I have to say, when you write a title like that, there is definitely no denying that you are old. When I was sixteen (yes, I'm revealing my age here), my friend Shelley's father organized a tour as part of the local college to London, Paris and Brussels. As they had extra seats on the trip, Shelley got to go and invited me and another friend Jeni. Here we are, 20 years later, back in London and amazed at just how we could have been such idiots at that age. Unfortunately, the pictures from our first trip are in storage otherwise I would have posted a few of those along with the new ones. Now that would have been highly entertaining.
You can't really see them due to my poor photographer skills, but trust me that Shelley and Jeni are in town from the States for a visit. I had a fantastic time showing off the town, eating good food, going to a show and touring about.
The traditional photo of Big Ben... Parliament.
You know we are not the only tourists in the area when you have to navigate the stairs thanks to the giant shopping cart of kitsch.
At first I thought I was looking at Westminster Abbey, and then I realized this was Parliament. Sure beats the heck out of some of my old office buildings.
I had to get a picture of Abraham Lincoln in England. Not sure why Honest Abe is adorned in Parliament Square but it was nice to see him.
We also wandered through Chinatown on the way to the theater. It's prettier in real life. Trust me.
Back in Windsor, I dragged Shelley and Jeni all over the Great Park. First I got yelled at by a guy in his car. I was going about 2 mph and still somehow I ended up being the idiot. Then we walked through the park to the end of the Long Walk. Here I'm trying to get a photo with Tucker - we are in the lower right hand corner. Just ignore the two dudes having their lunch in my tourist photo. Hopefully you have a good idea of the scale of this statue as Tucker looks so tiny!
A close up. Very Julius Cesar like if I do say so myself.
Another picture of the horseman. Not sure why... maybe because I have like 7 of them....
Looking back towards the castle at the end of the long walk. Rumor has it that it is approximately 3 miles back to the portcullis at the castle. Surely it can't be that far? (By the way, notice the lovely weather? Okay. So it was a bit chilly but the sun WAS out)
Shelley and Jeni playing tourist. It's all fun and games until you push the wrong button on the camera.
Lastly, back through the Great Park and around to the obelisk. We had a great walk which was even better when the walk stopped at the pub. That's why you have to love England. A few more photos to follow but in the end, just a great time with two of my oldest friends. I cannot wait until we get together again. I'm gushing. Yes, I'm gushing.
We had better weather this year and more first time duathlon participants. Here John Booker is surrounded by the ladies before the race.
John makes his way down the finishing stretch. Last year he beat me by about a minute. This year I beat him by over 8 minutes. I know it's wrong to feel good about that - especially since he hasn't been running much. However, it's nice to know that I almost took him on the bike. :o)
Funny enough, I ended up with a prize at the end of the race. I finished in 13th place, but ended up with 3rd prize. During the first run (it was a 5K/20K/5K race), the lead pack went the wrong way and got themselves disqualified. Luckily, I was just far enough back with someone who kept me from taking a wrong term so I ended up in 3rd place. Not bad to get a new jersey and some socks for being slow.... go 13th place! By the way, it's race season for the next month or so. That means I'm going to have more than the usual amounts of lycra, neoprene and sweaty photos to share. The good news is I get to travel for a few of them. Oh yeah. 
Mr. Miahgi would be proud. Daniel-son!
