London. Take 2.

I rose early and soaked my feet.

At breakfast, I sipped my tea and watched as men carried the all the Christmas trees around the hotel.

Afterwards, we strolled through Hyde Park in the brisk morning air.  The winter carnival sat quietly in sharp contrast to the hum and lights of the previous evening.

At the lakeshore, we watched the fat ducks and swans.

The trees were turning colors and the leaves were falling gently to the ground.  

A modern arch framed Kensington Palace in the distance.  The palace was built in 1689 and is still used by royal families.  Princess Diana resided there until her death.

As we meandered down the path we reached the fountains--a beautiful maze of flowing water with a jutting medieval tower where large haunting birds were perched.

Soon we were back on Oxford street being enticed to shop by the elaborately decorated store fronts.

At every intersection "look right" and "look left" are stamped on the ground to remind American tourists that the traffic flow is different in London.  As the cars zipped down the street my sense of self preservation adapted quickly.

The British signs made me smile too.  I found their labels very literal.  

Lift = Elevator
Toilet = Restroom

Way In = Entrance

Way Out = Exit

Tube/Underground = Subway

Mind your step = Watch your step

Disabled Toilet = Handicapped Restroom

Carriage = Taxi

Give Way = Yield

Returning to the hotel at midmorning, my husband donned his suit in preparation for the awards luncheon.  By 11:30 AM champagne was being circulated amidst the gathering crowd.  Soon we were ushered into the ballroom.  The ornate room was dimly lit with massive sparkling chandeliers.  Tables covered with white tablecloths and gleaming with silverware and glasses filled the column lined room.  There were as many glasses as pieces of silverware at each setting (in other words lots of each).  The appetizers arrived and the accompanying wine was poured, and when the plate was swept away I was down one fork and one glass.  The entree was accompanied by another wine.  Then dessert...and another wine.  Then came the trays of meat, cheese, and olives.  And another tray of sweets.  In the meantime, the international tunneling presentation rolled forward.  The Bay Tunnel was highly commended a.k.a. runner-up/second place--a great accomplishment!  Per the invitation, carriage time was 5 PM.

The Bay Tunnel group was headed to dinner later at a nearby pub, and we tried to join them, unsuccessfully, as they were no where to be seen; however, a second door farther down the street opened to a staircase and another dining room (not accessible from the inside of the pub).  Thinking we failed to find the right location, we roamed back down Oxford street where my favorite Christmas lights twinkled overhead.

"City sidewalks, busy sidewalks...It's Christmas time in the city."  We explored the British department stores and found a few things to take home to the kids--who were never far from our minds.  By 9 PM the stores started to close and we walked back to our hotel, exhausted.

That elusive sleep came more easily--until the telephone rang!  It was 8:30 AM and we were late for breakfast! 

London. Take 1.

In 1841 the tunnel beneath the Thames River in London was finally completed.  It was the first known tunnel beneath a body of water.  In 1869 it was purchased by the underground railway and the steam trains immediately started rolling through it.  It still remains part of the underground system today.

Thus I arrived in London 172 years later for the International Tunneling Awards with my tunneling husband.

Wintry gray skies greeted us as the plane taxied down the runway.  Soon we would be piling into the "carriage" and cruising down the wrong side of the road into the city.

Darkness was rapidly descending when the doorman in his top hat and long, tailed coat greeted us at our hotel, so we made a quick change and walked to Oxford street which was bustling with shoppers.  Hungry, we dove into the first restaurant we found.  It was a lucky find, as the Italian fare was utterly delightful!

Later in the evening, we stepped inside our first pub--welcoming the warmth.  Wooden planks lined the floor and hues of red and gold adorned the walls and elaborate drapes hung round the windows.  Though the cozy room was filled with people, voices merely murmured around us--very different than noisy American restaurants and bars.  Pubs are oft referred to as gathering houses, and it was obvious that drinking was not the primary purpose of the patrons.

Back at the hotel, we tried to sleep during the hours we generally are awake--very tricky!

Early the next morning, the adventure began on the Red Bus Tour where we were perched at the top of the double decker bus in the front row which granted us great views of London.  Our guide sat with us, as we were the only patrons for the first hour.  We listened closely to his stories, as we adjusted to the British accent.  We rolled by all the famous scenes of London.

The curved street and buildings exemplified the adaptions of a city settled long ago before roads were filled with cars. 

In Trafalger Square, we saw the Blue Rooster which a female sculpture contributed to offset all the military statues.  She is appealing to the British sense of humor, as the blue color and the animal represent France.  Trafalger Square is named after the 1805 Battle of Trafalger when Britain defeated France.

Falconry keeps the pigeons at bay in the square--and a fine of £500 for feeding the birds.

We stepped off the bus at Buckingham Palace and joined the throngs of people outside the palace gates.    The horse guard trotted down the road.

After snapping a few photos, we walked down the sidewalk towards the pier. Ron noticed the horse guard lining up a few blocks away, so we detoured and watched the changing of the horse guard.

We resumed walking to the pier and waited for our ferry ride to the Tower of London.  The deep voice of Big Ben began to reverberate above us--twelve times.

From the river Thames, we drifted by the London Eye, the Globe, the oldest pub, and as our ride drew nigh we had a spectacular view of the Tower Bridge.

Debarking at the pier, we walked up to the Tower of London. The castle maze started with the original structure in the center erected in 1080.  The massive stone rooms were cold and grey.  The stairs wound up the towers.  Walking along the outer castle walls overlooking the moat, we could survey the area.  We were treading over 933 years of history and where the kings and queens had trod.  The tower aptly named, the Bloody Tower, had final words etched in the stones from prisoners before they met their fate--reminded us of barbaric times in history.  Juxtaposed nearby were the Crown Jewels.  A massive display of Knights' Armor--including some that belonged to the kings that once lived at the tower of London.  Growing weary, we stopped to dine at the Raven's Kiosk.  Charles II decreed that six ravens should always guard the Tower of London otherwise, according to legend, the white tower will fall and  terrible disaster will befall England.  Nonetheless, the warm pot pie gave us strength to carry on our journey!

The outer castle walls appear to be lined with crosses--my impression that it was religious protection was quickly corrected when I learned that they are accesses for archers to protect the castle.

Wearily we trudged to the bus stop as the sun started to slip lower in sky.

For dinner we enjoy fish and chips at nearby pub, as I sipped on my first glass of mulled wine.

Hotel. Sweet. Hotel.

Driver II

A driving permit has been issued for Kiahra.

Two weeks ago she passed her written test (with none to spare).

One week ago she survived her first professional driving lesson.

Now she is legal to drive with us.

She drove around yesterday afternoon with her father.  They found errands to keep themselves entertained.

She came home smiling.

How did my baby girl go from crawling to driving so quickly?

That reminds me...Kiahra stood before she walked.  She could stand up in the middle of the room and play, but she would not take a step.  No way.

When she wanted to cover ground she crawled. She decided she was ready to take her first steps several months later.  Of course, she already had balance so those first steps were rather uneventful.

She doesn't clamor to drive, and she is cautious, but soon she will be driving comfortably.

It will take me longer to accept this rite of passage...

for I remember her "helping" her daddy

Reflection

From the wharf, Nikela and I watched the seals swimming in the Santa Cruz waters.

Her senior year is causing me to pause and reflect often.

On this day, it was the last time she would march along the beach in Santa Cruz.

Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch on the wharf, as we watched the sailboats from our table window.

Conversation moved from the present to the future and back again.

Water polo. 

College applications.

Scholarships opportunities.

Explorer police academy.

Four years ago we moved to California.

She was a mere freshman back then.

After graduation we will move...again.

But these years have been good.

We reflect on all our memories with smiles and laughter.

We pause when the nostalgia makes our voices catch.

Change is hard.

Like our reflection, life's journey is constantly changing.

But each moment forms us, and for this moment I reflect with gratitude.

Sailing

"Kiahra, is mom around?"

"No, she said she was going to the bank to get money to buy a sailboat."

"What?"

"Maybe you should call her, dad."

A few moments later my cell phone was ringing.

It all started when Kade was checking out the garage sale around the corner.  A 10-foot sailboat was sitting on the lawn with the sail flapping in the breeze.

A boy's dream come true.

He learned to sail at boy scout camp, and since then he has been obsessed with sailing.

First he turned on the charm, as he politely inquired about the little boat.  By the time, he walked away, I think the lady would have given the boat to him.  However, a mere $50 dollars would buy him the boat.

Next he returned home with a "sails" pitch especially for me.

I had seen the boat the day before, and I had anticipated him spotting it on his way home from school, but he didn't because they had put it away already.  I mistakenly thought it was sold.

Reluctantly, I meandered over to the garage sale with my son.  The lady told me she would sell if for $35 to Kade--"He is a great kid...blah, blah, blah..."

I told her I would go get some cash, so Kade could buy the boat.

Before I was even back, the man of the house was out showing Kade all the "ropes" of his new sailboat.  He patiently instructed the boys (yes, by this time Kade already had a friend from the neighborhood ready to try sailing) and threw in a few extra items including a lifejacket and a sailboat guide.

I handed the lady $60 and told her I didn't need change.

With his dad at work, Kade was impatient to try the boat, but I told him he had to wait.  Luckily for him, his dad came home an hour later--I think he was still worried about what we were up to!

Anyway, a little silicon touched up the cracks, and soon we were loading the sailboat into the truck with a couple kayaks.

Did I mention my son said he would rather get a sailboat than go to Halloween Haunt at the amusement park with his friends?  He spent the late afternoon on the water instead.

The wind was strong.  The rudder was not working properly in the beginning, but with a few adjustments, Kade made it work.  We circled in the kayaks keeping an eye on the boys--and the entertainment was plentiful!

Cruising across the water looked so fun!

Until...

Actually the video quality is better at http://youtu.be/wHbzhBpl_xw

Flag Football

Football.  

Boys push each other around and throw a ball.  And it takes a long time when you are freezing in the bleachers.

Frankly, I did not understand the game in high school.  

Then I married a man who loves football.  I still didn't get it.  

Then we moved to Pittsburgh.  I tried harder to understand the game as my hubby and kids joined the Steelers football mania.  

I slowly started to grasp the general idea of the game.

But nothing teaches you a game like watching your son play.

#20 keeps an eye on the action as his dad lends a helping hand.

Ready to spring into action. 

Flag football requires two hand blocking.

As the cleats dig into the dirt, muscles strain and the battle is on!

His last game he had a 10 yard run and several good blocks.  He played offense on the first string.

And he came home grinning because boys like to chase the football and push each other around.

I am "getting" the concept now, but the bleacher seats are still cold.

Do not fly with me.  Ever.

At first, it may seem harmless, as the flight boards and takes off early.  We may even soar through the skies uneventfully for the first few hours.

However, the plane may be diverted due to a thunderstorm in Dallas, and then it will land in Oklahoma City and sit on the runway for nearly 4 hours.  (Yes, I know the FDA requires deboarding after 3 hours, but who wants to get off when there are no connecting flights to your destination?)

Eventually, we will be cleared for landing in Dallas, so the plane will take off again and an hour later arrive.

At this point, the last connecting flight left hours ago, and it is too late to route through Atlanta or Detroit because it will be too late to connect there either.

"The 8:45 AM flight has seats available."

That translates into 14 hours overnight at the Dallas airport unless I want to catch a cab and find a hotel.

Next option?

I check all the flights into neighboring cities: Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Louis.  St. Louis has a seat for me, so St. Louis it is.

Of course this flight is delayed another hour, but eventually it does take off.

Upon landing I find the rental car agency at 10:30 PM.  I do not get the deal of the century on a rental car, but now I no longer care.  I started this trek 13 1/2 hours ago.

Then I drive into the night for nearly 3 hours.  I have never been so happy to see my sister's house.

Thus a 7 hour flight plan translates into 16.5 hours.

So.  Do not fly with me.  Ever.