Posted 6:39 AM by Christopher Holland
Special from Pamela and Rob in London
Well, Daddy and | got to sleep about 1:30 or 2 last night and woke up about 10 and hit London. This would be a blog, but the blog appears to be down, so this will have to do. After a couple minor problems (we only got one cell phone instead of the two ordered, the cab drvier couldn't find our hotel until we gave him our map, and we can't figure out the tipping policies over here), we are finally getting used to the city. Wew went on a hop-on hop-off bus tour this morning (brr) and hopped off around Trafalgar Square. There, I harrassed the pigeons and watched a million people climb up to the lions and get there picture taken. Then, I climbed up and posed with some little girl who seemed to be enjoying the fact that she was in everyone else's pictures. We finally realized we hadn't eaten anything of substance for a number of hours (unless Morning Mix counts) and we found a little pub for lunch. Daddy and I both got the cheddar sanwich on baguette--the first half was made from this morning's baguette and the second from a still warm from the oven one. MMM. Now, I'll let Daddy say a few things before this internet cafe kicks us off. (Oh, yeah, the hotel doesn't really have internet access like expedia claims--that just means that the hotel staff have access).

Hi, guys. Pamela's hit the highlights. It's pretty and sunny here, but very windy and the wind cuts through you, so we're going to do an inside activity this afternoon, go to the National Gallery. Lynn, there are two Houston style cows out in front of the National Gallery. Deja-vu.

That's all we know. Apparently we won't have any way to upload picture while we're here, but will when we get back.

Wish you were here!

Pmoon & Daddy

Posted 3:41 PM by Pamela Holland
This is the last call--if you want anything from London, let us know soon because our flight is tomorrow at 6-something in the morning. We'll probably be checking email and the blog while we're over there, but you never know. So, if you have had your heart set on a red phonebooth keychain or one of those Henry the 8th watches, now is the time.

Posted 8:55 AM by Rob Holland

I always find it fascinating how difficult it is to get foreign currency in the U.S. On previous trips, I could go to a special teller who had small amounts of pounds or francs she could dole out, but I could get it immediately. Today I went to both SunTrust and Bank of America and they told me that I have to "order" it and it takes "3-5 business days" to get it. Since I don't have that much time left before we go, I guess I'll have to depend on my handy ATM card once we arrive at Heathrow.

SunTrust told me they only give out Euros now. I informed the teller they don't take Euros in Britain.

"Oh," he said.

I guess the Queen Mum's passing will make London a little more crowded but a little more interesting while we're there. She'll be lying in state at Westminster house until the 9th, then there will be a funeral at Westminster Abbey, after which they'll bury her out at Windsor. Wonder if a ticket to that funeral is as hard to get as Final Four tickets in Atlanta today.

We're taking the van in this afternoon for repairs and picking up a rental car for a week while they uncrunch the back. They said they'd give us a "Taurus-sized" car. Guess they've had too many complaints about tiny doodlebugs.

And baseball season opens today in Atlanta with a game at the stadium. It's sold out, largely due to the large crowds in town for basketball. It's a sweet day to be in the ballpark.