Day 286 - Home again!

And we're back! Miss us?

Phil has had to come to London to present some Brexit-related research, so of course I have taken the opportunity to tag along. It will feel like a whirlwind trip compared to the last one, but we will pack in as much as possible ... as usual.

Today was all about the flight. Up before 5:00 a.m. to catch the UP Express to the airport at 6:00. Our day flight on Air Canada (which we highly recommend over an overnight flight), left on schedule at 8:50, and landed at Heathrow at 8:10 p.m. local time. An uneventful flight (just how I like them) with Phil and I chosing the same two movies to watch: Blackkkklansman and Crazy Rich Asians. Before we knew it, we were landing.

We took the regular train line into Paddington. Travel hint here: If you want to save a few quid, avoid the Heathrow Express. From the same platform, you can get regular train service into London that makes two stops. In our case, the regular train was due in as we made it to the platform, with the Heathrow Express due in another 12 minutes. So, in fact, we arrived at about the same time as the Express, for less than half the cost.

It was about 9:30 when we arrived at Paddington, and as it was a Sunday evening, we chose to grab a bite at the pub at the station known as The Mad Bishop and Bear. Unfortunately, the kitchen was closed, but I didn't have any difficulty convincing Phil to stay put, order an ale (Tribute) and wait for me to go to the Marks and Spencer store downstairs and bring back a couple of sandwiches.

As for the name of the pub, in case you were wondering, I'll let them explain: "The land around here used to belong to the Abbey of Westminster - but was sold to the railways rather cheaply by a somewhat ‘mad’ Bishop! As for the Bear, well, this is Paddington station after all…"

We then took the Bakerloo line two stops to Maida Vale station. This is a gorgeous Grade II-listed building, which opened in 1915. It has the distinction of being the first station entirely staffed by women -- well, at least until the end of  WWI and the return of servicemen. 

From here we walked to the nearby Marriott, our home for the next three nights. The evening was a wonderfully balmy 9 degrees and we had to stop ourselves from extending the walk. 

Of course, the young man at the front desk had a Canadian connection having spent 6 months training in Montreal...and yes, he did get to experience our winters! We could see the expression of pain on his face.