London Lookback

I've struggled how to post about London because there is so much to say.  We saw absolutely everything we had on our wish list and then some.  I was a tad worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations, but in reality, it far exceeded them.  The only negative aspect was the weather - cold and rainy every day.  I will never complain about an early Spring here in Colorado again!  We stayed on Bayswater Rd in Kensington which ended up being a perfect location for us.  We had a great mix of tourist sites and our typical vacation treks to off the beaten path locales.  I drank as many Pimms as possible (and may have made a stop at duty-free.)  The only thing we didn't see were The Royals, or Adele, or Chris Martin, but that just means we'll have to go back.  And go back we will!  Now, if we can only win the lottery to afford a sweet little flat in Notting Hill....

I am quite the nerd and keep track of our days when on fun vacations.  However, it often comes in handy when others ask for recommendation.  So here goes:

Tuesday – FLY (arrived at Heathrow around 12:30 pm local time)

The queue at Heathrow Terminal 5 was awful - took at least 2 hours.  I can on imagine the chaos during the Olympics.

Walked around Kensington Gardens

Dinner:  Mall Tavern (Near hotel) – Favorite Dinner

Wednesday

Wimbledon Tour – K’s Favorite

Lunch:  Old Garage (Near Wimbledon in Southfields) – Highly recommend; modern and comfortable

Kensington Palace Tour – disappointing

Shopping at Covent Garden/along Long Acre

Dinner:  Osteria del Opera (near theaters)

Drinks:  Iron Horse (near hotel)

Thursday

Westminster Abbey tour – K&B favorite

Walk around Borough Market (lunch)

National Portrait Gallery

Dinner:  Pret-A-Manger

We Will Rock You – Queen musical

Drinks:  All Bar One (near theater)

Friday

London Eye

Lunch:  Pret-A-Manger

Shopping on Regent/Jermyn/Piccadilly

Churchill War Rooms

Drinks:  Iron Horse

Dinner (w/ cousin):  The Champion on Bayswater

Drinks (w/ cousin):  Iron Horse

Saturday

Trip to Windsor (train from Paddington via Slough)

Lunch:  Sandwiches in Windsor

Windsor Castle Tour – K&B favorite

Shopping in Windsor

Dinner:  Kensington Wine Bar

“A Million Pound Drop” – TV show

Sunday

Walk around Notting Hill/Portobello Market

Brunch:  Duke of Wellington

Shopping at Selfridges/Oxford St./Regent St.

Abbey Road

Dinner:  Pan Quintine

Monday

Buckingham Palace/Victoria Statue/NBC Broadcast Van

Walk up the Mall

Trafalgar Square/Olympic Countdown/Admiral Nelson Statue

Lunch:  Windsor Castle Pub

Walk through Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park to

Shopping at Harrod’s

Dinner:  Pret-A-Manger

King’s Speech - play

Tuesday

Tower of London

Lunch:  Café Rouge (At St. Katherine’s Docks)

Tower Bridge

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Coffee at Costa

Walk to Holborn Station

Dinner:  The Ark

Drinks:  Churchill Arms and Mall Tavern

And as for pictures...

Arriving at Paddington Station

Kensington Palace

 

 Street light close up

Token telephone shot

Street in the Kensington neighborhood

My dream come true - Centre Court at Wimbledon  (albeit soaked like a drowned rat!)

 Westminster Abbey

Borough Market

Big Ben in the sunlight

London Eye

Parliament from the Eye

Parliament

Randomly walked into oncoming guards coming back from the ceremony

The Mall - love the Union Jacks

Windsor Castle

Buckingham Palace

Architecture in Trafalgar Square - sort of what I always pictured in my mind...

TheHubs near the Tower of London

View of the Tower Bridge from the Tower of London

Tower of London

TheHubs demonstrating how the knights protected the Tower

Guarding the Crown Jewels

St. Paul's Cathedral

Me in front of Buckingham Palace

Hyde Park

Old School Double Decker (with my coffee in the reflection)

We met up with my cousin who is studying in Spain but was in London for the weekend!  

Street in Notting Hill

Abbey Road

We also celebrated our 3rd anniversary while on the plane home.  Being in my favorite place in the world with my favorite person in the world was truly a dream come true.  I am one lucky girl!

-K