Episode 1/22

@ Serene Expanse
~pickles~ begins her tour of "London" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Map of England, London and East
The pets enjoy a tranquil Hertfordshire landscape before moving south towards London. They see the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and then move on to central London to visit iconic sights. Mind the Gap—they take a trip on the Tube to Baker Street, home of the legendary Sherlock Holmes! They see a typical London pub and see some friendly bobbies guarding the Palace. The pets will then head east to visit a football ground and the scene of a yearly pop festival before finishing the tour in the tranquil surroundings of a mediaeval cathedral city.
Serene Expanse
Our pets began their London excursion by first enjoying the calming vista of Hexton, a small village outside of the bustling city. Being here on the way to the royal city is like taking a deep breath of fresh air before plunging into all of the sights and sounds they are about to experience.

Episode 2/22

@ Not An Ugly Duckling
"What's the next stop, Garnet?" asked ~pickles~.
"Hang about, I'll have a butcher's at the itinerary," said ~pickles~ proudly. "Oh, Garnet, I love this Cockney rhyming slang!"
On being pressed for explanation, ~pickles~ said that "butcher's" was short for "butcher's hook", meaning "look".
Not An Ugly Duckling
Another stop before entering the royal city is at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. While this beautiful swan is peaceful to look at, one can hear the sounds of the city not too far away.

Episode 3/22

@ Palace Police
“Pass me the binoculars, ~pickles~!” said Moya. "I think that's a sparrowhawk just taking off over there!"
Palace Police
One can't be in the royal city of London and not visit the Royal Palace. Unlike the palace guard, these "bobbies" are smiling and don't carry guns. The presence of security helps our pets feel secure.

Episode 4/22

@ Time for a Parade
"I love this gift shop! I'm going to buy this souvenir," declared Mochi. "Hey, ~pickles~, can you lend me a few silver moles in case I'm a bit short?"
"Sorry, I'm boracic," said ~pickles~, then burst out laughing. "It's more rhyming slang, Mochi. 'Boracic' is short for 'boracic lint' and means 'skint'."
Time for a Parade
Our pets are just in time for a parade of the Horse Guards down the Mall. What a sight of pageantry along with the mighty sounds of many hooves. [Horse Guards riding down Mall, near Victoria Monument]

Episode 5/22

@ Totally Tourists
"I've just heard Alastair greet Moriarty with 'Morning, squire!' " said Midnight Majesty. "I like it! I shall use it to greet the next pet I meet."
"Remember it can only be used by male pets to greet other male pets, Midnight Majesty," advised ~pickles~.
Totally Tourists
Our pets know all of the places to see while in London, including Westminster Bridge and Big Ben! They decide to wait until the clock hands reach the top of the hour to hear the loud resonating chimes.

Episode 6/22

@ Sunset Over a Palace
"It's grand having a hot air balloon ride and seeing things from above, isn't it, MK?" asked ~pickles~. "It gives such a different perspective."
"Oh goodness, do you remember how poor Foxy spent the entire paragliding trip on the winter tour with his eyes tightly shut, clinging onto the ropes? At least a hot air balloon feels a bit, you know, safer."
Sunset Over a Palace
Our pets have spent the day seeing lots of sights, and are now treated to the sight of the Palace of Westminster silhouetted against the evening sun.

Episode 7/22

@ An Evening Experience
“What have you got in your tote bag, ~pickles~?” asked Shadow. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for rain, be it light drizzle or a torrential downpour, given we're in Britain, Shadow,” responded ~pickles~. “There’s an umbrella, a waxed rain hat, a baseball cap for light showers, a Pac-a-Mac, a plastic jacket, a waterproof poncho, a hi-viz waistcoat—you name it, I’ve got it!”
An Evening Experience
Our pets are hungry and a bit weary, and so they make their way to the famous Coach and Horses Pub. Established in 1744, it boasts being true "pub-keeping" as it serves fine ales and true pub food in a setting that takes you back in time. Truly a great place to unwind for our pets after a busy day!

Episode 8/22

@ In the Tube
“What have you got in your tote bag, ~pickles~?” asked Luckyice. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for rain, be it light drizzle or a torrential downpour, given we're in Britain, Luckyice,” responded ~pickles~. “There’s an umbrella, a waxed rain hat, a baseball cap for light showers, a Pac-a-Mac, a plastic jacket, a waterproof poncho, a hi-viz waistcoat—you name it, I’ve got it!”
In the Tube
The next day our pets are off again on a day of touring London, starting with using "the tube" (Americans call it the subway) to get to their first destination. This "tube" station is located under Baker Street, where the famous Sherlock Holmes resided just above!

Episode 9/22

@ From the Tube to the Tower
"Hey, I bought a cone of soft ice cream from a kiosk earlier and it came out of the machine in stripes of red, white and blue!" said ~pickles~.
"I expect you paid double the price for that patriotic effect," said Eris darkly.
"Oh well, we're on holiday, ~pickles~!"
From the Tube to the Tower
Our pets next make their way to Tower Bridge, the largest and most sophisticated bascule (seesaw) bridge ever completed, built in the late 1800s and opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1894. A walkway stretching between the two towers above the road, not only flies both the Union and England flags, but at one time, had the Olympic rings suspended from it as well!

Episode 10/22

@ Infamous Tower
“What have you got in your tote bag, ~pickles~?” asked Chloe Rose. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for rain, be it light drizzle or a torrential downpour, given we're in Britain, Chloe Rose,” responded ~pickles~. “There’s an umbrella, a waxed rain hat, a baseball cap for light showers, a Pac-a-Mac, a plastic jacket, a waterproof poncho, a hi-viz waistcoat—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Infamous Tower
Our pets next find themselves at the infamous Tower of London, which has served as a fortress, a palace and a prison. It has also been home to the Royal Mint, the Royal Armouries and even a zoo! Its history dates back to the 1070s and William the Conqueror. Here the Crown Jewels are protected, while millions of tourists, including our pet friends, hear of traditions, ghost stories, and terrible tales of torture and execution.

Episode 11/22

@ The Bell Tolls
"Hey, I bought a cone of soft ice cream from a kiosk earlier and it came out of the machine in stripes of red, white and blue!" said ~pickles~.
"I expect you paid double the price for that patriotic effect," said Lady Thea darkly.
"Oh well, we're on holiday, ~pickles~!"
The Bell Tolls
Our pets make their way back towards Big Ben and Westminster Bridge as a storm approach and night falls. It has been a long but enjoyable day!

Episode 12/22

@ Need a Lift?
Baby was studying the itinerary. "What's Norwich most famous for, ~pickles~?" she asked.
"It's actually most famous for its mustard, Baby! Colman's Mustard has been produced there for over 200 years. They grow the mustard seeds there and everything."
"A strange thing to be famous for, ~pickles~!" remarked Baby.
Need a Lift?
Our pets catch a lift with one of London's black cabs, whose drivers go through extensive training, called "doing the knowledge" before they are licensed to drive these "hackney carriages."

Episode 13/22

@ A Different Kind of Subway
"It's grand having a hot air balloon ride and seeing things from above, isn't it, Kalila?" asked ~pickles~. "It gives such a different perspective."
"Oh goodness, do you remember how poor Foxy spent the entire paragliding trip on the winter tour with his eyes tightly shut, clinging onto the ropes? At least a hot air balloon feels a bit, you know, safer."
A Different Kind of Subway
The pets then make their way on foot and find a subway - only it's not the American kind of subway, and we know the London-kind is called a tube. So what is this subway? Like so many unique British terms, this means a pedestrian underpass - one that goes beneath a road!

Episode 14/22

@ A River View
"I've just heard Alastair greet Moriarty with 'Morning, squire!' " said Tassie. "I like it! I shall use it to greet the next pet I meet."
"Remember it can only be used by male pets to greet other male pets, Tassie," advised ~pickles~.
A River View
From walking under the road to catching a bird's eye view of the River Thames with a number of its bridges, our pets have had some amazing experiences today!

Episode 15/22

@ London Rain
"How's it going, me old China?" enquired ~pickles~ on meeting Sam.
"What did you call me, ~pickles~?" asked Sam cautiously.
"It's rhyming slang, Sam! China = China plate = mate!"
London Rain
After a good night's sleep, our pets awaken to another one of London's "sights and sounds" - that of the seemingly ever-present rain! They were able to catch this view on an enclosed double-decker bus!

Episode 16/22

@ Colorful Sight
"Okay, how do we fit in while in London?" asked ~pickles~.
Coral glanced at the itinerary. "When on the Tube, avoid eye contact, don't smile and, unless absolutely essential, don't speak to any other pet. They will assume you are completely mad," she intoned.
~pickles~ looked dismayed. Then realisation dawned. "You just made that up!" she accused.
"Well, I might have embellished what's here just a tad," grinned Coral.
Colorful Sight
As our pets begin to leave the streets of London for its outskirts, they catch sight of a colorful "pet" whom they say looked very friendly - but alas, it was one of a number of pieces of street art they have seen in their three days in London.

Episode 17/22

@ Ancient Stones
"Did you know that Kew Gardens seed bank holds 36,000 wild plant species, Twinkle?" asked ~pickles~. "You can adopt a seed chosen from any continent around the world and get a certificate of adoption."
"That would make a fine present for somepet!" said Twinkle.
Ancient Stones
One's tour of London and its surrounding areas wouldn't be complete without seeing ancient stones that make up very aged castles.This one is Hadleigh Castle, first begun in 1215, and once a favorite residence of the aging King Edward III during its refortification during the 100 Years War. Our pets are delighted to tour this towering piece of history that overlooks the Essex Marshes.

Episode 18/22

@ Sporting About
"Cor, I thought for a moment somepet had half-inched my last Lady Godiva!" declared ~pickles~.
"Done what?" enquired Hubris.
"Pinched my last fiver," translated ~pickles~.
Sporting About
Our pets discover where the Ipswich Football Club practices and plays, where else but in Ipswich! However, their "football" isn't American football, but what the Yanks call "soccer!" Our pets get to have fun kicking back by kicking about this round "football!"

Episode 19/22

@ Enjoying A Bit of Latitude
Poe was studying the itinerary. "What's Norwich most famous for, ~pickles~?" he asked.
"It's actually most famous for its mustard, Poe! Colman's Mustard has been produced there for over 200 years. They grow the mustard seeds there and everything."
"A strange thing to be famous for, ~pickles~!" remarked Poe.
Enjoying A Bit of Latitude
As the day draws to a close, our pets get to enjoy the Latitude Festival in Southwold where more than just music is at the venue. It is a one of kind experience DJs are hidden in the woods and colorful sheep roam the tufty fields. There's opera on the lake, film debuts, clowns, actors, ales, and dance troupes, along with a huge children's area. Our pets had no lack of things to enjoy!

Episode 20/22

@ Spiritual Castles
“Pass me the binoculars, ~pickles~!” said Choose a name. "I think that's a sparrowhawk just taking off over there!"
Spiritual Castles
As the day ends, and our pets' tour of London and its surrounding areas draws to a close, they get to see one more iconic London landmark before settling in for the night: that of the majesty and peacefulness of Norwich Cathedral. It is truly a treat to enjoy as it's the most complete Norman Cathedral in England - one of the nation's finest.

Episode 21/22

@ Wonder of Worship
“Oh hello, ~pickles~!” cried Whisper. “Didn’t we bump into each other on the skating rink last winter?”
"We literally did that!" cried ~pickles~.
Wonder of Worship
Our pets wind down by walking among the rows of pews where worshipers expressed their awe of God and His grace. They can almost here the chants and other expressions of exaltation being lifted to the Almighty.

Episode 22/22

@ Walking in a Vault
As ~pickles~'s tour of "London" comes to an end, she rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
Crimson Dusk Beech Tree
The vivid leaves of this tree reflect the setting of the sun, alluring the neighborhood pets to spend hours playing among the many branches.
Walking in a Vault
The amazing construction of Norwich Cathedral's vaulted ceilings leave our pets impressed at such handiwork that dates back more than 900 years! As the end of the walkway yawns before them, our tired touring pets also find themselves yawning after another wonderful day. They lay their heads down with many images dancing about in their thoughts as sleep comes swiftly and sweetly.
~pickles~ has completed their tour of "London"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of "The British Isles"!