As it happens, they were so overwhelmed by Edinburgh and it’s pubs that we didn’t actually meet up! 
Despite where I work almost making it into one of their pictures by the look of it!
I did meet Cormac 262, though, who was in town last week… He and his wife were enjoying hiking all up and down the hills and streets as well!
You’re welcome to drop by if you’re back, Cicero and LVBoPeeb both.
Very sorry about that Meurglys - we did want to meet up but had wifi complications (couldn’t get onto the B & Bs network, phone did not work overseas, etc) and couldn’t get the exact place to meet up. And the pub scene was a bit overwhelming but the 20 plus hours of travel didn’t help either. Next time - we think the International will be held in Scotland in 2014 so we are saving now!
Ok…final leg of the journey…London.
We had to get the rental car back to Heathrow by 10 AM but most inquiries of how long it would take to get to London were met with blank stares. However, it turned out to take a bit over two hours and we got to the rental place only slightly late. We asked for a taxi - having found in Edinburgh that lugging bags on crowded buses was not worth it.
First sign we were in a different part of the world…the taxi was a Mercedes-Benz.
Second sign…the trip from Heathrow to our hotel cost…75 pounds :eek:. We hadn’t topped over 30 pounds previously for similar distances. Another American arrived at the same time, she took one of the regular cabs and it cost her 85 pounds. Luckily, we found a much more reasonable taxi for the return trip and a good thing since the Heathrow Express was closed down that morning due to someone going under the train.:eek:
Needless to say, I was very glad to have a surplus to my travel budget when I arrived in London and sad to say, it was quickly depleted. We were expecting things to be more expensive the entire trip and had been pleasantly surprised until London.
Our driver made us a bit nervous about our neighborhood (Near Camberwell Green) - we did go for more of bargain rate hotels in general, being two poor girls from Nevada. Next time will buck up for more centralized housing but none of our B & B’s were objectionable- all were nice people with good service.
We did ask about the bus system at the front desk and only managed to thoroughly confuse ourselves and wasted a good hour trying to figure out our instructions before we finally found the right bus (as in Edinburgh, wound up in a not great neighborhood before we wisely turned back) and ended up here…
First stop in London
We roamed the area for a while, a little intimidated by the crowds although there were some mega-rich folks around that made for interesting people-watching. Model types wearing Prada and guys in polo uniforms and the like.
We thought we did good avoiding the Olympics but didn’t count on the Paralympics being in town. We made it to Buckingham Palace (bit of a snooze, really), which was extremely crowded. Obligatory picture of one of the guards. We did find a decent pub and plotted our next day’s events since it was our last day in the U.K. and we wanted to make it count.
The next morning, we found a river bus tour. I had seen Bourdain take one on No Reservations and we liked the idea. That was, by far, the best decision we made on the entire trip. We purchased a rover pass, so we could get on and off. Witty but not overbearing commentary from the guides and open top boats make great places to observe London sites while enjoying a beer. First stop…and the one I had been looking forward to the most, was The Tower of London..
It was very cool and a bit spooky to pull up next to this on a boat. We took the Murder, Intrigue and Torture tour at the Tower, which was fun. Sobering to sit in the chapel where Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were buried. Even more so, to gaze at the area where they lost their heads.. After many hours (and more stairs than Edinburgh), we were ready to get back on the boat. This time, we headed towards Greenwich.
River Bus pics:
London flood control - got a kick out of the “If the lions are drinking, London is sinking. If the lions are drunk than London is…” saying.
Execution Dock- they hung pirates here (not recently).
The Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast
River Police- we raised our beers to them.
Cutty Sark famous clipper ship in Greenwich.
On the way back, I hit a jackpot shot. That’s the London Eye, House of Parliament, Big Ben (now Elizabeth Tower I guess) and bonus red bus.
Needless to say, the river bus was the way to go to see a good deal of sights in one day without negotiating crowds of people. The Thames itself was pretty amazing.
We wrapped up our last day in London by visiting Westminster Abbey - it was closed for tours but still had plenty to see from the outside. I wanted to put this dragon in my pocket and take it back on the plane but it wouldn’t fit.
We had our last pints in the pub, some killer Lebanese sandwiches (very friendly shop - probably the only time in London we actually chit-chatted with Londoners.) Stumbled out of bed and endured 26 hours to get home. The End.
Thanks for the update 
So you didn’t try haggis? Or just not from a tin? Because…you missed out!! I’m getting hungry right now just thinking about haggis…mmm…haggis!
Actually, I would have tried haggis, just not in a can. The opportunity never quite presented itself.
Thanks! I’ve enjoyed the thread.
