September 1-5, 2025: Europe trip with the Lemmon's--Part 1, LONDON

Mike and I were doubly excited about going to London and Germany again this year because we invited my sister Cathy and her husband Howard Lemmon to join us! They had never been to Europe before, which made it extra special. 

On Monday September 1st, the Lemmon's flew from Nashville and we flew from Albuquerque, and the four of us met up at the Dallas TX airport. Cathy was truly shocked to see how much weight I have lost, and that was very gratifying for me, the fatter twin! She looked fabulous as always. 

From Dallas, we had a longer 7 hour flight to London and arrived in the morning on September 2nd. Mike had most of our daily itenerary planned, so things went pretty smoothly, even on the day that he was gone (meeting with the Atomic Weapons Establishment for the day). 

Monday, September 1st: Flight from Dallas to London!

Our first hotel stay was at the Frazer Suites Queens Gate in London
We dropped off our luggage and started our adventure!


Another subway ride to Windsor Castle

There's Cathy heading to Windsor Castle. It rained the first few days!

Gorgeous colorful flowers always brighten up pubs and old buildings

We were lucky to get there during the march of the King's Guards


Lots of security on the grounds

There were a lot of people lining up to see the Guards

Part of Windsor Castle seen on the left of this photo

Here comes the marching band!

And the King's Guards

More photos of Windsor Castle on this cloudy, drizzly day

The private gardens were lovely

My favorite shot of the castle

Photos taken on our way out of Windsor Castle

Mike and Howard were bosom buddies the whole trip!

London-Fitz: Our first musical together in the theater district

This show was great, and Vanessa Williams was the star!


Bringing out the cast at the end of the show

Playing Canasta and smelling Cathy's feet

We each had our own suite that included a cute kitchenette

Our room even included a small washing machine

Our hotel dining area where Howard ate the free breakfast

The hotel bar area

Wednesday, September 3rd: On a tour bus to Stonehenge and Bath

Sleeping on the tour bus


Awesome stones of Stonehenge

It was drizzly again and crazy windy there!

A replica of one of the stones

You really appreciate the significance of Stonehenge
when you see it up close and personal!

On our drive through Parade Gardens and the city of Bath

We stopped at a Thai restaurant for lunch in Bath

On our walk through Parade Gardens

Exploring the streets of Bath

The Roman Baths from the 1st century that the city was named for

Circular building in Bath patterned after Stonehenge

Thursday, September 4th: London-South Kensington
During Mike's absence, we did a lot of walking!

We went to Harrods Department Store

We saw Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

We rode on The London Eye and took photos of the city

We saw the musical "Back to the Future"

Friday, September 5th: Going to Buckingham Palace for a tour

We did go inside, but we weren't allowed to take pictures

Walk to St. Paul's Cathedral

Next stop: beautiful Saint Paul's Cathedral

We climbed a LOT of stairs on this trip!

London seen from the top of St. Paul's Cathedral

A tribute to Florence Nightingale

London-Queenhithe: Lunch from Parille, a food truck on Bread Street 

London-Southwark: Crossing Millennial Bridge

St. Paul's seen from the bridge

Shakespear's Globe Theater

Entering Borough Market. We loved this fun, busy place!

Part of the market is built under the street

Doughnut break

Walking across Tower Bridge

The River Thames seen from the bridge

Walking across Tower Bridge






Cathy basking in the warmth of the sun as we stop for a rest

On the glass floor inside Tower Bridge

Our sweet hubbies, Mike and Howard

We rode an elevator to the top of Tower Bridge

Old machinery and descriptions about how Tower Bridge 

used to be operated back in its early days. Now it's run electronically.

London-Bermondsey: Our final show outing to see "Les Miserables"

This was the BEST show!