Richard 3rd........The cad

Onward we drove to the Globe through the intricate traffic of London, over the Tower Bridge.
We had a 12NOON reservation at the Swan and just made it on time.  They placed all six of us
at a good table overlooking the Thames.  The lunch was excellent.  Walter ordered salted beef which
turned out to be corned beef.  We had a variety of courses and traded the items, from one to the
other until dessert.  Then, it arrived, a beautiful chocolate layer cake served to the strains of Happy
Birthday, Annabelle.  The surrounding luncheonites who were in hearing range clapped in joyous
delight. The chef cut the cake in six healthy slices and we chomped in unison, small succulent
pieces falling gracefully to the immaculate table below.  I detected a small tear of happiness in
Annabelle's right eye as she gazed fondly at me.  I reciprocated with a large tear dripping from my somewhat bloodshot left eye.  Oh, the mushiness of it all! Two old people in merry ole England
sharing this moment of happiness.

The performance of Richard 3rd was superb.  An almost 3 hour performance of high powered
acting.  Barri, John and the kids were entranced with the language.  Barri, of course saw Richard
as someone who was bullied in his youth because of his deformities and responded to the world
as a murderous character.  I suggested that she incorporate this Shakespearian epic as an early
example of bullying.  This suggestion, I believe fell on deaf ears since I received dull stares for
this suggestion.

Back at the Nell Gwynn, we joined the Trapps for a round of tea and discussed the day's events.
Tomorrow, The Trapps head for home while we wend our way to Harwich and a 6 day respite

                                  Oh,London

I've seen you, dirty and clean. I've seen you friendly and mean, But most of all, raucous and never serene

until we join the Jewel of the Sea for our Baltic sojourn.