Tour Day 12 & 13: Cab, Train, Bus, Boat, London, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Theatre, Food
Day 12, Thursday We left York by train to London’s King Cross station (St. Pancras is next door). A new bus and driver picked us and our luggage up. Roy pointed out London sights on the way to Westminster Abbey. After touring Westminster with all it’s history and stain glass, we met a local guide who took us on a London walking tour. The bus then picked us up and we checked into our hotel. Roy and Liz oriented us to the tube station and provided us our oyster cards. Stay to the left. Our first trip was from Gloucester road to Leicester square on the Piccadilly line. Roy gave us a walking tour of the area including the TKTS Booth for discount Theatre tickets. Liz suggested I may like Beautiful, The Carol King Story. She was so right. That evening I took a very scenic route back to the hotel somehow finding the Embankment tube station rather than Leister square. Tips: Your guide may ask for volunteers to ride in the cabs with the luggage from the hotel to York train station. Rest of the tour group walks. I rode with the luggage and had a lovely conversation with the cab driver. When you exit the tube station, look back to find landmarks so you can find it again. Remember the name of the tube station or take a photo of the sign. If lost, ask someone in a uniform for directions. I asked several people which way to the tube station rather than Leister square. Explains why I ended up at the Embankment. If you are by a hotel, go in and ask for directions or an area map.
Roy and local London guide
Attending Beautiful, The Carol King Story, I sat next to 4 locals, a retired advertiser and 3 of his friends, one of whom was a nurse. Together we laughed and wept to the music and story of Beautiful.
Westminster Abbey Carvings
Day 13, Friday Today we toured the Tower of London and saw the Beefeaters, all retired military. Then on to a cruise on the River Thames. The afternoon was free before meeting back at the hotel for our group dinner. Since a snap election had been called, I was able to get a ticket to tour Parliament. We said our good byes at our last group dinner at Pumpkins. The food during the tour was wonderful. Loved the lamb, duck, fish, sticky toffee pudding and wonderful desserts.