We really lucked out with the house in London. It's as conveniently located as it is beautiful.


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For a brief moment today, Daniel was the oldest horse in the mews at Buckingham Palace being watched by the oldest visitor, Daniel. He stayed, I didn't.

Not a bad way to get there!

Leaving Boston (I cannot escape work) I was greeted by this sign at Logan.

Getting ready for our European adventure. Let the fun begin!

All great adventures start with a celebration!

While in London, we are attending a performance of Matilda: the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre.

Craige Els as Miss Trunchbull and Evie Hone as Matilda

Cambridge Theatre

Also on the program for Friday's visit to the Proms is the music from Igor Stravinsky's Petrushka ballet. To view a performance on YouTube visit here. To read Stravinsky's biography visit here.

Scene from the ballet Petrushka

While in London we will be staying at a house in Kensington.

Photo of House

Here is a description of the house!

The Victoria apartment is in the very heart of the exclusive Kensington neighbourhood in central London. This is one of the safest and most sought-after ares to live in London, inhabited by a number of Lords and Ladies as well as well-known actors and politicians. You are walking distance to Kensington Palace, beautiful Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, Museum Row and Albertopolis, loads of shops, restaurants, cafés and excellent public transport on the Tube or via those classic London double-decker buses.

Newly returned from LA, I am already looking forward with great anticipation to accompanying my son and his family to London and Paris in August. Many activities have already been planned, including, a trip to The Royal Albert Hall in London.

Royal Albert Hall, London

Kelly, Colin, and I will be attending The Proms Friday night, August 5th performance, including the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major.

While in Rancho Palos Verdes I was visited by two beautiful princesses (and, accomplished artists as is obvious from the art work on the wall behind them), pictured below.

Princess Joya, Princess Riley

Here is the view from our seats. Good sight lines and great acoustics.

Organ pipes in background

My primary motivation for this trip was the opportunity to see a performance at Disney Hall (picture below). So, Thursday night Brian, Sarah, and I are going to hear Gustavo Dudamel lead the LA Philharmonic in a performance of Mozart's Requiem (brief notes of the piece and a decent YouTube video of the piece.)

Included in the performance is The Miserere by Arvo Pärt. For those of you not familiar with his work, I encourage you to listen to the YouTube presentation and read his brief bio. I am really excited about this and about having Brian and Sarah accompany me.  Who knows - maybe there's a reality tv opportunity here!

Disney Hall

Monday, May 16 - Preparing for trip to LA.

I just confirmed my reservation and printed out my boarding pass.  Excited about flying on JetBlue's newest aircraft (see below);

Livin' the life!

Excited about returning to Key Biscayne with my family! Stay tuned for fun posts.