Mar 2013

London

High speed train (TGV Train a Grande Vitesse) from
Rijsel to London, total distance 242 km (150 miles),
about 80 minutes, average speed 185 km per hour.
Far from the TGV test train record for the fastest  wheeled
train, reaching 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on 3 April 2007.
Tunnel under the channel is 50.5 km (31.4 miles), and lowest
point is 75 meter under the sea floor.

Remember Harry Potter in St Pancras, platform 9 3/4.

And choices, choices

And at each corner, another choice. Try this one, or the next ?

And, then inside, still a lot of choices, for all the local beers.

And so many more.

For sure, not miss. Especially if you like horses:
Change of the horse guard.



And so many things to see: Big Ben, tower bridge, the towers,....

Then, I still skip all pictures of the crown jewel's, the torture rooms,
and the so many impressive museums.


Financial district, non stop building, ever changing skyline:

On the way, back, beautiful views off the Rockies. Initial some guess
work. For instance, was pretty sure to see Hetch Hetchy from the air,
but with the help of Google maps, could identify Hwy 120,
Moccasin / Don Pedro reservoir, Yosemite, Tulloch reservoir
and very clearly Mono lake.

Back home, after freezing Europe, was immediate in spring
time, greeted by many birds in my small garden.