I am in London right now.

[MoonRiver]

Woke up yesterday to the horror of the Manchester massacre. The whole U.K. Is on the highest terror threat level, critical. Husband is here on business so we haven't been out and about much. Just dinners with friends and colleagues. Our plan is to start doing tourist things tomorrow. Have heard many anti-terror forces will be dispatched across the country.

Feeling a little nervous. 😟

[shenmue]

1. Hug

[MoonRiver]

2. Thanks shenmue

I'm sure everything will be fine, still...

[Rhiannon12866]

3. We heard on the news here that the British people are rattled to see armed law enforcement

Since British police are normally unarmed. Stay safe and enjoy your trip!

[MoonRiver]

5. Thanks Rhiannon

I haven't seen any yet but probably will when I go out later. This is normally such a calm, friendly place that it is very unnerving,

[Rhiannon12866]

12. It's been a long time since I was there, but I know what you mean

Even in London, people were relaxed and friendly, even the cops on the streets. The first time I was there, I was a teenager and my friend and I had our pic taken with a smiling British bobby wearing the traditional hat. Things are understandably tense right now, but the increased security should make you feel better. I hope you're able to enjoy yourself since it is a great place to visit, so much to see and do!

[cwydro]

4. You'll be just fine.

My dad grew up in London. My family visited there often. We were there during the IRA terrorism times. Except for myself and my sister, my entire family lives in the British Isles.

London is a wonderful city, and the British are not an easily cowed people. Enjoy your stay and have a Guinness for me.

[MoonRiver]

8. I'll do that!

😋 Thanks for the positive thoughts!

[Scarsdale]

18. Visited

right after the terror attacks in 2005. Armed police everywhere, especially railroad stations. I told my three adult children who were with me, that the alert is on high right now so it is safer than ever. I grew up in Liverpool, about 40 miles from Manchester. So very sad about that cowardly attack.

[MoonRiver]

25. Never have been to Liverpool.

I always think about it in connection with the Beetles!

[Scarsdale]

28. Great place

Lots to see and do there. Ask a cab driver to take you for the day, and see the surrounding area, too.

[MoonRiver]

29. Is it far from London?

[Scarsdale]

39. 200 miles NW.

Train service to Liverpool is fast, and not expensive. There is also bus service, to see the countryside on the way. Ferry rides across the Mersey, Maritime Museum, Speke Hall, where slaves once were smuggled to the river and freedom. Beatles Museum, and of course Beatles Tour. Go to the Cavern where the "boys" started their careers.

[Myrddin]

40. Go to Euston Rail Station...

...jump on a train, you'll be in Manchester, or Liverpool, 2 hours later. Do both of them, they are only 30 miles apart.

You will experience a 'buzz' that London cannot offer. Embrace the Mancs and the Scousers, they will show you their amazing cities.

I don't know your age group MoonRiver, but if you have any admiration for Brit music from the 50's to the present day, if you compile a list of your 20 fave bands I can nearly guarantee 12+ will be from those two cities.

Neither are London, they both have their own individual flair. Go. Enjoy!

[luvMIdog]

6. I hope the rest of your trip is pleasant and worry free

[MoonRiver]

9. Thank you

[Cha]

7. Be safe, MoonRiver

So sad for everyone.

[MoonRiver]

10. Thanks Cha

It is just so tragic. The face of that little 8 year old child is especially heart wrenching. 😢

[Cha]

11. ..

[unc70]

13. Also in London, but heading to Belgium

Have been in England a week plus. Lots more "machine gun" style arms around Westminister and such yesterday. Still pretty low key versus back during the IRA bombings. I was here for the 1993 City bombing, Warrenton for the big one there.

Enjoy your stay. The weather is lovely.

[MoonRiver]

14. The weather is fantastic. Grateful for that.

Safe travels unc70!

[CarrollDavis]

15. Wow! Cool!

Wow! Cool!

[Botany]

16. If you can go to Manchester and lay some flowers

n/t

BTW England in May? Go to Kew Gardens!

[MoonRiver]

20. I will look into that.

We're sightseeing with another couple so will have to check with them first. But thanks for the tip!

[Botany]

30. I would also suggest

The British Museum, Churchill's WW II Office, and the British Museum of Natural History

[imanamerican63]

17. Be safe!

But don't let it hamper the sites and sounds of a wonderful place

[MoonRiver]

21. I won't!

This weather is just too wonderful to keep me inside! One thing is though that some tourist attractions are closing for security. Hope that is over tomorrow

[Not Ruth]

19. Just by visiting, you are showing solidarity with the victims

Very interested in how the safeguards are being implemented in the tourist vs business vs diverse residential communities.

[MoonRiver]

22. We are in the business section.

There are no police or armed military here. Will find out about the tourist areas tomorrow.

[JCMach1]

23. Was there the week after 2005 Tube attacks

Weirdly never a better time to be a tourist. No lines!!! Plus super good security.

[genxlib]

24. I envy you

London is my favorite place in the whole world. Something about the City energizes me like no other place in the world. I could totally live there if I could swing a salary to afford it.

I went to school there for a year in the mid 80's. It was a pretty tense time for terrorism in Europe then too. Perhaps we were too young to know better but we managed to survive.

My advice to you is live your best life. Go do what you want to do. Life is too short to hide from assholes.

[riversedge]

26. Be safe but have some also.

[Lotusflower70]

27. Celebrate life

Last edited Wed May 24, 2017, 10:04 AM - Edit history (1)

Embrace the moment. I was in Paris during the attack and decided I needed to do something to honor those that were lost or survived. So find a way to pay tribute and that could very well be enjoying the whole tourist thing. Savor and appreciate the blessings. Stay safe.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

34. +1. Celebrate life. Be no more or less vigilant than you ordinarily would. Seize the day. Carpe diem

[suffragette]

31. I wish you well on your visit. If you have time, consider visiting the Courtauld museum.

It's a calm oasis with a wonderful collection.

http://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery

[Bernardo de La Paz]

32. You are more likely to be injured in a car accident going to the airport than in a terror incident.

In London, Manchester, Paris, New York, or Peoria.

On any given day, no matter how soon or late after an incident somewhere.

[GoneOffShore]

35. Indeed. Too many forget this.

And not leaving one's home doesn't keep one safe - stairs to fall down, rugs to slip on, electrical faults, etc.

[HipChick]

36. Agree....My brother was in Manchester yesterday

Folks forget that IRA campaign went on for decades ...this is not new for the UK like it is for US

[malaise]

33. Try and enjoy yourself

Go to a cricket match

[WinkyDink]

37. A spectacular place in London: The Silver Vaults, hard by Fleet St. and Dr. Samuel Johnson's

house and St. Paul's (go to the crypt for Wren's tomb).

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186338-d2356480-Reviews-The_London_Silver_Vaults-London_England.html

Holds not only incredible pieces of silversmith craft, but a Magna Carta, a letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Essex, a letter from George III to "my great friend" George Washington, etc.!!

Don't miss the Tower and Crown jewels!
Shop at Harrod's and on Diana's favorite street nearby, Beauchamp Place (and see the Mews area)!
Visit the fancy shops off Piccadilly on Regent St!
Take a "Jack the Ripper" night tour (meet at the Tower Tube)!
Cross over to Southwark!
Have a drink at The George!
Do not miss the TWO Guard changings: FIRST the Queen's Horse Life Guards, in Whitehall** at the far end of St. James's Park (these horses are spectacular!); then hustle afterwards through the Park to Buckingham Palace to see the "regular" Changing of the Guard!
Walk up to Covent Garden for lunch after visiting Piccadilly Circus!

And you must, above all, see everything inside Westminster Abbey. From Poets' Corner (Chaucer's tomb, as well as Dickens, etc. Not Shakespeare.) to the ornate Henry VII Chapel to the marble tombs of EI and Mary, queen of Scots, to the Stone of Scone---all simply amazing. To me, this is the pinnacle of Western Civilization.

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us

** Take a tour underneath to visit Churchill's war-time bunker and command center.

Must day-trips: Windsor (town, castle, AND Eton School); Hampton Court.

If time: Bath-Stonehenge-Salisbury. Oxford-Warwick Castle-Stratford (awesome extra = Blenheim Palace tour, Churchill's family home). Canterbury-Cambridge.

[secondwind]

38. Yes, London people are not easily cowed... I remember riding Amtrak train and my seat-mate was a

British woman.. This was after 9/11, she told me that Americans are too afraid of everything...

"We had a 9/11 every night for 4 years." That woke me up a bit.