I also wanted to get my boots fixed. One fo the gussets broke while I was hiking. I couldn't find one open. I guess I can live without it. I won't be hiking for awhile.
We did a few more errands and went back to Kevin's. We arrived about 5:00. Kevin was there with some friend. One was an American, who also is in England for work. The other chap was definitely English and I had a hard time understanding him.
We cooked hamburgers for dinner. The gas grill just ran out of gas so I tried to cook them in the oven without the smoke alarm going off. I was not successful, but was able to cook them on the stove. Certainly not as good as the grill.
I got my bags packed ready to go to Oslo. I am not taking my tent, sleeping bag, cooking stove, and pot. In its place I am bringing books on Europe. I don't know if it is any lighter. We decided not to bring the tents because we plan on staying in hostels. Most of the hostels had sleepings sacks without a charge. Hostels don't let you use sleeping bags. I am bringing a fleece zip bag just in case I get stuck some place.
July 13, 2003
I got up early to do the last bit of clothes that needed washing.
When I got back we went to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard. We were there maybe a little after ten. It didn't start until 11:30. People already had the gate space filled. So we stood by the gate and waited.
After all that waiting, people pushing, the hot sun beating on me, people smelling bad (hey, I took my shower today) I wasn't that impressed. I couldn't see much and by then I was hot, tired, and smelly myself.
The guards looked funny with their gib black hats. From the back it looked like oversized Asian heads with thick black hair on a bad hair day. It took a long time as it was a long process. I finally dug my way through the crowd to get some fresh air. I had seen enough of what I could see through the small gate space I had. Next time I will wait for a rainy day. Maybe less people will be there.
Afterwards we found a nice shady area to get cooled off. We walked through a park. Not sure what one. Then we walked, and walked, and walked. We went through Piccadillly Circus,Traflagon Square, and then we had to get to the bus station to get our tickets for tomorrow, that takes us to the airport to fly to Oslo.
Lauri and I headed back to Kevin's. We just searched on the internet for information on various things. I don't know how people travel without it! It does take a lot of time researching everything.
It was nice to be there and hang out. I couldn't believe how quickly the time flew. Tomorrow I'll be writing from Oslo.
