type "moggies" three times there, but was "corrected to "Maggie's.") Nary a cat in sight here, and few dogs. My hands are itching for fur!

MALE

Arrived in Palermo last night - fighting jet lag and technology (SIM card hell) - here are some of Pamela's photos from London - mine are still floating around in the ether:

First London Pub

Royal Justice Halls, The Strand

What time is it?