POSTCARD: Where Did All the Pigeons Go?!

Where Did All the Pigeons Go?! Trafalgar Square, London. I remember a lot more pigeons the last time I visited Trafalgar Square, perhaps it was the season (summer instead of fall). Trafalgar Square is one of my favorite spots in all of London, there's just so much energy, from the fountains to the horde of people to the drone and rumblings of the London cabs and double-deck buses weaving around the area (it's like a big rotunda/roundabout); and then there's Lord Admiral Nelson on his tall column overlooking it all. This time around I was drawn to the spraying fountains. It's a great place to decompress before or after your visit to the National Gallery (upper right)... I just realized, I don't remember seeing any bird seed salesmen!

POSTCARD: Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

POSTCARD: St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral from the far end of the Millenium Bridge near the Tate Modern.

POSTCARD: Fish's Throw Away from Big Ben

LONDON, England, U.K.

A "fish's throw" away from Big Ben and the Parliament building, on the other side of the Thames next to the London Eye. I suppose a "fish's throw" is slightly further away than a "stone's throw" *groan*

Forecast was for rain all day long. Forecast was mercifully wrong, but it was still cold and windy. I have to admit we were lucky to see (if not feel the warmth of) the sun for most of the day.

Again my laziness haunts me, if only I used my polarizer, the harsh glare on the foreground might have been more forgiving *ugh*

POSTCARD: Thatched Roof Cottage, Cotswolds

Cotswolds, England, U.K.

One of the best maintained thatched-roof cottages in the Cotswolds area. Very storybook, don't you think? One can almost picture Snow White running out of the cottage followed by seven dwarves! I have a photo of the cottage they used as the exterior for Harry Potter's parents' house in the little village of Lacock which I will publish later, similarly built but without the thatch-roof making it look very different.

We were told by our Mad Max Tours guide that it costs £20-40K for a new roof, fortunately for the owners, a new roof lasts on average 20 years. It is interesting to note that English law stipulates that thatch-roof cottages are supposed to remain with thatch-roofs, given the cost, it's obvious only the wealthy can afford to own these.

It was raining quite heavily today, gray skies and dark clouds throughout (you should see my Stonehenge photos). We were lucky to have a brief respite from the inclement weather when we stopped here for a photo opp. Sorry, no blue skies and fluffy white clouds for Snow White today.

POSTCARD: Shepard's Pie

George Inn, Lacock, England, U.K.

Cold, rainy, and windy day traipsing through the Cotswolds made me order the piping hot Shepard's Pie on the menu of the George Inn in the village of Lacock. Shepard's Pie is roasted lamb on a bed of potatoes with various vegetables and a hefty serving of gravy. Not exactly the most visually appealing meal on the menu, but it was a very hearty and filling, and definitely hit the spot given the dreary weather outside. I had it with a tall glass of Bumbleberry juice (sounds very Harry Potter doesn't it?)

George Inn claims to be the longest running licensed pub in the U.K. The building has been around since the 1400s and the pub license since the 1600s. The charmingly quaint village of Lacock is like a live Hollywood backlot, where several scenes from the BBC Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter series, and soon-to-be released Wolfman movie were filmed.