London: Part 2

Back to London...

First, let me introduce you to our home away from home.
This is Brent X Hotel. It was here where Linda made toast for

Crystal and I every morning to go with our breakfast of

cereal and juice. She was so nice and was a great help.

Here is a picture of our stop during the day.

Day 4: Portobello Road! Portobello Road, street where the

riches of ages are stowed...
After years of watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks I finally got to
experience the magic myself. Though there wasn't people

singing and dancing, there was a guy playing the steel drums.

Smile Crystal!

Yum!

After shopping around at Portobello Road, and buying a few things, we went
to a little musuem in Knotting Hill area. It was about Brands and Packaging and
was very cool. We spent a couple of hours there, but sorry no pictures. As we were
leaving the museum, we asked the girl working at the front desk where her favorite
place to go eat in the area was. She told us Nando's. So, Nando's it was.

It was really delicious.

Later Crystal and I went over to St. Paul's Cathedral to go see the fireworks
for the Lord Mayor celebrations. As we got off the tube stop, we could hear
the fireworks going on and barely see them. As we got closer, the fireworks
stopped. We missed them! Oh well. So we ended up hanging out and
taking a walk along the south enbankement (thanks for the tip Vieve!).

Walking across the Millennium Bridge.

St. Paul's at night.

As we walked, we stopped for while to listen to this guy playing his guitar.

We also stopped and watch these skaters trying to do their olies and whatnot.

Before heading back to the hotel we stopped by Picadilly Circus.

Me modeling my new purchases. I so love England!

Day 5: Rememberance Sunday

So Crystal and I thought we would take part of Rememberance Sunday ceremonies,
also hoping that we might catch a glimpse of the Queen.

Check out the snipers on the rooftop.

Being there was a very neat experience. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, they have a two minute moment of silence for respect of their soldiers who fought in both World Wars. It was a touching experience being in such a large crowd and it being so quiet.

We couldn't really see anything that was going on. However, it was really
funny because this older gentleman started talking with me and telling me all
about his dad and grandfather who had served in the army. I ended up talking
with him for a good 15-20 minutes before Crystal and I decided to leave.

Below is a picture of the war veterans marching along. I had to put my camera

up high to take this picture. I couldn't see it for myself.

Crystal and I ended up walking around Hyde park enjoying the sunny day.
We had some time to kill before going to church at 2:30pm.

If you look hard enough in this picture, you can see the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Even the people on horseback have a crosswalk sign.

Walking along in Hyde Park, we came to a lake where there was a
bunch of geese and pigeons.

Crystal so wanted to feed the birds, but she didn't have anything to give them.
The nice people in the background of this picture shared their bird feed with Crystal and...

...this was the result.

Crystal so happy to have pigeons all over her.

Here is where we went to church.

After church, we decided to go back to our favorite place to eat, The Preston.

Does this dish look familiar? It was so yummy the first time, I had to have it again.

And dessert.

Day 6: HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Monday was our last full day in the UK, so we had to do it up big.
Bright and early we headed off to go see the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

A few quick pictures, a little shopping and we were back on the tube
to head over to Paddington Station.

Why were we going to Paddington station you ask?

So we could get on a train....

...to check out the Queen's weekend residence, of course!
Winsor Castle!!

Here's Crystal as we start our tour.
To the castle indeed.

I could get comfortable here.

No inside pictures were allowed, but let me just say, it was pretty amazing.
If you ever have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

This is where we saw the cool guards that everyone thinks of when they
think of London. Only the guard was wearing his coat because it was cold outside.

After touring the castle, we decided to wander around the little town
surrounding the castle. Check out this fun sign this shop was selling.

Cute little river going through the town.

In the river were lots of swans and ducks. There were also seagulls flying around.

Crystal is always in her element when she is around the birds.
Don't ask me why.

Feeding the birds. Again.

Hello swans! Do you want some croissants?

No more!

What are you looking at swans?
They look like they are ready to gang up on me.

After a fun day out at Windsor, it was time to go back to the city. For dinner we
decided to try a little place that our tourist books suggested.
This is Cafe in the Crypt where had our last meal. Let me just say, it wasn't as
good as I thought it should have been, but the place itself was pretty awesome.


Day 7: The saddest day ever...time to go home.
One last photo-op at our tube stop.

Bye bye London, I will miss you. Until we meet again...
which is hopefully sooner than later.