Today we spent the day in downton London shopping on Regent Street, exercising the London transportation system (more on that later), having dinner at the Strand Palace Hotel and a pint and a nosh at The George Pub on The Strand.

At the George, we met this character. Kenneth Jones, 79 years young, and the absolute perfect Englishman. Ken (as he prefers) is a singer at the RAF church just off the strand, a job he has had for 37 years. Funny, very polite and an absolute joy to talk to.

When he found out that we were from Canada, he asked if we knew his 2 cousins who live in Milton which is about 35 km from where I live. As luck would have it, my father once owned a lumber yard in Milton and, though we don’t remember his cousins, it certainly goes to show what a small world it is.

What about the transportation? We’re now officially experts on the London Underground. Due to construction on the Picadilly line, we were forced to improvise so here’s how you get to Charing Cross Station and back. First, take the Picadilly Line from Hatton Cross to Acton Town. Then you transfer to the District Line and head for Ealing Broadway. Now take the Central Line Eastbound until you get to Oxford Circus. Quickly transfer to the Bakerloo train headed Southbound which finally gets you to Charing Cross.

Being all cocky, we decided to try another route home. Back on the Bakerloo Line going Northbound this time. Hop off at Paddington Station and catch British Rail’s Heathrow
Express that takes you to the airport. Walk about 5 miles up and down escalators and stairs until you get to the bus terminal. Grab the 285 and get off at the hotel.

Whew! We should have gotten frequent flier points. The London transportation system is fantastic (construction aside). Well laid out and easy to follow once you get the hang of it.

Tomorrow, we’re getting an early start and heading to Covent Garden. More shopping and then it’s off to the London Eye for a high tech view of the city. After that, we hope to grab a cruise on the Thames.

The news here in Canada over the last week hasn’t been all that encouraging. I spend a lot of time commenting on the US election race but I rarely get very worked up about happenings in my own country. So let’s look at what’s been going on.
A Canadian sailor died on the first voyage of a submarine we bought used from the British navy. Sad time but you have to wonder what kind of quality control inspection went on before we handed over the cheque for three boats that have had nothing but trouble since we got their pink slips. Our armed forces have an outstanding record – 1st and 2nd World War heroics, peacekeeping efforts around the world, snipers in Afghanistan – but our support of their needs is a joke. Used submarines, helicopters flying 20 years past their prime and sending troops to the desert in green uniforms just to name a few blunders. If we can’t supply the troops we have, perhaps we need to scale back the size of our forces. We spread ourselves too thin and have become the laughing stock of the military world.
Our minority government almost falls on its first major confrontation – the Speech From The Throne. Prime Minister Martin has to make concessions and changes to avoid being booted out on the first official day of power. It doesn’t help when the party with the 2nd highest number of seats is dedicated to splitting Quebec out of the Confederation. “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” indeed.
Closer to home, a tanker truck carrying 40,000 litres of gasoline flips over and explodes in Woodbridge, about 10 kms. from where I live. The driver is found to be legally impaired. Luckily no one is killed or seriously injuried. If this asshat ever gets to drive again, we should receive constant updates so we know which areas to avoid.
About 5 blocks from my home a young fellow is gunned down. Brampton has a few murders every year but drive-by shootings are not common. One is far too many when it’s in your backyard.
Light frost on the car windows this morning and a heavy layer on the neighbours’ roofs. Too soon, far too soon. I like fall but I prefer it without the icing.
Perhaps I’m just coming down with Seasonal Associated Disorder (SAD) early this year.