Return to London

On Saturday morning, June 9, Peter and I got up and packed as Andrew got the boat ready to travel without us back down the Llangollen Canal.  The ever-changeable weather lived up to its reputation, and the somewhat sunny early morning became one of downpours as we got ready to set off.  Andrew decided to stay for a while at the mooring to see if the weather would improve, but we had buses and trains to catch.  We left the boat a little after 8 a.m.  I was a bit worried that would would miss the train that was scheduled to depart Ruabon at 8:41, but the 8:20 bus got us to the station in plenty of time.  I had asked Peter what we would do for an hour until the next train if we missed the 8:41, and he suggested we could sit in the station and read to pass the time.  However, the station was locked up, so we went to the shelter on the platform, where we learned that the 8:41 was cancelled!  The next train was due to arrive at 9:43, so we waited.  About 9:15, the display indicated that the 9:43 was also cancelled.  Reviewing our options, we decided to get on the next bus and travel to Wrexham, where we could catch another bus to Whitchurch.  Five men from Norway, expecting to catch the 9:43 arrived at the shelter just as we were getting ready to return to the bus shelter, and they followed us to the bus that was just arriving.  The people getting off the bus for the 9:43 train turned around and re-boarded the steamy bus, which was now full of people and their luggage. 

We made it safely to Wrexham and found the bus to Whitchurch.  As we were on the hour-long ride to Whitchurch, Peter started making phone calls to taxi companies there to arrange for a ride to Market Drayton, where we had left the car eight days earlier.  The situation was looking bleak as one after the other told him that they were busy because of races at Chester that day.  Finally, after about half a dozen calls, he found a taxi and a driver.  Whew!  The taxi arrived at the Tesco/bus terminal only a few minutes after the bus arrived in Whitchurch, and we enjoyed a pleasant ride and chat with the driver on our way to the canal marina.

We needed to mail some Scotland guidebooks back to Liz (which Katya has stashed in the pocket of the seat and I hadn’t even realized we had until we unloaded the car to get on Pegotty), so we went to the center of Market Drayton to find the post office.  After mailing the package to Liz, we walked around town, where we found buildings from the 16^th century, a market area from the 1800’s and St. Mary’s Church.  Built on the site of a former Saxon church, the church architecture includes a Norman doorway from 1150, an English Gothic tower from the early 14^th century, and later Georgian and Victorian features. 

Tudor building from 1653 in Market Drayton

St. Marys Church

The drive to London took about 3 hours, and the weather became clearer as we approached the city.  When we arrived at Wendy and Don’s house, the kids informed us that the weather had been lovely in London all week!  After a short rest (and a cup of tea for Peter), the four of us left to go to the heart of London.  Our first destination was a store recommended to the kids by Andrew, the Forbidden Planet.  This cult entertainment megastore is indeed a destination for anyone with a keen interest in such things as science fiction, fantasy, manga and anime, gaming, or comic books.  The stock includes books, comic books, clothing, games, novelty items, collectibles, DVD’s and a plethora of other items.  Katya and Matthew were overwhelmed and excited.  Peter and I were bored pretty quickly, so we went outside to explore the nearby upscale pedestrian streets. 

Katya and Matthew outside Forbidden Planet

 After the kids were done shopping, we found an Italian restaurant for dinner.  Then we walked around the West End as the theater-goers were arriving for the many musicals and plays.

West End theaters

From there, we walked to the Embankment and across the Thames and then rode the Underground from Waterloo Station to London Bridge, exiting by the Shard, the tallest building in Europe.  Following our nephew Simon’s advice, we rode up on one of the superfast elevators to a trendy place midway up the edgy, towering structure called Aquashard.  Most people were dressed up for a night on the town, caring about their appearances; we had on casual daytime clothing and were obviously not styling.  I would have been content to take a quick look at the views from the windows and snap a few shots, but Peter insisted on buying each of us an expensive drink, so we lingered as the sun set.  The views were panoramic, but the beauty of the Thames meandering through the city of London is somewhat marred, I think, by the ubiquitous, brightly colored construction cranes that punctuate the cityscape as real estate reaches for the sky. 

London Bridge over the Thames from Aquashard

It was surprising and interesting that this trendy bar and restaurant had window decorations and displays of candy (which Katya found edible, although I’m not sure it was supposed to be eaten) and enlarged book covers from the works of Roald Dahl, who was born 100 years ago.  A great fan of this author, I enjoyed the tribute. 

Quentin Blake's Matilda at the Aquashard at sunset

Aquashard at sunset

Katya probably drank her wine too quickly and fell asleep on the subway.  Her stupor probably contributed to the fact that, in the jostling crowd outside the station that included some people who looked less than reputable, her Oyster card (the London public transit card) was stolen.  Luckily, it only had a couple pounds of credit on it, so it was not a big loss (although she mourned the loss of the Slytherin case she was carrying it in) and was a good lesson for her about staying alert in a big city.