Air Canada Flight 860 from Halifax to Heathrow departed on time near midnight and touched down 9:30 am GMT Saturday, March 8th/08. With not much rest (I was excited) we hit the ground running making "lickity-split" connections at customs ("I'm not going to eat you Miss") and the Heathrow Express to streak into Paddington Station in London. Heathrow is a monster, but it was well signed and we weren't in there very long at all. One stop for pre-paid tickets for the express train and downtown we went. After a quick glimpse at the map... we headed for the chosen route.

• Kensington Gardens - Just south of Paddington Station is Kensington Gardens. We entered the gates and took the walkway down the western side of the Serpentine (lake in the park). We passed the Peter Pan Monument and stayed on the path meeting runners and families out for exercise. The park was being prepared for grooming, and signs of spring maintenance were everywhere. We visited Diana's Memorial just south of the lake and pondered it's rather unremarkable design. Relationship to Diana aside, we sauntered around watching the constant flow of water and passers by. At the South end of the park we came upon Albert Memorial located directly across from Royal Albert Hall. A large and ornate monument, Albert Memorial was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband, Prince Albert, who died of typhoid. Lots of gilded statue and an impressive landmark.
• Natural History Museum - South Kensington is home to Royal Albert Hall, Harrods, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. We spent time in the Natural History museum, with free entry, visiting several exhibits including the Central Hall, Mammal and Dinosaur exhibits and the mineral collections. An awesome piece of architecture worth seeing on its own. We knew immediately that our kids would have enjoyed it!!! We left the Natural History Museum, passed Harrods and headed back into the Royal Parks. My first dabble with the camera sent my picture of Harrods and Janie in a little red phone booth as spinning video sensations. Got things straightened out though, and we were back in order by the time we got to Hyde Park.
• Hyde Park - We entered the park from South Kensington and picked up on a path at the base of the park called the "Rotten Row". It's fame is related to the fact that it was the first artificially lit highway in Britain (an attempt to make travel more safe from highwaymen). There were lots of folks out in exercise mode, as runners and cyclists were whirring by regularly. We followed the route through to the South eastern corner and Queen Elizabeth Gate, and onward to Green Park towards QEII's residence.
• Buckingham Palace - Skirting St. James Park, we quickly came upon Buckingham Palace, taking time to first have a glimpse (and a picture) of Janie and I in front of Canada Gate, which is adjacent to the palace. Out front of the palace there were a hundred or so tourists snapping pictures of the facade (with flag raised) and nestled around Queen Victoria Monument, located immediately in front. We spoke with several other couples here and exchanged "picture taking" opportunities. The palace is closed to visitors except for the months of August and September when state rooms are opened. We walked the broad sidewalks of "The Mall" from Buckingham palace towards Admiralty Arch, the southern entrance to the Trafalgar Square area. In the distance we could see the "Horse Guards Parade" and the lake in St. James Park.
• Trafalgar Square - Every city seems to have it's focal points. Located centrally in the plaza is Nelson's Monument, where old Horatio seems to be gazing over all of London, and Trafalgar Square. We crossed through the square, which hosted National Women's Day demonstrations that afternoon, making our way to the National Gallery for our next stop. St. Martins-in-the-Field (under construction), the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Canadian Embassy (Saturday and closed) encircled the square.
• National Gallery - Whoa... what an amazing collection of art. On a breezy, damp London afternoon this was exactly what we needed. We covered a substantial portion of the gallery, viewing works by Van Gogh, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Gainsborough and Monet among many others. My knowledge of the "masters" is minimal, but as one passes from piece to piece he/she can't help but be overwhelmed with the moment and space. Jane and I both enjoyed the time very much and began to look forward to future stops at galleries in Paris. After leaving the gallery we stopped and had sandwiches, coffee and a much needed seat at a square-side eatery before making our way to check-in at Saturday's accommodations.
• Accommodations - Days Inn Waterloo - What a great place to stay. We located the accommodations easily, were made to feel very welcome and found a very comfortable little second floor room. This Days Inn included what we came to call the "Wonder Breakfast", which we took advantage of both mornings and really set us off on a strong foot for what became very busy days. We quickly made ourselves at home and freshened up, purchased some supplies (wine, food, etc) from a local grocer and leaving bags behind we headed back out for a ten minute walk to the London Eye. I also appreciated the "timed internet access point" near the elevator which enabled an e-mail check and some contact home.
• London Eye/Wheel - No problem finding the London Eye. It's a fixture in the London skyline. Even less problem getting on it!!! We arrived at the site about an hour before flight time (as is suggested), picked up our Eye and Tut tickets at County Hall, and walked the promenade with it's accomplished street performers and view of the Thames and UK Parliament buildings. We strolled over as far as Southbank Centre, then made our way back. Although early for the flight, the attendant put us into the line and we were boarding in short order. Now I'm not one for heights, but the eye was a pretty easy ride. The capsules take about 30 minutes for a complete trip. We had a dusk trip, but you could still see very well as most lights had come on as well. Great view of London.
• Piccadilly Circus - Being a bit ahead of schedule, we decided it was much too early to call our first night in London quits so we hopped on the Subway at Waterloo Station and headed for Piccadilly Square. London's answer to Times Square... Piccadilly was jammed with tourists. It's an incredibly awkward intersection with immense advertising lights which glow over the entire area. We popped out of the Tube like gophers and were instantly moving throughout the crowds and staking a view of the lights and statue of Eros located centrally in the intersection. After about half an hour we headed back for the tube and smooth sailing home.