Saturday, May 5, 2018

May 5, 1969

I arrive in London's Heathrow Airport at 12:30 PM.  My diary says that I took a bus to the TWA terminal in the city.  What is that all about?  I have no idea.  Anyway, I also commented that we passed the Queen and her escort on the way into the city.  I do remember that being pointed out to us.

From whatever that terminal was we took a cab to the Hansel and Gretel Hotel at 68 Belgrave, London, SW.  I looked it up and it is now part of the Sidney Hotel with a three-star rating.  When we stayed there it was a basic pensione.  I do remember that we had a wonderful English breakfast.  I also remember a picture of the room where the two of us barely fit.

I am not sure how we were able to do anything after the long haul getting there, but my diary says that we visited Westminster Abbey.
Westminster-Abbey
By Σπάρτακος [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

We also visited Parliament and saw Big Ben.
Parliament at Sunset
By Mайкл Гиммельфарб (Mike Gimelfarb) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

My diary says that not only were we staying in the Westminster borough, but that we walked all over it.  I spent $5.00.  And so ends day one.

15 comments:

  1. Sometimes diaries are helpful with memories. Sometimes... not so much. Sounds like a fun trip, though!

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    1. I kept a diary when I was going through my divorce and then burned it in the fireplace. Writing is sometimes a great way to relieve stress.

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  2. I was living near there in 1969. I wonder if we ever passed each other in the street!

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  3. I have always written diaries of trips and its great looking through them. Great photos.

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    1. Photos are thanks to Wikipedia and the wonderful folks who allow them to be used.

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  4. I’m going to enjoy this so much! We visited Westminster Abbey after arriving in London, too, because we couldn’t get into our hotel.

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  5. The energy of youth! ☺ Westminster Abbey is an amazing place. So much to see and do in London. Looking forward to your future instalments.

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  6. It's a long way from the airport to the centre of London which is probably why you took the TWA bus to their office. Matt once sang in the Abbey as a youngster for George V and daughters.

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    1. Thank you for that info. Doubt that airlines provide any free transportation anymore. Cool that Matt sung for the King.

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  7. walked all over it... Lordy how I miss those days when I could have walked allover anywhere! What a testimony to your youth, Denise, that you weren't hung over with jet lag!

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    1. I laughed when I read that, too. When I got to Moscow a few years ago,all I could do was go to bed.

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  8. I liked the name of the hotel you stayed at. Glad to hear it is still around in one way or another. It would be interesting why you had to go to that terminal. Not for luggage I would imagine.

    betty

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    1. I think Jo explained it above. Airlines would bring folks in from the terminal to the city since it was such a great distance. Not likely to happen in this day and age.

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  9. I love it! I have kept travel diaries and when we are younger, we are more energetic and can keep going. I am a firm believer to keep going after landing because of the time difference.

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