I have been thinking about this blog as we have settled into our 41 day stay in London. 🇬🇧
Like many people, I focus on the good times but we also face the challenges of any large city (like traffic, congestion, trash, and crime). The summer heat wave requires some adjustments since we don't have AC. We just got hot water back after having none for the last 10 days. Add to that the daily anxiety of what is happening the US and yeah, everything is not rosy all the time.
Saying that, I realize that we are extremely fortunate to be living like we do for now. Nothing taken for granted and I hope the same for you.
Back to the travels.....
We weren't able to get tickets to Wimbledon but were lucky to have access to all the matches on Sky TV. We spent our mornings exploring and the afternoons with the drapes closed and two fans running while we watched and read. 🎾
We have seen a few flicks at the Lexi. Nice local theater with very nice folks. Also had our first day of light rain. 💧
This was the closest train station which we used almost daily (about a ten minute walk from our place). 🚇
We took a trip down to Regent's Park ... 🦢
... and a bike ride along the Regent's Canal. 🚲
Note: I stepped off the Lime bike to take a photo, someone swiped it and rode away. Took us a few minutes how to figure out how to end the ride without the bike. Tourists beware. 👀
These were mostly historic. 📞
Wonderful stop at Daunt Books in Marylebone. 📚
Underground underpass and Louie near a local graffiti installation. 📸
Surprised how many of these I saw around town. Haven't seen them in the US for a bit. 🔓
The temple down our street was having a festival. 🪷
Looked forward to getting through these reads. 🤓
We rode bikes down to Kew Green and enjoyed an al fresco lunch before heading over to Kew Gardens. 🚲
The Hive sculpture was beautiful and you could walk inside.
One thousand LED lights glow according to the vibrations of bees that live in the Gardens.
In the background, a musical symphony responds to this activity. You might (or might not) notice that every sound is performed in the key of C – the very key that bees buzz in!
Exploring the secret life of bees on a human scale, the Hive is a space to celebrate their powerful role in sustaining life as we know it.
The Palm House was impressive but much too hot to visit! 🥵
The lily pad house was also hot but a much quicker visit. Gorgeous! 🪷
We were lucky to enjoy our homeowner's garden treats (fresh tomatoes, strawberries, and blackberries). Louie enjoyed his sun bath while we made a trifle. 😋
