London: Last full day

I woke up to sunshine. Just a few things to check off my list for this trip. I've enjoyed traveling via "The Tube." Underground transportation is fast and efficient.  Above ground groans to a hault,  the meter "gaining" lbs as each minute ticks off regardless of the lack of forward movement. The traffic in London is worse than NYC if that is possible!

Today I visited Covent Garden which does not live up to its name. No real garden. Just shops full of trinkets, teas, and other specialty items. There's a plethora of chocolate and candy shops, a whole block where Shakeshack resides, and a couple of pubs. Nearby is the Royal Opera house and several office buildings. There's even a church for actors. 

I spent some time in the National Portrait gallery where paintings and photos of all the royals reside. Additionally,  there is every well known actor, author, and public officer. There's almost an entire floor dedicated to the Tutors. Well represented are English nobles and the military.  

Due to the intermittent rain I decided to go back to my hotel and get a nap. I had a date for dinner with a Chinese restaurant.  In the evening I headed back to Chinatown and found the restaurant I'd been looking for. Turns out the reason we ate in this one a year ago was because the one we wanted to eat at was too full and not accepting more customers.  The same thing applied this time. So I chose second best nearby. It was rustic but the food was delicious and very reasonable.  I was not disappointed.  

Friday was a travel day. Which was fine because it was a chilly overcast day with intermittent rain again. London in the fall! Not wanting to trudge around in the rain, I took a cab arranged by the hotel. Traffic at noon was insane. Narrow streets lined with parked cars kept the pace of movement to a crawl. It is definitely more efficient to go to Paddington and catch the Heathrow Express. 

There is a lot to do in and around London. I loved my stay there. I highly recommend a visit to Oxford.  I should have gone by train to Windsor.  Getting out of the city to small quaint towns is what I'll do next visit. 

Today I meet Liana at Heathrow and we're off to Milano!!

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