Europe September 2011 - Part II - Two Days in London

Its been a while since the first post, in fact the entire trip has been over for a nine days now.  So we should jump right in where we left off....

When we last saw Captain Burp and SockMonkey they were in the First Class Lounge at the Atlanta Airport waiting for the flight to London.  Here we see them just after boarding the plane.  They appear to be surveying the goods that are provided to International Business Class travelers (for the cost of the tickets you'd think you'd get a personal assistant for the flight!).

The flight over was uneventful however the ride from Gatwick into the city was an adventure.  It took two hours to go the 30 miles and it became evident the driver's main goal was to take as many back-roads through as many small villages as possible.

The next day SockMonkey and Captain Burp accompanied Daddy in to the office.  It appears that SockMonkey is in need of some coffee, must be the jet-lag setting in.

SockMonkey and Captain Burp getting their picture taken with Goldfinger himself.

Here's they are looking out the window in Daddy's office.  Didn't there used to be a building across the street?  Just around the corner is the location of where the office is moving next year, The Heron Tower.

The London office is the last office in the world still branded with the Engelhard name.  But not for long.  I believe that by the end of this year it too will be known officially as BASF.  So SockMonkey and Captain Burp just had to get their photo with the sign.

On Saturday Daddy took the two adventurers on a tour of London.   SockMonkey wanted to go window shopping, and of course she found Prada right away.

Not to be outdone The Captain made his way over to Armani.

 

But the real goal was to find Harrods and bring Grandma back a bag.  So it was onward to Herrods with all haste when near tragedy struck. 

SockMonkey WAS LEFT BEHIND!!!!

Fortunately The Captain's keen sense of awareness kicked in and Daddy was back down the block in no time to save her.  Crisis averted, now on to Herrods.

There are places on earth that I'm convinced are try-outs for new levels of Hell, and Harrods on a summer Saturday afternoon is one of those places.  Don't let the nice outside facade and smiling faces of Sockmonkey and Captain Burp fool you, inside those doors its every animal for itself!

After fighting our way tooth and nail we finally found a suitable bag for Grandma and with only slight issues at the check-out we succesfully weathered the storm and made it alive, although rather bruised and with a feeling of somehow being victimized.

Deeper into London we now plowed.  SockMonkey wanted me to point out that Brick Street actually isn't (think about it, it'll hit you in a second....there it is).

Again not to be outdone, The Captain insisted that I point out that there isn't actually a Sheraton on Sheraton Street.

Our time in London was winding down.  One last quick find before we called it a night and headed back to the hotel, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has re-imagined (whatever that means) The Wizard of Oz and it opened on The West End recently.  Liz wants to see it, but from what I've read about it so far I think the changes are derivative of Wicked, so I'm good with just getting this picture of the gang outside.

Well, that's enough of London for another few months.  They asked me to be back today (September 26) for the Relocation Kick-off, but I said I'd dial in from home, and I'm glad I did.  Looks like November will be London and Manchester, so stay tuned.....

But don't think that is all for this trip, we still have Germany and The MotherShip to go, and a week long indoctrination session to endure, so check back in a bit for those pictures and stories.

Europe September 2011 - Post 1 - Tallahasee to Atlanta

The June trip was just too much for our previous traveling friends (Captain Elbert St. Laurent & Lady Katherine von Zen) so for our latest trip abroad we've brought along Sylvia Oleander Catherine-Kuthbert Monkey (SockMonkey for short) and Air Force Caption Bertram Ulysses Randolph Patronis (Captain BURP to his friends).

Here's SockMonkey and Captain Burp waiting for our flight out of Tallahassee.  Fortunately this trip has gone smooth so far.  Our flight was a few minutes late but not the FOUR HOURS of the last trans-Atlantic trip in June.

Thus far SockMonkey and Captain Burp appear to be getting along great.  They wanted a picture taken in front of the gateway we will soon be going down to the plane that is not yet there.

The Captain checks to make sure our flight is still on time, and it is!

 Meanwhile, SockMonkey finds a great sale at the airport store.  I suddenly have a fear of how much this trip may cost...

The Captain tries to assure SockMonkey that they are not going to the moon, even though an astronaut is apparently waiting in the First Class Lounge with them.  And what were those two doing at the bar anyway....

Ah, they were getting me a much needed drink.  Thanks guys!

Well, now we're in waiting mode for the flight to London.  I intentionally booked a 5ish hour layover in order to attempt to make up for Delta's lack of ability to run an airline, and of course everything is on time so far.  But I'd rather have to be hanging out in the SkyClub in Atlanta knowing I'll make the connection than waiting in Tallahassee and have to fight my way on the plane.

Next stop London, I'll update the blog once we're there.  See you on the other side of the pond!