Day 1

Day 1...a quick stop at Starbucks and we're off to see our first event of the 2012 Olympics....the Men's Cycling Road Race! The crowd is gathering for a 10:00AM start...

We cheer for the motorcycle police who graciously high-five the crowd and the support cars with bicycles on top, and I'm just guessing, Medics inside.....and finally... here come the bikes!

And there go the bikes! 10:05 - off to Harrods and Hyde Park - stay tuned!

The torch!

It was a special day in Chelsea...the Olympic torch was making it's way through the city of London, by way of helicopter, barge, tube, bus...over bridges, under arches, around museums, through parks...with stops at Number 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and even the maze at Hampton Court.....we waited with anticipation in front of the Royal Chelsea Hospital.
(Only Americans would be holding up red solo cups!)

How handsome do these Pensioners look all decked out in their distinguished red uniforms?

And Debi and I in our official USA "uniforms"!

I swear this guy held that flag up for an hour straight and the other has been trying to quit smoking for 60 years!

And look closely at this guy sitting on his cane/seat...doesn't he look just like "The Colonel" ?

And finally, what we have all been waiting for.... First - a word from our sponsors......

Now the "kissing" of the two torches and the passing of the Olympic flame.

The gentleman running with the flame is a Chelsea Pensioner and still runs marathons!

Let the games begin!

MDNA

Whoo-hoo The Madonna in Hyde Park... The sights were much more entertaining than the concert.....

But I really think this picture of the family in front of us says it all.....

Apparently we all wanted to hear some of her earlier hits!!! Don't waste your £££ or $$$!

Hard Rock Calling 2012

Hyde Park was muddy but the organisers brought in truck loads of mulch to fill in the puddles. Most of us attending the concert were prepared with rain gear and ready to face what the London weather could throw at us....it was a sight to remember!

The weather did not seem to discourage any of the ticket holders...who would miss the chance to see Lady Antbellum, John Fogerty, and the man himself - Bruce Springsteen!

It's made the headlines of every society paper and is the topic of conversation on every talk radio station...Sir Paul McCartney joined Bruce on stage for a few familiar tunes and at 10:40 someone pulled the plug! The sound went dead! The band continued to play but we could not hear a thing.....curfew was 10:30....please, on a Saturday night in London...most clubs don't even open until after midnight!

No worries, we still had a fabulous time hanging with friends, listening to Bruce on another magical summer evening in London!

bloomin' boxes

Although there is a lot of grumbling going on about all the rain we've had this spring in London, I have noticed that our own little porch addition is thriving. I took a brisk walk, between showers, around the block just to snap a few photo's of our neighbours happy flower boxes......

The pubs, The Duke and The Belgravia, and Ebury Wine Bar have never looked better....

and look what I found just popping up between the cracks - (you know you couldn't grow theses if you tried!)........

We are going to Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park Saturday and the weather forecast is "muddy, at best".....I think that means wear your wellies!

Boston Harbor

It was an exciting day to take the Hingham Ferry into Boston, a bit windy but the sun was bright and the temperature perfect. We were in search of the Liberty Fleet of Tall ships, in Boston to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812.

A trip to Boston is not complete without a stop at Legal Seafood for a few Wellfleet oysters!

On our way to Faneuil Hall Marketplace for a little shopping we passed through the new Rose F. Kennedy Greenway....15 acres of new public parkland previously consumed by the Big Dig. The gardens are beautiful with fountains for the kids to cool off on a hot July day and fun food trucks to keep the tourists happy...this truck was "Everything Grilled Cheese"!

It was a perfect day on the Habaah!