I mentioned earlier that Robert doesn’t give us a schedule of events on his trips so I didn’t know that we would be visiting.one of my all-time favorite hero’s war bunkers.. We had an after hours tour of the war bunker in London that Churchill and his political and military leaders managed and developed strategy during the Second World War.
The Map Room was especially interesting; manned 24 hours a day, collecting information from army, navy and air commands, it served as central war intelligence center for all British military operations. You can see that the telephone was the main source of information. All telephones call were encoded to maintain strict security. Primitive by our standards but cutting edge in WWII.
This map showed all 8th AAF air bases in England. The use of the “red” phone in the first picture was unknown, but speculation places it as a direct link to Churchill.
Churchill personally managed the map and war room operations and had an adjacent private room with office and sleeping arrangements. 
The war room was large enough for all the elected officials who weee involved in managing the war and the three chairs in the center were for army, navy and air commanders. Churchill had them directly in front of him and regularly verbally attacked them to keep up the pressure when, in the early days of the war before we joined, seemed pretty hopeless. 
We are fortunate that Churchill was elected because Chamberlain opted for a capitulation to the Germans which could have changed the course of our history. This was a very good tour experience.
Another first time experience was being served a six course dinner on a bus driving around London. It was very well done and for our group a great party atmosphere with music and visits by the chef. Eating is one of the important aspects of travel, and this was certainly a special “eating”. Cheers, Jim
1: Brioche and Brie
2: Tuna TarTar and Avocado
3: Salmon seared with steamed Leaks
4: Lamb Chops over a Sweet Potato purée
5: Cheese course, light and semi-sweet
6: Panacotta with Mango sauce
And, of course just the right taste of the appropriate aperitifs, wines and digestives.