The day started out with my usual activity when in a city, I did running tourism. I started out at the hotel and then ran through the central part of London, mostly along the same route that I took last night but deviated some as it was easier to tell where I was going during day light. I ran past the Horse Guards, thought St. James Park and then up to Buckingham Place back through Green Park and back to the hotel.

After the run, I walked around London and had breakfast at a nice coffee shop and then headed to Waterloo Station to catch the train to Salisbury. I passed Trafalgar Square and crossed the Thames to the south bank. I saw Westminster Palace and Big Ben and the London Eye.

After wandering London, I caught the train down to Salisbury. Camilla, David’s wife, met me at the train station and drove me the Pub where I am staying (The Greyhound https://www.greyhoundinnwilton.com/ which is quite lovely). I am staying in the Saddle Room.

The rest of the day was spent catching up the Fields and have a delightful afternoon. We had tea (very English), then David and I hiked up the fields to the top of the hill overly Bower Chalke. I found out David was actually born in the town in 1960 (home delivery as the town was snowed in). I had always wondered why Diana and Peter had retired to Bower Chalke and learned that they had lived there twice in the early 60s. It was very nice to feel like we were old friends even though we had not spent a great deal of time together over the 60 years that our families had known each other.

Another benefit and interesting connection is that David and Camilla lived in Reims, France and were big champagne enthusiasts. We discussed champagne and how wonderful it was. It was great to discuss both of our passions.

After the tea and hiking, we went over to Sarah and Will’s home for dinner. Another great time with lots of fun memories of our parents and just good camaraderie. Dinner was a delicious lasagna and salad. For the final course we had a pudding (English name for dessert). It was a late summer fruit crumble, with the best part being the double cream poured over it. Not that the crumble was not delicious, you just do not get the good double cream in the US. It is nice and amazing to have such nice connections with some fabulous people. I am grateful to be part of their life and they being part of mine. Sarah’s husband is a set designer for TV and movies and he was responsible for the sets of Bridgerton.

All in all, the day was really special and very enjoyable.