Thanksgiving 2023

Thanksgiving is always such a special time, but this year was wonderfully special. We celebrated at a pub in Rotherhithe very close to the site from which the original British pilgrims left. (they actually left, found that the boat needed repairs, came back and left again from Plymouth, England). What is the name of the pub, you ask? The MAYFLOWER

We started the day with ridiculous donuts because it was Thanksgiving.

We took a tour with Robert from London Walks about Isambard Kingdom Brunel – God, I love saying it – what a name. He designed that beautiful Tower Bridge we saw last night, plus many others, but his most important achievements were his tunnels and steamships.

The first tunnel under water was his, and it was a pedestrian tunnel, originally, then became the first subway tunnel under water. This revolutionized the city. He also invented and built the largest steamship of its time and laid the telephone cable connecting the new world with the old world. Just a genius.

We started on boat, walked a bit, took the underground and the overground and ended up in Rotherhithe and in the church that dated back to our pilgrims.

The pub was just behind the church and has been there (in some iteration) since 1596.

As usual, we included a few friends in the festivities – Paul’s roommate, TJ and Nicholas Furnald joined the fun. The pub had a great vibe and great food.

We ate and drank and didn’t even feel bad for the staff because they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving!

We’re pros at the Tube, so we made it home without incident and hung around, and took a walk, and did a puzzle and found American Football on the Telly. Exactly what the day should be like.