Engaging in traditions in a local pub...Memorable!...London? We like it!...A year ago...disposing of vitamins and clothing...

When we arrived at Andover Arms, the second night in a row, this sign was placed on the same table where we'd sat the previous night. This was special to us, making us feel welcomed when we were warmly greeted at the door.

After exceeding our budget on sightseeing in Paris, we've decided to curtail the expenses in London if possible. Within walking distance of several museums in our area of Kensington which surprisingly are free to enter, we can easily stay busy for days.

The Andover Arms is staffed by the most friendly people on the planet both at the bar and when dining. We were welcomed as if we were old friends.

Tom tried a local beer at Andover Arms the first night. We returned the second night for the popular "roast" dinner.

With the upcoming 10 hour Downton Abbey and Oxford tour this Wednesday, we'd allocated for one more pre-planned tour. After reviewing many options, we decided on a big bus tour which includes the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Later in the day, the tours will be concluding with a two hour cruise on the Thames River. What a perfect day that will be on the 25th as well as this Wednesday.

Sightseeing is one thing. Interacting in a local establishment in an entirely different experience. These types of places are where memories are made for us, not in a museum or old building.

Hopefully, it won't rain as much as it did yesterday when we didn't go out until midday and we walked around the fabulous South Kensington area, a mere few blocks from the hotel.

Tom's Guinness Pie on the first night, a delicious meat stew filled pastry, atop mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

With dozens of casual restaurants one after another, we read one outdoor menu after menu fascinated with the options available, most of which would work for both of us one way or another. Prices? High.

My delicious roast chicken with avocados and veggies, on the first visit.

Most main courses are no less than US $30, 18 pounds, with many much higher. There are no American fast food restaurants or chains other than one Starbucks.

Tom hadn't been drinking but, he looks as if he'd had a few.

We decided if we tried a new restaurant each of the next 13 nights, we'd never be concerned about repeats. Since arriving in London two days ago, we've had dinner at the same restaurant twice, Andover Arms, rated #2 in TripAdvsor of 17,136 dining options.

Last night, our waitress took this goofy shot of us.

After a phenomenal dinner on Saturday night, we booked it again the next night before leaving when our new friends from Vancouver recommended we return for the amazing Sunday night "roast," cooking various meats to juice dripping tenderness. I was served this huge leg of lamb as shown in the photo below.

As we waited for our return taxi after dinner the first night, a patron offered to take our photo. Blurry.

For the first time in our travels, I couldn't finish my plate of food last night when I've never felt full having the usual small portion of protein and veggies. Last night was the exception.

As much as we'd love to return to Andover Arms one more time, the taxi fare is outrageous at US $50, 30 pounds, round trip. With all the nearby options, we'll have no trouble deciding where to dine.

Flowers at Andover Arms.

The first night at Andover Arms we were thrown for a loop when we saw meal being served. They were so impressive, I asked a couple and their daughter at another table if I could take photos of their food. Little did I know that Tom had ordered the Guinness Pie (beef) and soon his would arrive.

Andover Arms is genuine English pub in a cozy neighborhood filled with tourists and locals engaged in loud cheerful chatter with the smells of fabulous home cooked food wafting through the air.

Tom's roast beef dinner last night. His meat portion was one quarter as much as my lamb. Otherwise, he loved it.

The family of three are from Vancouver where we'll be arriving for a six days stay before we board the ship to Hawaii. We all hit it off so well, we may get together in Vancouver for dinner if all works out.

This was my all day roasted leg of lamb, popular of Sunday night's "roast." I tried but I couldn't eat the entire thing.

I never touched my included extra plate of veggies when the lamb was so filling and delicious.

Sitting at their table sharing travel stories couldn't have been more enjoyable. It was thrilling to finally be chatting with English speaking people after months in Morocco and Portugal and most recently Paris.

After dinner, we walked to South Kensington, walking along the interesting streets to this ice cream parlor where Tom bought a double scoop cone.

London is a friendly place. That fact alone is making our time here memorable. From the people at the desk in the hotel, to the shop clerks where we purchased nuts, to the people walking in the streets, saying, "Excuse me," when bumping on the sidewalk, its a whole new world that we appreciate more than we can say.

Tom had a hard time deciding on his two flavors. Would that I could have chosen, I'd have had no trouble.

How we so easily take pleasantries for granted when suddenly all that is taken away. In part, the friendliness adds to our wonderful memories of Marloth Park, South Africa.

For an additional cost, one could purchase one of these specialty cones to be filled with scoops of their choice.

With enough activities planned to keep us entertained providing enough fodder for our stories and photos of London, we feel relaxed as we sit in the lobby early this morning writing now.

Tom, last night, with his two scoop cone.

Oops, its my turn to run to the hotel bar to get another tiny tub of ice for our iced tea, hopefully enough to last as we finish today's post and then take off on foot for a day in London.

We'll be back!
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Photo from one year ago today, August 18, 2013:

Not only did we unload tons of clothes but also disposed of our remaining supply ofvitamins other than B6 for preventing kidney stones for Tom, B complex for me and probiotics for both of us. We had to lighten the load. A year later, we're no worse for the wear without the others. For details from that date when we made piles of clothing to donate,
please click here.