1. It has been 2 months since we visited and I have yet to complete the remaining 4 days of my trip via the blog.
2. I am scrapbooking it anyways, so I'll have the details for myself in my scrapbook to remember.
3. I have 2 other events to get scrapbooked - Vic's 30th Bday and MLK Day Weekend with friends.
4. I have BABY news to get posted...
So, here we go:
Day 3: Thursday, 12/30/10
We went to St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Trafalgar Square where we went to the National Portrait Gallery. St. Paul's was also beautiful and while no pictures were allowed inside, this was Vic's favorite stop during our London trip. It was much more elaborate and fancy than Westminster Abbey. The Tower of London was practically a day trip, or you could make it one. It was huge and included us seeing the Crown Jewels and lots of authentic armor from people like Henry the VIII and the Medieval Palace. On this particular day, the weather was really drizzly and misty - not clear at all. We got a bite to eat and then by that evening, after heading to Trafalgar Square to see not only the Square, but the National Portrait Gallery, we headed home. First of all, the National Portrait Gallery was more than I expected. It has portraits of the entire Royal family from a long time ago to now. It also had portraits of famous people and family members of the Royal Family. It was really more interesting than I expected and we all enjoyed it! By the end of the day, however, I was exhausted, but also sick. I just came down with a cold and didn't feel well. Charley found me some medicine and instructions from a pharmacist and by the time we got back about 9 or so that night, I was ready for bed to start feeling better!
Sarah & Vic in front of St. Paul's Cathedral
Charley & Vic in front of Tower of London
Tower of London
A fun spot in the concrete that looked like a "gig'em"Day 4: Friday, 12/31/11On this day, I actually stayed home in the hotel. Sounds sort of silly, right? But, I felt terrible and really thought if I could just sleep for a few hours and not get out in the cold, then maybe I could feel better so I didn't have to be miserable for the rest of the trip. It actually worked out great. I doped up on medicine and slept and by that evening, felt much better. This was our day that we originally planned to go to Nottingham to see Charley's town and school, but after learning how much tickets would be on the train, realized we would probably just miss it that time. So, we will just rely on Charley's pictures and stories since we didn't get to see the town. While I stayed in bed, Charley and Vic headed to Wimbledon to tour the Tennis Courts and history of Wimbledon's big tournament. Vic is a big tennis fan, so he had a great time! Later that afternoon after they came back and napped, we headed to a fun Italian restaurant for dinner, grabbed some champagne for the boys for the hotel room and spent the evening in the hotel to ring in the new year. Again, we originally thought it would be so fun to go down to celebrate in the city but after being tired and sick and then learning that people had stood all day long just to get in the area of where the big fireworks show was held in London for the New Year, we were glad to ring it in while in our nice hotel room!
The tennis courts getting "fake sun"
Vic at Wimbledon
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!
Day 5: Saturday, 1/1/11Saturday was spent shopping! We headed to Portobello Market on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. We ate at Charlie's Cafe and Vic and Charley ate Full English Breakfasts while I stuck to my morning hot chocolate and muffin (safe on the stomach during this pregnancy!). Portobello Market was really neat - lots of antiques and shopping and tons of people! I found a small antique item for mom and a London onesie for the baby! We also headed to see and shop in Harrod's - the ritzy mall in London owned by Dodi Fayed's (Princess Diana's boyfriend who was killed with her in the big crash) family. I thought it would be so fun to just buy one small thing from that store and just knew they would have New Years Day sales. Well, they definitely had sales, but there were also 1 million people there. We made a pretty quick entry and exit, after looking at some expensive dresses (12,000 pounds) and some other expensive brands. But, it was still a fun day of shopping!
Portobello Road in Notting Hill
Portobello Road in Notting Hill
Day 6: Sunday, 1/2/11
On Sunday, our last day, we made it to Buckingham Palace for an outside view then split from Charley so he could go to one thing while Vic and I went to Kensington Palace and then to see an old movie in another part of town. First of all, Buckingham was so cool - regardless of what anyone says. I know it is just a palace and you cannot go inside except in August I think? but it was still really neat. Kensington Palace, however, was not that exciting. It is being renovated (the museum part) right now, so it was setup mainly for children, but we did not know that when we bought our tickets. Kensington is typically where princesses (like Princess Diana) live so it has some good history about princesses from long ago, but was still geared for children. So that was probably our least favorite thing to do in London. That afternoon, Vic and I headed down to the National Film Theater where they show only old movies. We had a quick bite and then watched "The Big Sleep" with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. It was great! One more fun Italian dinner (we ate lots of italian food when we were in London, other than pubs) and we were headed back for our last night in London.
On our way to Buckingham Palace, we passed these horses and riders...not sure what they were doing, but obviously something for the queen!!
In front of the palace! P.S. The queen was in (per the flag on top of the palace)!
My adorable husband having a snack before our date night with movie and dinner!
On Sunday, our last day, we made it to Buckingham Palace for an outside view then split from Charley so he could go to one thing while Vic and I went to Kensington Palace and then to see an old movie in another part of town. First of all, Buckingham was so cool - regardless of what anyone says. I know it is just a palace and you cannot go inside except in August I think? but it was still really neat. Kensington Palace, however, was not that exciting. It is being renovated (the museum part) right now, so it was setup mainly for children, but we did not know that when we bought our tickets. Kensington is typically where princesses (like Princess Diana) live so it has some good history about princesses from long ago, but was still geared for children. So that was probably our least favorite thing to do in London. That afternoon, Vic and I headed down to the National Film Theater where they show only old movies. We had a quick bite and then watched "The Big Sleep" with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. It was great! One more fun Italian dinner (we ate lots of italian food when we were in London, other than pubs) and we were headed back for our last night in London.
On our way to Buckingham Palace, we passed these horses and riders...not sure what they were doing, but obviously something for the queen!!
In front of the palace! P.S. The queen was in (per the flag on top of the palace)!
My adorable husband having a snack before our date night with movie and dinner!
Overall, our trip was great and we were sad to leave. We probably could have spent a couple more days there to do a few things we didn't get to see...but that just means we will have to go back! So, what do you think of my hat below? Isn't it cute? It was always too cold to wear it during the week because it didn't cover my ears, but I wore it on the way home! I love it!
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