Today was another lovely day in London. We started our day at Buckingham Palace - hoping to catch the changing of the guard since we struck out last time. We got there an hour and half early and got a prime spot along the fence. We took a lot of great photos of the palace and of the guards out front. We had just settled in and were preparing to wait it out, when a policeman came by and told us everyone had to leave. Today was a state visit and, apparently, heads of state are more important than us. So we had to move along. We were invited to stand behind a barricade and watch as the Queen's car went by, but we decided against it.
^^ Buckingham Palace, Main Entrance
^^ Guard outside the main door
We bought a hot cocoa and proceeded to walk down The Mall (the main road in London that leads to Buckingham Palace) and into Trafalger Square. Along the way, we had to stop for several delivery vans making a delivery to St James' Palace (Prince Charles' home). I don't want to brag...but one of the delivery guys hit on me (Terri). Yep, the cream-de-la-cream...I was hit on by a delivery guy. My dream vacation is complete.
We were almost to Trafalger Square when we were stopped unexpectedly. A police man called out to us "young ladies" (bonus points to Mr. Policeman for calling me "young"!) and asked us to come over to him. Panic ran through my head and I could hear Mike's voice saying "Just don't get arrested...that's all I ask!". I walked right up to him and said "Yes, Sir" confident in the fact that I had done nothing wrong and could survive well in British prison...for thirty or forty seconds, at least. He gave us a stern look and said "Hand over your hot coffee!". LOL! He was cold and wanted our hot chocolate! No luck, Buddy....and we were on our way again...happy to have remained arrest-free!
^^ Guards we saw on the walk.
^^ Entrance arch to the Mall and Buckingham Palace.
Once in Trafalger Square (after giving directions to some poor soul who thought we looked like we knew what we were doing...sucker!) we took the tube to St Paul's Cathedral. We spent a couple hours looking through the church...I just don't have words to describe it. A church has been in that spot since 604 AD and St Paul's has been there since 1100 AD. It is grand, majestic, and so beautiful. Ashley and I both lit candles and said our prayers...it was a wonderful visit. If Ashley says anything about how long it took us to find our way into the church (we walked up on the back side of it and it's a LOOOOONG way around) and claims that I swore and said something like "How the hell do you get in this church"...don't believe her. She lies. She should pray for help to stop lying. =)
^^St. Paul's
After our visit to St Paul's we walked back to the hotel. We don't know for sure how long the walk was, but we're guessing about two miles. It had gotten windy and was kinda cold, but it was great walking down Fleet Street and just taking in the city. Honestly, I was pretty proud of us. No maps, no asking for directions...we just set out and found our way home. Pretty cool for only having been here a few days.
^^Ashley in a phone booth =)
^^Terri in a phone booth =)
^^I can't remember the exact name, but this was Wellington Barracks I think. Yay Soldiers! =)
This evening we had dinner in our hotel's restaurant, The Old Master's Restaurant. Ashley had roasted lamb, potatoes, roasted zucchini and, for dessert, Eaton Mess...a berries & cream dessert. Terri had roast beef, potatoes and, for dessert Bannoffee pie...a layered pudding/caramel/banana dessert. We both loved our food!
Then it was off to our second play...Love Never Dies. This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom of the Opera. Honestly, neither of us loved it. It was just okay...but we enjoyed the experience and we especially enjoyed the ice cream we had at interval (that's the Brit word for "intermission"). And while we're on the subject of the theatre, last night we went to see Wicked. This play was BRILLIANT! Terri generally doesn't like musical theatre and loved this play! Ashley loved it so much she wants to get the sound track. It's the story of Glinda the Good Which and the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz...sort of like the "story behind the story". It was terrific and we would recommend it highly!
^^Marquee for Lover Never Dies
^^Marquee for Wicked. =)
Tomorrow we're off to Hampton Court Palace! =)
^^ Buckingham Palace, Main Entrance
^^ Guard outside the main door
We bought a hot cocoa and proceeded to walk down The Mall (the main road in London that leads to Buckingham Palace) and into Trafalger Square. Along the way, we had to stop for several delivery vans making a delivery to St James' Palace (Prince Charles' home). I don't want to brag...but one of the delivery guys hit on me (Terri). Yep, the cream-de-la-cream...I was hit on by a delivery guy. My dream vacation is complete.
We were almost to Trafalger Square when we were stopped unexpectedly. A police man called out to us "young ladies" (bonus points to Mr. Policeman for calling me "young"!) and asked us to come over to him. Panic ran through my head and I could hear Mike's voice saying "Just don't get arrested...that's all I ask!". I walked right up to him and said "Yes, Sir" confident in the fact that I had done nothing wrong and could survive well in British prison...for thirty or forty seconds, at least. He gave us a stern look and said "Hand over your hot coffee!". LOL! He was cold and wanted our hot chocolate! No luck, Buddy....and we were on our way again...happy to have remained arrest-free!
^^ Guards we saw on the walk.
^^ Entrance arch to the Mall and Buckingham Palace.
Once in Trafalger Square (after giving directions to some poor soul who thought we looked like we knew what we were doing...sucker!) we took the tube to St Paul's Cathedral. We spent a couple hours looking through the church...I just don't have words to describe it. A church has been in that spot since 604 AD and St Paul's has been there since 1100 AD. It is grand, majestic, and so beautiful. Ashley and I both lit candles and said our prayers...it was a wonderful visit. If Ashley says anything about how long it took us to find our way into the church (we walked up on the back side of it and it's a LOOOOONG way around) and claims that I swore and said something like "How the hell do you get in this church"...don't believe her. She lies. She should pray for help to stop lying. =)
^^St. Paul's
After our visit to St Paul's we walked back to the hotel. We don't know for sure how long the walk was, but we're guessing about two miles. It had gotten windy and was kinda cold, but it was great walking down Fleet Street and just taking in the city. Honestly, I was pretty proud of us. No maps, no asking for directions...we just set out and found our way home. Pretty cool for only having been here a few days.
^^Ashley in a phone booth =)
^^Terri in a phone booth =)
^^I can't remember the exact name, but this was Wellington Barracks I think. Yay Soldiers! =)
This evening we had dinner in our hotel's restaurant, The Old Master's Restaurant. Ashley had roasted lamb, potatoes, roasted zucchini and, for dessert, Eaton Mess...a berries & cream dessert. Terri had roast beef, potatoes and, for dessert Bannoffee pie...a layered pudding/caramel/banana dessert. We both loved our food!
Then it was off to our second play...Love Never Dies. This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom of the Opera. Honestly, neither of us loved it. It was just okay...but we enjoyed the experience and we especially enjoyed the ice cream we had at interval (that's the Brit word for "intermission"). And while we're on the subject of the theatre, last night we went to see Wicked. This play was BRILLIANT! Terri generally doesn't like musical theatre and loved this play! Ashley loved it so much she wants to get the sound track. It's the story of Glinda the Good Which and the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz...sort of like the "story behind the story". It was terrific and we would recommend it highly!
^^Marquee for Lover Never Dies
^^Marquee for Wicked. =)
Tomorrow we're off to Hampton Court Palace! =)
