Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Visiting friends in London

September 18-22, 2014 - Gabby and I traveled to London to visit her best friend from SIS, Annabel, who moved to London at the end of 7th grade.  Lucky for me Annabel's mom, Jayne, is a good friend of mine.


What struck me immediately is how much bigger London is than Stockholm.  The entire population of Sweden can fit into the greater London area.  Everything is more intense - the crowds, the neighborhoods, the traffic!  We had a great overview of London and plan to return for more.

Friday - Gabby and I explored Trafalgar Square, found breakfast at Pret-a-Manger, walked over to Buckingham Palace, Picadilly and Regent St. (Hollister!) where we met up with Jayne.  The three of us continued to Carnaby St. and lunch on Great Castle St.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Buckingham Palace
 
 
 
Buckingham Palace
 
 
 
love this Tube ad
Pimm's!
Saturday - Most of the day was spent immersed in Harrods... the food hall, Shoe Heaven and lunch.  A successful mission to find Krispy Kreme donuts ($8.95/dozen) followed by a tour of Covent Garden market/entertainers and Annabel's birthday dinner at Jamie's Italian.

Jayne ordered a special Saturday treat for the kids
Annabel and Jayne on the way to Harrod's
Harrod's beautiful decor
the amazing Harrod's food hall
lunch at Harrod's
the Egyptian stairway... or stairway to Shoe Heaven
Manolo Blahniks
 
 
the girls hanging out in Shoe Heaven
 
Covent Garden
birthday dinner at Jamie's Italian

Sunday - We explored Greenwich, walking around the Maritime Museum and Royal Naval Academy and the Market.  We hopped a boat, seeing the Tower and London Bridges, on the way to the London Eye.

Greenwich - Maritime Museum
 
Gabby and Annabel
Royal Naval Academy
 
 
 
 
Tower Bridge
 
Big Ben
London Eye
 
parliament and Big Ben
 

Monday - Gabby and I loaded up on English goodies (Hobnobs, etc.) and had lunch with Jayne at Queen's Head Pub for traditional fish and chips. We picked Annabel and her brother, Simon, up from school and headed to the airport. 

Can't wait for our next visit!! 

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