We thought we needed to catch the 9:04 R4 bus at Lifford Hall (bus stop just around the corner from where we are staying), but after arriving it became apparent the bus would come at 9:29. We have a long wait was we had arrived early, but found a bench in the grass across the street. It is overcast, but not too chilly. The bus costs 7.40 Pounds for two tickets for Evesham. Our train to London Paddington station leaves at 10:35 so we will have time to wait for the train. About a twenty two minute ride and then a short walk to the train station. The two tickets on GWR (Great Western Railway) cost 96.40 Pounds and no senior discount. The weather in London is very warm so I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt. While waiting at the station it is not warm for me...
Evesham Train Station
The train trip will take us to London Paddington Station. On arrival we know to connect to the Tube via Bakerloo Line and then south to Waterloo station. Lana renews our Oyster Cards with 20 Pounds each credit and into the Underground we go. When we arrived at Paddington Station you could really feel the energy of the big city. As much as I love spending time in the countryside and enjoy all that it offers, the buzz of the city is a real draw for me. So many people in such a hurry. We find the platform and correct direction and into the train. A little bit of a ride and then up into London city from multiple escalators.
London Paddington Station
It is a beautiful warm and sunny day so I am dressed perfectly of the warmth. Lana uses her Google Map app to navigate us to the huge hotel. We had some problems finding the actual entrance though. We are beside the London Eye, London Bridge and across from Big Ben and the massive Parliament Buildings complex. Room 424 is a premium upgrade as Lana has status with the Marriott Hotel chain with all her business travelling.
We stopped at Oxford! No sight of the famous University though.
Lana sitting beside a statue of Paddington the bear in Paddington Station. She recommends both the Paddington movies if you haven't seen them!
London Waterloo Underground Station 
We are room 424 of the London Marriott County Hall Hotel. T'his picture is through our hotel window. We can almost reach out and touch the London Eye. 
Another picture from our hotel window. This time Big Been and the Parliament Buildings. Very excellent location for most of the major sites along the Thames. 
While we did have a couple of sandwiches and some carrots on the trains we were both peckish. Lana has access to the Club Lounge on level 5. To get from the elevator to our room is about a five minute walk. We grab some goodies in the lounge and just relax at a table. Time to head back to the room for showers and get ready for our 17:15 reservation at
Ave Mario Italian Restaurant. Primarily, we are in London to spend time with our friends Tina and Adrian. They moved to London from Vancouver around ten years ago. Their two children Max and Fiona were born in London and we are looking forward to seeing everyone. It will be interesting to speak with their kids given they have British accents.
It has been a few years since we visited London together. We showered and put on some casual clothes (shorts) and decided to slowly make our way to the north side of the Thames and to the restaurant located in the Covent Gardens neighbourhood. It is very warm and the riverside is full of people of a wide diversity. We enjoyed the energy of the city and seeing the sights. We walked across the bridge and into the Covent Gardens area into an open plaza and came across this busker.
Funny guy who is an excellent gymnast. Unfortunately, we did not get to see his final act as we needed to get to the restaurant on time.
First room you encounter when you enter Ave Mario (picture from the internet) is this collection of loud colours. This place is all about energy and stimulation. This is a highly rated Italian restaurant in a busy touristy area of south London. Our meal was pretty good overall. All six of us enjoyed our meals inclusive of appetizers, mains and desserts.
We ordered the La Gran Carbonara with pecorino, guanciale, egg yolk and pepper. It is a dish for two people served in a whole round of pecorino cheese. A very well executed carbonara--which can be tricky to make!
The chef comes to your table and mixes the spaghetti in the actual cheese round.
Lana's drink of an extra large Cherry Bomb Spritz--cherry liquor, cherry puree, lemonade, prosecco.
Our plate of La Gran Carbonara came with lots of freshly ground black pepper! Yum!!
The bottom floor accessed by a long stairwell. Kind of a shock entering this space and seeing the kitchen. the ceiling has a mirror which really makes all the lights and movement double what you see.
Normally, we don't take pictures of toilets, but couldn't help ourselves. This was the toilet tank that refilled with water after you flushed. Yes, this was the color of light inside the stalls!!
Casual walk back to our hotel with all six of us. The two kids sat on their parent's bicycles while each parent pushed their adult bike. Beautiful night with London still warm and there are many people navigating in the dark. Back to the hotel and up to the Lounge on Level 5 where we grab a glass of red wine and some chocolate covered goodies to end the night.
Stats for today = 14,000 steps and 11 floors. We have tomorrow open until another dinner reservation at 18:00. Relaxing in our hotel room and watching some tv.
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