Florida Coalcracker Chronicles: Day 4 of 35 - Lulu's 70th - Ted Lasso in Richmond

Friday, July 12, 2024

Day 4 of 35 - Lulu's 70th - Ted Lasso in Richmond - Eel Pie Island in Twickenham

July 12th - 2024 - Lulu's birthday

It was little cooler today in London - low 60s - but no rain. I just love escorting Lulu in her favorite town on her big day. After a light breakfast in bed - we caught the train to Richmond - about 25 miles away. Lulu loves watching British TV shows - and Ted Lasso is high on her list. It is about an American coach that is imported to run a soccer team - The Richmond Greyhounds. They film some of it in downtown Richmond.

We stopped at a place on the street for lunch. When I went to pay - the owner said they only take cash. I did not have enough - but I had lots of USA money. A local guy came inside and tried to pay for our lunch. The bill was 30 pounds - about $40. I would not consider it - I said I would go to an ATM machine. Then I said I have American dollars. I gave the owner $40 - he came to my table and slipped me a $10 bill. The couple that tried to pay - ended up being from Ireland - they were in town for their oldest son's wedding. We had a great conversation - as I said before - we meet so many nice folks traveling.

Our next stop was Eel Pie Island. It was 1.3 miles away. We walked to Twikenham. There a a museum there - in a community building. We were greeted at the locked door by a lovely lady who insists on giving us a VIP tour.

Eel Pie Island is a small island in the middle of the Thames River. The river is much narrower here than in London. The only way on the island is a foot bridge. In the old days - from 1900 to 1960 - there was a big old resort hotel there. It turned into a destination for jazz music. They added a giant ballroom to the hotel - something like Lakeside or the Lakewood Ballroom. The dance hall had a spring loaded wooden floor - similar to a trampoline. When the place was literally rocking with music and dinners - the building would vibrate.

It started out with jazz music. Next came blues music. After that Skiffle - a cross between folk and blues. This was an oven where rock and roll was baked in London. In the summer of 1964 - The Rolling Stones played every Wednesday - Blues Night. The Who played there. Rod Stewart. Eventually the island became a commune. Soon there were more cops in wigs than kids trying to bust them for drinking and drugs.

Finally in 1968 - the hotel burned to the ground. Some say the cops set it on fire - some say the owner had lightning strike it for the insurance money - and to build exclusive condos. Today they are a few upscale places there with a bohemian air to them. There are boat houses and boat repair businesses there - but still only a foot bridge connecting it to reality. It is a very quiet haven in the middle of the river in the middle of a city.

A bus and two quick trains - and we were back at our hotel by Hyde Park. We rolled into bed for a short nap. Then we got cleaned up to celebrate the birthday girl with dinner at a nice little Italian Restaurant. After supper we took a walk through Hyde Park as the sunset. We could hear one of Lulu's favorite artists playing the park - Stevie Nix.

We planned to take the train tomorrow to Durham for the famous Miners' Gala Parade. It is 450 miles north of here. We were there two times before. but because we did not buy train tickets earlier - they were $250 each - and 3 hours each way. Since we leave London on the Queen Mary 2 on Sunday - we decided to see other things. Being in our 70s now - we have to pace ourselves better. I can really see the difference in Esther Williams legs.