With the sun beaming in during breakfast, a summer dress seemed a good choice for a Sunday afternoon. But within an hour, the clouds rolled in, lightening cracked, and rain was on its way. No worries. This is London, and I had a plan to take a break from the busy Stratford area and see some of the city. So, weather… or not… and there WAS weather… I grabbed an umbrella, an Underground tube map, and headed out.
Many people were coming into Stratford Station to Olympic Park, but the Central Line West Bound was virtually empty. A half hour later, at the Westminster stop, I walked past people huddled in the exit tunnel to stay dry. Anxious to get going, I stepped right into the rain and a spectacular site.
Westminster in all it’s architectural glory rising high against a stormy sky. And the river — with ferry boats and a ferris wheel, called the Eye , across the way? Just jaw dropping. It is a magnificent scene. By the time I crossed Westminster Bridge, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and the Olympic rings in the middle of the city were just some of the beautiful scenes of the day.
Next stop, across the Waterloo Bridge to Covent Garden to meet up withSteve Luke of NBC 7 San Diego, who took a day off from his daily TV reports to see the city. We started in the Theatre District with signs such as The Lion King playing at the Lyceum Theatre. Then over to Travalgar Square where a dozen men in orange suits entertained a big crowd (plenty of Olympic spectators for sure) with their music including the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” Everyone’s iPhones were recording.
We cut through a side street that was nearly empty, and while we had been seeing athletes and tourists non-stop, the next sighting was unexpected.
Walking down the sidewalk two men were ahead of us. One appeared to be an athlete from the back. As we passed by, and looked left, Steve and I both realized who it was. I said, to the man, “Oh, hello, I recognize you… Wow.” We introduced ourselves and why we were here and Steve promptly asked if we could take a picture with him. He was very soft-spoken, friendly and appreciative. He was Evander Holyfield: 5-time World Champion Heavyweight Champion. We didn’t really ask him what he was doing here — but figured the boxing legend and former Olympian, was part of the London 2012 boxing events. Funny… Steve and I were JUST saying how you just never know who you’re going to meet on a trip like this.
We moved along to St. James’s Park, a beautiful canopy of huge green leafy trees offering a natural umbrella for the occasional raindrops. As we made our way toward Buckingham Palace, I had a deja vus; a flashback of being 18 years old. That’s the last time I visited London, and (I’m dating myself) my parents and I camped out all night with 400,000 other onlookers waiting to see Prince Charles and Princess Diana after they were wed. I walked right to the spot, and called my mom. It’s also where I met Jane Pauley and Tom Brokaw of NBC News, as I was heading to college and on to a broadcasting career. (full story in my book!)
By this point it’s 6-oclock and we sit on a bench to let my feet (in new pink flats!) take a bit of a rest. The people watching and listening are part of the fun. Onward through Hyde Park (where I’ll see Beach Volleyball Wednesday) and Speaker’s Corner, where a man was literally on a (soap) box talking about politics, and a group bantered with him. After a stop at one of the nicest McDonald’s I’ve seen, up by Marble Arch, with hip furniture and a stick figure on the “female” restroom, we caught the Tube to nearby Notting Hill.
I loved the movie,and wondered if Hugh Grant might like to join us for dinner! (Yes, we were tourists– map, questions and all!) After winding through a lovely neighborhood with lots of white buildings and bright doors, we spot a gold colored pub on the corner called “The Sun in Splendour” with a Fish and Chips special, a flat screen showing the Olympics, and a warm and welcoming authentic atmosphere. After friendly conversations with locals then the Canadians and the Norweigians at the next table, we walk through Notting Hill’s Portobello Street, and at 10 o’clock, part at the tunnel for the Red and Green lines. 6 hours of pictures, talking and nearly non-stop walking! Should have had my pedometer.
So weather or not, this Sunday in London is one for the scrapbook.