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BuiltByNOF

Tuesday, April 15, 2003, 21:32 UTC (10:30 pm local)

Report from London, England, by Karl Hipp

Dave Buttle apparently no longer has faith in our navigation skills in the complex European airspace as he insisted on accompanying John VB and I on the train and on the subway to the Millenium Gloucester Hotel in London, near Kensington Palace.  My Princess Judy had arrived the preceding day via Delta Airlines, traveling first class (credit card mileage), and spent Monday night with Suna and John Keates.  John, past Chief of the European Tribe, has a Twin Comanche with two partners.

Judy's arrival at the Gloucester at 11:30 a.m. coincided within minutes of ours.  John's other half, Barbara, who had spent the previous two days in Amsterdam visiting John's cousin, Dini, had arrived just a few minutes before us.  All arrivals perfectly—coincidently--coincided!!!

 

 A perfect coincidence!  John, Barbara, and Judy in London.

 

Barbara is happy to see John.

 

Lunch in London.  Barbara, John, Karl, Judy, and Dave.

After we checked in, Dave had lunch with us before departing for home.  Our foursome then proceeded to see some of the sights.  We had all been in London in 1999 prior to the ICS Convention at Cambridge.  In 1999, the big ferris wheel--at the time dubbed the "millennium wheel"--was sitting on barges on the river Thames.  Since then it has been erected, is in service, and it is now called the "London Eye".  

 

The "London Eye"

It is a substantial part of the London skyline.  It rotates one time in 45 minutes.  The "capsules" that you ride in hold about 20 persons.  Business was slow this Tuesday and we had only one other couple along for the ride.  

 
A London Eye "capsule"

 

Karl and Princess Judy encapsulated in the London Eye.

 Later, we had dinner at an Indian restaurant next to the hotel.  Very spicy stuff! 

Judy had pre-booked us at the Gloucester via the Internet before leaving Colorado and had gotten us a tremendous deal.  Good thing, since beer and food (beer is food, isn't it?) is about twice in London what we are used to paying in Colorado.

 

Karl and John, enjoying high-priced refreshments.

I have no idea what is in store for us tomorrow.  Judy leaves flight planning to me and John, and we leave everything that's non flying up to her and Barbara.

 

John, Barbara, and Judy contemplate tomorrow's fun.

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