Pug’s Place

Yesterday was full and I need another 2 hours of sleep. At least. At 7:30 a bus will fetch us to go on our “5,000 years in a day” tour of Southern England. But first, yesterday: Wimbeldon and the Phantom of the Opera in Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Chris and I got in the queue at nearly precisely 7:00 am on the southern grounds of Wimbeldon. There were only 1170 people in line before us for the starting of the games at noon. Since around 5,500 “ground tickets” are sold each day for the fortnight, we made it in to the outer courts without problems. We really did not see much tennis since play was suspended 3 times in 2 hours due to rain and ~20 are required to resume.

(8:13 am now, and tour bus begins driving from London)

I’ve gotten a little sunburned from the hour of sunshine yesterday between the clouds, plus some free stuff waiting in line - Chris bought swag in one of the stores. So we each have something to show from yesterday! Oh, and speaking of the line to get in & the free stuff - Near the gate were people wearing 3-foot orange juice cartons hooked up to bar tabs on their backs, pouring free Tropicana orange juice for us. Remarkable!

We were in Wimbeldon from 7 until 4 pm, during which time Christi shopped and caught up on sleep. Then there was Phantom, which was was worth the year’s wait. Katie, good news: It’s showing now until 1 Jan 2005 so you can see it here too!! It’s fun to find that I know most all of the songs by heart, even though I’ve never seen the show before.

I rode my first subway yesterday. The London underground is fast, but not always cheaper than a cab. A cab from the Grovesnor House to Her Majesty’s Theatre was 6 pounds 20 door to door. Three people on the tube from Picaddelly Circus (~5 min walk from the Theatre) to Hyde Park (~10 minute walk from hotel) was tough… The 6 20 plus tip was worth the 15 minutes of walking, even though the masses of people celebrating last night’s victory in the football were amusing to watch!

It’s cold here. The solstice was yesterday and yet the temperatures are the worst Ganesville was last winter. I’d hate to be here in winter - especially when the Atlantic conveyer shuts off in the next 10 years…

It is 9:35 am at present, 3:35 CDT. The sun is out here and you are all asleep. I’m on Motorway M3 heading to Salisbury, Stonehenge and more…