After that rather disappointing start, we travelled to the apartment we would be staying in for the remainder of the week. It was really nice and close to a station. The following day was a special one: Bubba's birthday! The morning was on of great excitment, opening presents and eating a lovely homemade breakfast in our nice, new kitchen. A trip on the tube to Hamleys toystore was an essential and took up the rest of the morning and midday, ( actually we spend 3 hours in the 7 floor toy shop!) Bubba chose a birthday present and we chose stuff!!!
Oxford St was next. Busy, bustling, alive, it was shopaholics dream! We also spend some time in Sportsdirect too! Harrods was next......eek!! Harrods! It was incredible. The bright lights, the perfume scents, the designer labels....I actually thought I had died and gone to heaven, a gorgeous, nice smelling, massive heaven! That night, we went to the West End show, Wicked! It was completely and utterly AMAZING!!! The effects, the lightining, the stage work was out of this world but the singing..........OMG!!!! It is unbelieveble, ever single song giving you goosebumps! A fabulous day and night!
We visited Buckingham Palace and watched the changing of the guard, a unique experience! The weather wasn't very good so we hopped on a tour bus and experienced London from its double decker buses! The London Eye was such a great activity, the view was so outstanding and it was real cool to be in a capsule looking at parliament and Big Ben! A cruise down the muddy river Thames finished off another great day!
West Minister abbey was gorgeuos and beautiful, very elegant and historic. Us children completed a worksheet and then meet a wonderful verger who showed us the New Zealand seat and the Queens offical seat, in which we stood in! He also gave us offical programmes of the Christchurch earthquake ceremony, the Anzac ceremony and THE OFFICAL REHEARSAL PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!!! I know! There are only a few in the world and we have one!!
The london Dungeon was extremely worth it and so frightening!! It was freaky and so informative at the same time. You went through all these different activities that happened in London's dark and dirty history, including the Black Plague, Jack the Ripper, Sweeny Todd, Fire of London and Bloody Mary. There was also a ride at the end where you were dropped, or 'hanged'. It was so bloody awesome, ( there was a fair bit of 'blood' too!) and I would throughly reccommend it! A quick visit to Shakespeare's Globe and a drink in a Taylor & Walker pub the finish our third day.
On day 4, we popped into Girl Guide UK headquarters and Samantha gave some NZ badges to the girls inside. Then off to Kent, to see where Grandad David grew up. We were meet at the station by Uncle Martyn and his daughter Donna, (Dad's cousin). It was pouring unfortunatley but that's England for you! They showed us, from the inside of the car, the beach and house where Grandad, Martyn and their sisters spend their childhood. We also saw the late Aunty Pat's house. Then it was back home for some tea and cakes. Donna's children, Ashleigh and Louis (who are our age), joined us and our two families hit it off straight away! It was great to finally put faces to names. We went very traditional that evening, having fish and chips, while the rain still thundered on. After exchanging facebook names, we caught the train back to London.
Day 5 started with a trip to Camden Market. Again the weather was wet but it was enjoyable nearthertheless. At the market, we were instantly swallowed up the the hundreds of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, shoes and more clothes. That afternoon was spend meeting the last relatives, James, Lisa, Helena, Freddy and Christina. The live in the subarbs of London, near Wimbledon, in a wonderful house. It was a lovely evening playing with the kids while the parents talked followed by a scrummy dinner and dessert! Thanks James and family! :)
Unfortunatley, our time in London was up. Caught a plane from London to Washington on the Sunda.y We all loved itin London and wanted to stay longer. It is an amazing place filled with so many things to explore. Us girls all said we are coming back! :) Bye Bye England and hello USA!!
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