Flew in and spent 30 minutes in customs, then walked to the Heathrow underground station and took a long train ride to the transfer station – we jumped on a transfer train and stopped at our station – Marble Arch. We turned right as we left the station and found our hotel (The Cumberland) facing the Marble Arch. We dropped off our stuff and went exploring.

Walked past McDonald’s and KFC and found the “Marlborough Head” pub – probably a chain, thoug. Good “potato niblets” and even better Guinness… no local brews. We walked to Grosenver Square – a pro-American area dedicated to American war heroes. No pubs, so we walked on. Stopped at the “Shepherd’s Mow” and had some good (somewhat warm) beer and watched a cricket game on TV. We headed to Picadilly Circus and saw the sights – stopped at a bar, too.

There really is a language barrier – we’ve had trouble being understood by the locals – they seem slightly amused. I’m worried if we’re having trouble communicating in London – I wonder if we’ll have more trouble in the countryside. We had a great Italian meal at “The Spaghetti House” and headed back to crash at the hotel.