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The End is Always a New Beginning

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Everything comes to an end, good, bad, or indifferent. And the cycle begins afresh for the next adventure.  As Matthew and Brienna slept I went out into the early morning headed towards St Paul’s Cathedral. I must say last night with all the hustle of traffic, I had mostly written off the London portion. That is until this morning. I headed out about 5:15 and just wandered my way around. It was fantastic. There were no people and no traffic, just me walking in perfect 58 degree weather as the sun continued to rise. Yes, there were a few here and there but mostly it was just me. Well, and this pigeon I disturbed eating breakfast.  I kept on cutting back and forth in the craggly city streets. There it is in the distance. The cathedral.  I took my time circling around and enjoying the cathedral’s architecture.  No street vendors trying to sell me trinkets, no worry of pickpockets, no angling for space to take a picture. Just me. I even set my phone on the street for som...
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Night 1 in London - Eyelids Falling

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We made it to London. Matthew and Brienna are tired.  I carried Brienna’s bag out through the airport to meet our ride. That thing is heavy from souvenirs.  I totally underestimated London traffic - what an utter nightmare. Complete gridlock from Heathrow to London. 16 miles took 2 1/2 hours.  We got to the hotel. The Montcalm at the Brewery London.  This is our swanky room.  Makes the Milan place look very bland. (Brienna again opted for me to make her a makeshift bed so she can have her own space - took the couch cushions because the mattress just would not fit.) We walked to go eat at Kennedy’s of Goswell. Brienna had a chicken sandwich, I had fish and chips traditional (cod), Matthew had fish and chips with haddock. We all tried mushy peas which is a local favorite. Next we snatched a local taxi. The driver was a lively chap talking the whole way which was nice. “I don’t need no stinkin gps to know my way around.”  He dropped us at London Tower.  I...
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Day 2 in Milan - THE Duomo and Ciao Italy

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Today is Duomo day - our only thing to do before we go to the airport. Of course, there are MANY more things in Milan to do but we only have time for this one last thing. And thank goodness, the kids are starting to look like: Had a wonderful wonderfully snacky breakfast at Sapore which in the square of the Duomo.  I had ice cream espresso, Brienna a decaf, Matthew fresh orange juice - we all had cinnamon rolls which were fantastic.  The Milan Cathedral or Duomo was started some say in 1386 at the height of the gothic style. A long string of architects and engineers have worked on this project over the centuries - even Leonardo DaVinci had his hands in the design of the tower. After we were done eating we had to go out to queue up for entry. First we went with Matthew to the side that only goes in the church. He wasn’t climbing up to the roof.  He got past the bag check and went in. Brienna and I headed for the rooftop queue.  That’s right we are going up there! We g...
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