London: First day, three seasons

 St. Patrick's Day 2023

London is new to me yet feels like home with East coast charm and architecture. Susie and I are staying at the Bentley in Kensington.  It is a lovely old hotel with just 64 suites. Each one has pretty tapestry, high ceilings,  ornate chandeliers and marble bathrooms. I'm happy that the beds are firm and comfortable and the neighborhood is quiet at night. Our first night, the 16th, was an uneventful time of settling in (we changed rooms once) and finding dinner. One pub was noisy and full so we opted for a quiet steak house where we could chat and plan our time wisely.  The "chocolate fed" beef was delicious. 

Today we started out at 9am and walked for 8 milesthrough spring (mild temps, flowers blooming and buds and forming on trees) to fall chill and poring rain, to early summer warmth and sun that was all too brief. 

We began with breakfast at Le Petit Cafe, a charming French inspired restaurant where we were the only guests. In the hallway to the Loo were clever framed art that added just the right amount of charm and laughter to start our day. 

Our first stop; Westminster Abby.  I've been to many spectacular churches but this one was so interesting for several reasons. Historically significant, a who's who of those buried within, and not the same grandeur that one expects having seen televised events from there. It is darkly lit with multiple chapels, hidden hallways and cold stone interior.  If the walls could talk and time travel were possible one would be kept busy for many lifetimes attending funerals for so many historically significant people.

For our next stop we were transported back in history by an Uber boat to The Tower of London with views of the London Bridge. Thankfully,  the rain stopped and the sun brought blue skys as we walked stone paths and explored mid-eveil stone buildings that once housed royals and the damned.  Now a museum of roylal armour, life-sized wooden horses, and beautiful crown jewels. 

Famished and tired, had a delicious late lunch at Dishoon, a busy Indian restaurant where lines form early and wait times can be long. The food was a sumptuous combination of fragrant spices, silky sauces bathing tender chicken that melted in the mouth. I began to consider that maybe I do need to travel to India. 

Our feet briefly rested, we walked off the garlic Naan by passing through Covenant Gardens, China Town and the theater district. We explored a local grocery store, chose food for our breakfast and I fell into bed and was asleep before 9 pm. Tomorrow Susie visits relatives and I hit the museums on my own.