London greeted us with mild but cloudy and sometimes sprinkling weather; however, it was perfect for walking and walking we did as we trailed behind our dear friend, Londoner, and tour guide, Martyn. You'd think a guy would slow down at his age (80), but he is undaunted and full of vigor. Nothing makes him happier now days than to show off his home city. We met him and his wife, Ruth, hiking in Tuscany almost 20 years ago and he's still at it. Together we spent a week tubing and hoofing down by the Thames, to Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, the West End and all the surrounds. We boated to Greenwich for a spectacular retrospective of Turners paintings - the all time master of marine painting of the 1800's and visited the Victoria & Albert Museum. We laughed ourselves silly through the satirical and a bit shocking "Book of Mormon". Such talent they have in London! Every night we began the evening with champagne to toast to our visit, then ate and drank fine wine in a favorite restaurant of Martyn's -- places free from tourists except for us.
And, to top it all off John and I slept until at least 10 AM every morning. True relaxation. It was a perfect week -- a perfect holiday to start the Christmas holiday.
