five day heat wave

We are experiencing a five day heat wave here and they might shut down some of the Underground trains on tuesday because its going to be over 30 degrees C. That is only 86 F but it gets much much hotter than that on the packed trains.

Last Friday we tested out the margaritas and nachos at our local mexican restaurant (called Nachos). It was decent but nothing compared to our old milwaukee favorites. I don't think London has as many hispanic immigrants as Milwaukee so it really is not a fair contest.

On Saturday, England was knocked out of the world cup by Portugal. They put up a good fight, but alas they lost.

On Sunday we had a fabulous day of walking (maybe about 15 miles). we went all the way out to the Highgate cemetery where famous people like Karl Marx are burried, but we didnt make it into the actual cemetery because it was private. Maybe we will go back someday for a formal tour if a historically inclined person visits us. It was a very gorgeous hilly neighborhood with beautiful parks and tree lined streets. We stumbled onto Hampstead Heath an 800 acre patch of nature just northwest of central london and it was quite a good find. It has ponds you can swim in, ponds you can fish in and a beautiful view of central London from atop a large hill.

Later that afternoon, we wandered around the markets of old London near John's office. The markets were full of tasty ethnic foods, hand made treasures and unique vintage items. We had a hearty english lunch/dinner at the square pie booth. It was like a gourmet square pot pie, filled with steak and had mash on the side. The old victorian markets and the skinny winding brick streets of old London that are still in use are amazing.

Later Sunday night we wandered more near our neighborhood of chelsea. Walking thru the posh streets of Cheyne Walk. We discovered Battersea Park just south of Chelsea over the River Thames. It is huge and full of gardens, trees, ponds, a zoo, and a giant pagoda with a giant gold Buddha.