Our gang of four spent the day in Maritime Greenwich, one of London's most interesting neighbourhoods. We took the river taxi from Embankment Pier, about a forty-five minute journey, during which they all graciously endured a full briefing on the history of the waterfront slums of the East End which had featured prominently in an extensive family history I had just written. At Greenwich, we climbed the hill to the Royal Observatory where we took pictures of the Prime Meridien and enjoyed views of the entire city. Back in the lovely Georgian streets below, they found a great fish and chip shop and we enjoyed a very English lunch. The afternoon we spent wandering Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and just getting caught up on each others news and goings on in New York. I'd also had a bit of a, well let's call it a romantic disappointment, and it was wonderful to have three such good friends to cheer me up and talk me round. I couldn't believe how much better I felt about it all by the end of the day and I've been fine ever since. I wish they could be here all the time!
The next day Reghan and Kristian left for Bath and the West Country and Courtnie and I boarded the Eurostar for an overnight trip to Paris.
This was her first visit to France and we tried to fit in as much as we could. The day ended with us sat on the lawns behind the Tour Eiffel, where Parisians like to congregate and picnic in the evening, and at 9 on the dot the tower played host to a dazzling blue and white light show that reflected Courtnie's feelings - Paris had dazzled her and I was so glad to be there with her.
Thursday morning we said goodbye at St Pancras as she headed to Heathrow. It's been tough to be these past 18 months away from all my friends. We talk on the phone but it's not the same as having friends with you in person. Thanks goodness London is a place everyone likes to visit!