Chapter 24 - One Fine Day

Houses of Parliament

Dave and I just spent a lovely eight days in London with our oldest granddaughter Abigail. While we have been to London a few times, she had not, and we knew London was going to be Abigail's vibe. Our itinerary included all the tourist spots, allowing for down time and new exploration. We also had been invited to lunch by some friends we met on a recent cruise.

When we go to places for an extended period of time we always try to book an AirBnB or VRBO. This time we stayed in Notting Hill within walking distance of the famed markets and stores in Portobello Road. We browsed antique stores, thrift stores, and purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from the local street vendors. We became friends with the famous London "tube" (subway) and navigated to St Paul's Cathedral and the Globe Theatre where we saw The Merry Wives of Windsor. Abigail and I geeked out over the National Gallery as Dave waited patiently for us to catch up to him. Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason was a delightful experience. No sightseeing in London is complete without a visit to the Tower of London and a tour of the Crown Jewels. Next on our list was Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and Camden Town, both Abigail's choices, and both really fun. Our final day was at the London Eye and a walkabout past Westminster Abbey and St. James Park.

Abigail turned us on to a podcast call The Magnus Archives which takes place in and around London. I started to think about the books I've enjoyed which take place in London or England and here are some I've not mentioned before but can recommend.

The Only Light in London by Lily Graham - In London, 1939 a woman offers a spare room to a war refugee. As Finley learns more and more about the terrible things Sebastian experienced in his homeland she finds herself more and more intrigued. When Sebastian tells her he must sign up to fight with the British, Finley know she too has to do more to help fight their mutual enemy.

A History of Britain in Ten Enemies by Terry Deary - Terry Deary is the author of Horrible Histories, a series of books about British and world history with humor, facts, and gore. This book for adult readers talks about the ten enemies who have made Britain what it is - the greatest country on earth (so say the Brits). It is an amusing and factual look at British history.

The Last Letter From London by Pam Lecky - As we know World War II made a significant impact on Britain and other countries so it is no surprise that many books about London take place during this timeframe. In this 2024 book by Pam Lecky a MI5 agent is responsible for handling a double agent, Adeline Vernier, from Paris. Adeline has said she will turn over coded messages but only if Britain gets her boyfriend out of France. Sarah, her intelligence handler, is not sure who to trust as they scheme to create the perfect recovery.

The Library by Bella Osborne - This is a more contemporary tale of a young man and an older woman who bond over the love of books and their local library. When the library comes under threat of closure, Tom and Maggie must join forces to prove that it's not just about books – it's the heart of their community.

One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes - This book was written in 1946, just a year after World War II had ended. Laura and Stephen Marshall, living in a small town in England are happy the war is over and Stephen is home. Will their marriage survived the post-war years when more than just homes and gardens have to be rebuilt. I picked up this book at Hatchard's in London and read it on the plane home. If you do happen to pick this book up, please don't skip the introduction.

Is London on your must visit list? Have you been there? Let me know!