Hello once again. We continue our travels through London.
On Monday, after a tasty early breakfast, we went to the local "Big Bus Sightseeing tours" stand to by a ticket on the hop on, hop off sightseeing bus. This pass is good all day and you can get off the bus whenever, and get back on when you are ready to continue on. We got an early start because we wanted to be in Trafalgar Square in time to grab a tour to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. After the bus took us past Hyde Park, the American Embassy, the high class shopping district, and the Texas Embassy, we arrived at Trafalgar Square. I took pictures of the boys on the gigantic lion statues at the base of the statue of Lord Nelson. Then we joined up with our walking tour. Our first stop was St James's palace to wait for the review of the guards. However, when we arrived, we were informed that the ceremony would be delayed by up to an hour. So, we all got our picture taken with the guard in front of the gates. The stories are true. The guy just stands there and doesn't react to anything.
After a wait of about an hour, the regiment decided to move out even though they couldn't find the band to play them down the street. Apparently, that was the delay. So we got to watch the guard march out of the gates, stand at attention while they were being inspected, and then move out. We marched alongside them down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. Since they didn't have a band, our tour hummed "Bridge over the River Quay." They went into the palace. Then, because we were with a guide, we learned that the new guard was marching down the mall with a mass band and horse regiment. We had excellent spots to watch the parade. They were practicing for the festivities the following day. The Queen would travel down the Mall from Buckingham Palace to Parliament to open this session of parliament. We got to see the dress rehearsal.
After a quick lunch, we headed off to The British museum. We all got the kids audiotour. This is a headset and map the you take around the museum to find certain displays that are explained for kids. We stopped first at THE Rosetta stone. Andrew was very impressed with this. Then we were off to find the kids displays. It is kind of like a scavenger hunt. The highlights of the tour were seeing the very first plate in England (2000 years old), some well preserved mummified bodies, and the chess set that was used as a model for the giant wizards chess set in Harry Potter. As we were searching for the exit (it is a really big museum), we happened upon a lady that had a display of coins. We held coins that were 2500 years old. Wow!
We joined up with our bus tour after the museum. There was only one problem. While we were in the museum, it started to rain. Can you believe it? In England? We had had nothing but sun until now - we even got sun burned. But there wasn't a whole lot to see from the bus. We decided to call it a day (Michael had fallen asleep on the bus anyway) and headed back to the hotel. We found a restaurant near the hotel and I had a real Cornish pastie for dinner. They taste as good as in Mackinaw City. Then it was off to bed.
Tuesday morning we jumped on a train and headed to Windsor. You would think we were headed to the castle, right? Nope. We were looking for LEGOland. This was a really fun day for the kids. There are LEGO creations everywhere in the park, including LEGOworld, mini cities from all over the world. We even saw the Space shuttle take off!! I think a sign said that they used 20 million LEGOS in the park. There were also many rides. Most were fairly tame (the park is geared towards kids under 12, but we went on two roller coasters. They were the first coasters for both kids. The first one was mostly up and down. Michael wanted to go again. Andrew hated it. The second one we did was very curvy. Andrew liked this one and Michael was very upset. Strange kids.
The park was not very crowded (we went on quite a few rides twice - no wait), and much bigger than we thought it would be, so it took us most of the day. By the time we got to Windsor castle it was closed. We walked around the outside though, and even think we saw the butler leave for the day (maybe a tour guide).
We took the train back to London and picked up some chicken to eat in the room. I don't think I have said anything about our hotel. It is in Belgravia, down the street from Buckingham palace. This is a really neat part of London. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Margaret Thatcher live here. We really like the hotel. It is conveniently located, and a bed and breakfast, very small and friendly. We are the only family staying here, though. The staff knows who we are without asking, the American family. Anyway, we had this cute but rather small set of rooms in the converted basement. Sounds kind of dark and gloomy but it wasn't. We had a shared courtyard entry way and our own courtyard out the side. Even though Michael was on a cot on the floor, it was really a cute room. There was only one problem. Starting on Monday morning at about 7:00, there was a drip through the ceiling in the boys room from the shower of the room above. It woke the boys up earlier than we would have liked. We had mentioned it to two different people in the mornings, but when we asked about it to the night manager, he moved us to a new room. We are now on the top floor, the fourth. It is still a two room suite, but now the boys are in what would be the attic. They have a large room with two beds. We have moved to a king from a full. And we have a balcony that looks out onto the rooftops of London. Every time I stand out there at night I start singing from Mary Poppins. "On the rooftops of London..... Whew, what a sight." We are very happy.
Until the next edition!!
Amy
No comments:
Post a Comment