We started off at ABIA at about 2:30pm on Saturday. Sandi and I checked in, cleared security, and made it to our gate in less than 30 minutes. 2 1/2 hours of waiting for the plane to DC. What to do, what to do.....drink and take prescription pain killers, that's what.
ABIA
We nestled into a nice spot for people watching and ordered our 1st drinks. Sandi had a bloody Mary and I went for a Maker's Mark and water. Unfortunately they didn't have Maker's (we're still in Texas for shit's sake), so I had a Knob Creek and water. After pounding the first round Sandi's knee started hurting so she took her Vicodin and I had another Knob Creek. When I closed out the tab I realized that this wasn't going to work at all $30 for 3 crappy drinks wasn't cutting it. Plus I had already pissed 4 times. I didn't want to have to weasel my way to the bathroom 5 times on a 2 1/2 hour flight to DC so I bought a water and some chocolate covered pretzels.
Made it to DC. It was supposed to take over 3 hours but with a 50 mph tail wind helped us get there in no time.
So far so good.
We had about 30 minutes before boarding for London so we stopped for a bite to eat. We made it right as the boarding was called. I got in this long ass line of jackasses only to realize that it wasn't moving. I was group 2 they were, well, losers. I jumped the line and cut in front of some big business class guy. I knew I just cut about 30 people but I wasn't gonna go to the back of the line. I figured someone would say something but the whole scene was a cluster-ufck anyways. Made it to my seat with no incident.
Sandi was in the aforementioned group of suckers that couldn't get on until the cool kids were through. She made it though. We had the window and middle. This big English dude with tattoos everywhere was hanging around our isle seat. Sandi prayed that he wouldn't be taking the spot. I guess whomever she prays to wasn't listening. He plopped down and settled in.
The view from our room in SoHo
The flight was uneventful. Unless you count getting stoned out of your mind on Ativan. About an hour in, we took a pill each. 30 minutes later, Sandi was out. I tried to watch "The Town" but had to cash in as well. We both slept at least 4 hours. Woke up with about 40 minutes left. Landed at 10:02 am local times, cleared customs behind some sticky bastards, and hopped on the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. Cab to The Bloomsbury. Unpacked, took a bath, shit, got dressed, found a pub, and started drinking.
Happy Cabbers!
I had a London Porter and Sandi had the Organic Honey Dew.
I think the pills we took on the plane were still in our system because after 1 beer each we started to feel a bit loopy. Here's a shot of the pub we were at. Great meat pies!
We finished up and headed back to the hotel. The rich food, heavy beer, and Adivan put us into a deep slumber. We napped for a good 4 hours, trying to shake the jet lag. We woke up a little groggy but hit the road to find some nice fish & chips. We settled for Rock & Sole Plaice @ 47 Endell St. It was a bit crowded so we got it to go and headed across the street to a little grocery store. Picked up a pint of Strongbow and James Smith's to wash it down. Took it back to the hotel and ate in the lobby.
We decided that we needed something sweet. The chocolate covered pretzels were't gonna cut it. Sandi had heard about a little 24 hour spot that supposed to serve great desserts. Balans Restaurant on Old Compton street. Great cappuccino & Bailey's not to mention the bread pudding and the black cherry cheesecake I got. Amazing stuff.
Trying to lighten the mood and wake up
I was gonna take pictures but after my experience in Paris a few years back I decided to keep the target off my back and not look so much like a tourist.
We came back to the hotel planning to hit up another pub and drink the night way until Sandi took her shoes off and decided she was too comfortable to go out into the cold again.
So two showers later, we're lying in bed and getting ready to face another day in London town. I can't wait!
In the meantime, check out my Facebook page. I've been updating it more than this. Plus I've added more pictures.
Tomorrow: Sandi will be working so I'm gonna hit up a museum, Hyde Park, some pubs, vintage shops, book stores, and whatever else strikes my fancy.
Hope everyone is doing great!
