Eight Days In London

Day Four: The Hereford Arms

I had a much better night of sleep as I was finally starting to adjust to the time zone. I bought myself some Jack Daniels whiskey, but once I tried it lost interest in it. I awoke at eleven-thirty looking in the mini-fridge seeing I had to go to the store again sometime soon. I decided not to worry about it though because I knew I was going to go out at the Hereford Arms with Abbey at twelve-thirty. I get dressed as I sit at the desk looking over a London guide book I bought for myself while at the airport when I arrived the first day.

In the guide book it has all of London's tourist attractions along with the times they are opened, closed, and how much they cost. I look thorough not knowing where to go next since I already ventured in the Royal Parks. It came down to two choices either The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, or Westminster. I've always wanted to see Big Ben ever since I was little, but I remember Isabell telling me we might have time to visit Big Ben. I tried calling Isabell on her mobile to see if we were going to go to Westminster but no one answered.

I decide to try back later as I saw the cost of the Tower of London being nineteen pounds and eighty pence. I also saw Tower Bridge being eight pounds as I thought maybe I'd go there today since they are both close together on Tower Hill from looking at the map. With my torn map I saw that I'd have to get off the underground station of Tower Hill.

I look at the time almost being noon and I knew I had to get ready soon to have lunch with Abbey. I put on both of my leather jackets on taking my wallet and passport. I look inside my wallet to see how much I have for lunch and see if I had enough for my proposed plan of visiting Tower Hill. I had eighty pounds including with the left over change I have in my pockets. I knew I had enough for lunch and would probably have to find an ATM somewhere to get a bit more cash.

I leave my apartment going next door on thirty-one. It was nice out with the sun gleaming, but still had the feel of winter. I was surprised not seeing hardly any snow on the ground for it was all gone. I went in next door asking both of the receptionist lady and the man with the suit and tie "Do you know where I can get a map of London? My old map got torn in half yesterday due to the weather" I said to them in the receptionist room. Soon another employee that was standing to my far right of the room answered my question.

"Sure, here you go" she said to me handing me a map of London. When she handed me the map I saw behind her was a stand that had maps of London on them. I take the map "thank you; oh and do know a place nearby where I can purchase a disposable camera?" I asked the three of them in the room.

The man with the suit and tie speaks "Yes, let me think I believe you can try the Maxwell shop or possibly the hardware store that is on Gloucester Road." "Ah ok, thanks" I replied walking out. As I was walking out I look at my watching seeing the time "twelve-eighteen, I better get going over to the Hereford Arms" I said to myself opening the door to go outside.

I go on Wetherby Place taking a right passing the Hereford Square seeing ahead of me in the distance Hereford Arms on Gloucester Road. I walk inside near the small bar ahead turning to my right seeing Abbey having her hand up waving it to get my attention. As she was getting my attention she brightly smiles happy to see me. I smile as I walk to where she was sitting at for a table for two. I sit down across from her as I began to hear Johnny Cash's tune "I walk The Line" play on the pub's radio they had playing on the ceiling's speakers.

"You're here early" I said to Abbey knowing she arrived at the pub before I did. "I just got here like three minutes ago as you're a bit early as well seeing it's twelve-twenty-five" replied Abbey with her voice a bit horse. Soon a waitress comes with the menus having glasses on and long dark blond hair. "Here are your menus can I start you two with something to drink?" she asks.

"Yes, a cup of hot tea with honey please" replied Abbey. "Ok, and what about you?" asks the waitress to me. "Um, I'm new here so what do you have?" I asked. "Oh, we have soft drinks, apple juice; or would you like a beer instead?" she suggested.