Well, less than two weeks remain until I depart for London. I should call this trip my personal European Stimulus Package. At any rate, it's my first trip abroad; you can't consider my excursions into Mexico as 'going abroad'.
My Air Canada flight leaves from Kansas City on April 28th, and after a three-hour layover in Toronto, I continue to London's Heathrow Airport, arriving at around 11:30 the morning of the 29th.
I'm staying at the Sheraton Hotel across from Heathrow. Most people would have chosen a hotel closer to the city center, but I picked this one for two reasons. First, it was wicked inexpensive, and second, you all know by now that I
love airplanes.
I have not come up with a rigid schedule of what to do; rather, knowing what I want to do when I get there, I'm just going to play it by ear. I've hired (British English for rented) a car, so I'll have the freedom to do as I wish. I won't list everything I want to do or see in England, but I am planning on updating this blog while I am over there.
Actually, there is
one special item that had to be scheduled in advance. On Monday, May 4, I'm taking the Eurostar train to Paris, and returning to London Tuesday night. I just couldn't go all the way to London without spending a couple of days in Paris. Plus, I'll get to go through the Channel Tunnel, affectionately known as The Chunnel. Paris will be awesome... I'm staying at the Hotel le Pavillon, which is about three blocks from the Eiffel Tower, and about one block from the Seine. I'll be within walking distance of the major attractions.
I return to the States on Thursday, May 7, again through Toronto. Check the blog for updates.
Wide view taken from across the river next to the Eye. 
Top of Ben.
Big Ben.
Across the street from Big Ben - I didn't know they had named a tavern after me.
Building across the street from Big Ben.
Street view near H. of P.
I had to include this.
Another street view.
Closer in, we see the taxi has my initials.
More of Ben.
Further out from across Winston Churchill Square. The people in the shot are Sri Lankan protesters you may have heard of on the news.
A final street view.
London Eye. Note the moon.
Hub and spokes look like a giant bicycle wheel.
When this photo was taken, the intended subject was the pair of musicians. I actually didn't notice my fellow observer looking up at the Eye.
Detail of one of the carriages.
The London Aquarium.
Detail on the building.
County Hall Museum.
Looking back at the Eye.
A view of the museums and Eye from Westminster Bridge.
Near the station 
Another street view near the station.
A church just up the street.
Getting close to the river; Royal Festival Hall
Approaching the pedestrian bridge
Looking across the River Thames.
Another cross-river view.
The Waterloo Bridge.
On the pedestrian bridge.
Looking down from the bridge.
Closer in.
Skyline with Waterloo Bridge in foreground
My first blue spot.
Well, less than two weeks remain until I depart for London. I should call this trip my personal European Stimulus Package. At any rate, it's my first trip abroad; you can't consider my excursions into Mexico as 'going abroad'.
We crossed that bridge to get where we were.
Trees are well in the process of leafing out. A meadow hides beyond the trees.
A bit of standing water after the rains.
The creek.
A field beyond the creek.
Mud and sand along the creek bed.
The bridge hides in the distance.
The sign informs one that the border is near.
The border.
Just inside Mexico, some shops. Please note that there are at least two to four dentists on every block.
An outdoor bar. I admit I had a couple of Corona's with lime under the grass roof.
Vendors' wares line the sidewalks.
A street just off the beaten path.
In addition to dentists, there are numerous pharmacies. Shoppers peruse the merchandise.
More shoppers on the sidewalk.
From the deck.
A pool by the laguna.
I love the palm trees.
I can't get enough of the palm trees.
What a life.