Way out

It was to be expected...the rain showed up in London...though just a little now and then. 

I insisted on at least one cultural adventure today so we hit the National Portrait Gallery.  Portraits of famous British subjects are on display from the Tudor period to present day. British royalty, politicians, artists and pop culture personalities. We didn't know the majority of the portrait subjects but enjoyed the museum.  I did recognize the names of members of the Tudor courts since I have read several historical fiction books set in that time period. 

There was Anne Boleyn. She certainly had a great effect on the course of western history...

as did her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I.

Princess Diana. I remember the controversy of this sitting...Diana was wearing pants...not a a dress!

All that portrait viewing makes a person thirsty. There is always a pub conveniently located.

While there are many Starbucks in London we found a new favorite place to grab quick food and coffee,  Pret a Manger or translated from French...Ready to Eat. Lots of these to be found in London. In the morning we would get a yogurt with fruit and granola to go...much better than the food at Starbucks. They had wonderful looking sandwiches, soups and salads. 

 

We finished our day with another show, "Jersey Boys," the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It was a quick-paced musical.

Some differences between the US and the UK.

In London, pedestrian crossings that tell you to look left...and look right. I think I was always looking the wrong way.

And don't look for the "Exit" sign but rather the "Way out" sign.

And when you are riding the underground you have to use your ticket to get in and get out! This is really a pain when your "day pass" on the underground decides not to work halfway through the day.  The underground was very busy almost all the times we road it...even at 10:30 p.m. We would avoid riding the metro in Paris at that time of day but there are a lot more people in London...safety in numbers.