The entire city of London needs a sign, "Warning! Under Construction! Detour via Paris!" Everything is torn to bits. New buildings are going up everywhere, and the greater part of the Underground is being expanded, updated and improved--thus, many stations are closed or if open, require treks like military maneuvers to get through or around. Plus, London has 12 million people and who knows how many additional million visitors and tourists trying to use the system too! I'm complaining because our trip was impacted, but in reality, I'm jealous! I have not seen this kind of progress at home since the before the dotcom meltdown.

We were last here in 2005 or 2006. Since that time, so much is new! Spittafields Market was a popular market back then, but it was housed in an old covered, open-air building and consisted of crowded stalls selling everything imaginable and a lot of junk. Today, it's still a covered, open-air facility, but it's like shopping an upscale galleria! All new! Very glitzy! It's now a London destination for meeting, shopping, eating and hanging out. It was fun to see but not a place for serious shopping. We were looking for amazing items at cool bargains, but they just weren't there. Not to be disappointed, we changed directions and headed for Camden Markets. But the Underground changed all that as well. The entire train serving that area was closed for the day! Oh well, we came to London at this point in our trip on this particular weekend with the goal of hitting all the big markets but despite well-made plans, it just wasn't to be. So what? I'm not die-hard shopper anyway. Besides, while we may not have been able to see the markets, we did get to see two fabulous shows while we were in town! So I'm not complaining at all. We spent the rest of the afternoon with a bottle of red and a real English lunch at a terrific pub. We have such a gift and talent for finding great places! Do see the pictures!

Today, in spite of a harrowing trip through Underground detours and construction, we made it on time to our 10:53 am train for our trip to Brighton. Actually, the only reason we made the train is because it was 10 minutes late! Whew! Brighton, here we come, Michael Thomas, this one's for you!

. . . Just adding a bit more. Can you say fish and chips? Brighton is quite a surprise! First, it is much larger than I expected, and it is a little like going back in time! Old, probably once very grand hotels are built along the seaside and restaurants as well as high-end and some not so high-end shops line all the old streets. Obviously, Brighton has been a well-known beach town for a long, long time. The pier, which features a full amusement park and gigantic arcade dates back to 1899. And yes, fish and chips is to Brighton as gelato is to Florence! Several stands selling hot fish and chips are on every block. We have not sampled any yet, but it looks good--big planks of deep-fried cod served piping hot with a mound of chips, all served in a cardboard "boat" and eaten quite daintily with a little wooden two-pronged pick.

To help further set the stage for today, Great Britain is still in the midst of a late and wonderful summer spell, one of the first they've had all year, therefore, even on a Monday, the beaches, the pier, and the outdoor bars and cafes were packed with people, much like ours on July 4.

We are planning to do serious exploring tomorrow. Oh, Stan just reminded me. Today while having lunch just off North Street, at Pinocchio's, what do you suppose came out of the Unitarian church next door to entertain us? No less than a bunch of Tibetan Monks, playing long wooden horns and other unusual musical instruments and dancing a folk dance in costume! Pour moi? I remain puzzled as to how this great stuff happens to us and for us.