London Trip with Palatine High School

Wednesday, December 27^th

Dave had to be at school early to drive the equipment truck to the airport.  Dave had not been feeling well for a couple of days, and the Dr. suggested he not go on the trip (acute bronchitis).  When Dave got to the airport to check in, the ticket agent must have felt pity on him, and upgraded both of us to Business Class.  Karen arrived later with the band, as she was responsible for checking in students.

We departed O’hare for our overnight flight to London.  Business class was great.  Not only did we receive a nice meal with wine and champagne, but also the seats were larger and more comfortable, and we each had our own personal TV monitor in the back of the seat in front of us.  We were unable to sleep real well, although we did doze. 

Thursday, December 28^th

We were awoken on the flight around 7:00AM (local time) for breakfast and to refresh ourselves before landing.  We arrived at Heathrow Airport, picked up our bags and cruised through customs.  We were bussed to our hotel “Kensington Palace Hotel”, which was located across the street from Kensington Palace. 

We checked in and were strongly advised not to take a nap.  As we had a couple hours before the rest of the group arrived (on another flight) we did walk around.  We met back at the hotel for our orientation and walking tour (on our own).  As we were pretty tired and Dave was still feeling ill, we stayed fairly close to the hotel.  Dinner was early with an early Light out of 10:00PM.

Friday, December 29^th

The students had a rehearsal at Wembley Hall in the morning.  While they were gone, the chaperones decided to do a little site seeing.  Karen hooked up with Misty McGlynn, the choir director’s wife, and a few others.  They grabbed a double decker bus for a ride down town and to Westminster Abbey.  As time was growing short, we took a cabbie ride back to the hotel.  After lunch, the entire group took a bus tour past St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, etc.  We had also hooked up with Greg & Peg Rogus, another pair of chaperones (Greg is a shop teacher in 211).  We became instant friends, and spent a lot of time together on the trip. 

That evening was a musical performance at the Strand Theatre of “Buddy.”  Dave was still working on getting over his illness, and that coupled with the fact that he can’t stay awake during musicals, he decided to stay at the hotel.  The show was great!  Non-stop rock & roll!  We all had a great time, and wished the show would never end!

Saturday, December 30^th

Dave was starting to feel more like himself today.  The medication had finally started to kick in.  Today we went to Windsor Castle.  The country retreat of the Queen and her family.  It was really very interesting.  There had been a fire at Windsor a couple of years ago, and they were still rebuilding portions of the Castle.  While, we were there we saw our first British Guard, the guys who stand for hours showing no expressions.  London also had a nasty ice storm this day.  Of course, it was something we were used too, being from Chicago, but they were unprepared.  People were slipping and sliding all over the place.  We had heard after we left, that they closed the castle down for visitors due to the weather.

Dinner was back at the hotel followed by an evening of concert band performances in Wembley Hall. 

Sunday, December 31^st

We took a tour of Oxford and Stratford today.  In Oxford, we were able to tour Oxford University.  It is really a quaint little town.  We had lunch with the Rogus’s at a KFC in town.  Believe it or not, there were all kinds of pictures on the walls of Chicago. Wrigley Field, the Bulls.  For a minute, we thought we were back home!

After Oxford, we traveled to Stratford, stopping to tour the childhood home of Anne Hatheway.  Anne was Shakespeare’s wife.  The history in England is simply amazing.  It’s mind boggling to imagine how people lived hundreds of years ago!

In Stratford, we visited Shakespeare’s home and also had time to visit an English pub and sample some of the faire.  What an experience.

New Year’s Eve was spent in the hotel.  Another school was bussed in for a combined party and dance.  Things went pretty well, although there was some excitement when kids were caught with booze and "pot" and a couple of chaperones decided to take matters into their own hands, instead of letting the school personel handle things. 

At midnight, we called home to wish our own kids a happy new year.  Of course it was only 6:00PM there.  And then it was time for bed.

Monday, January 1^st

Today was the London Parade.  The band took off for the parade and the chaperones were left to get to the stands were they had reserved seats.  We decided to take the Underground Train or " Tubes" and it was really quite fun.  We took the Tubes to Picadilley Circus, and walked from there.  It was a rather chilly day, but we had a great time.  After the parade we made our way back to the hotel, again riding the Tubes.

Upon returning to the hotel, the uniforms had to be packed for the trip home.  The rest of the afternoon and evening was free.

Tuesday, January 2^nd

Today was a totally Free day.  After packing the equipment for the airport, we decided we wanted to see the Tower of London with the Rogus’s.  We took the Tubes ( this was Dave’s first experience for this) and spent the day at the Tower.  We saw the Crown Jewels, the Armory, and the tower prisons.  We even saw the actual " chopping block" where many people (including Queen Anne Boulyne) lost their heads!  We heard the story of the Ravens and how as long as the Ravens remained in the Tower, no harm would come to it.  However, during WWII, London was coming under heavy German bombing attacks and so the Ravens were moved to the country and that very night, the Tower was hit!  Once returned to the Tower, the ravens have not been moved since!

 We had authentic (wrapped in newspaper) Fish and Chips today also. 

In the evening was a boat trip on the River Thames .  We spent 2 hours cruising and seeing the sites from the river.   It was wonderful!

Wednesday, January 3^rd

Time to go home.  We were split up on two flights again.  Unfortunately, Dave was unable to work the upgrade to Business Class again, so it was back with the peasants.  We left London about 3:30, and arrived at O’Hare about 5:30pm. 

What a fun trip.  We can’t wait to do it again (without the high school kids)!