Amy, Eliza and I just experienced pure springtime heaven in lovely London. The thing that
made this trip so wonderful for me were the delightful people who we met and offered us
kindness the whole trip.
Our trip started a day early because flights started looking scarce from Minneapolis. We flew to Salt Lake City and enjoyed dinner at Amy’s favorite cafe Ruth’s diner (best beet salad of my life) in Emigration Canyon then a fun shopping trip at my favorite Rack. Amy and I both got new Birkenstock boots :)
On Tuesday we headed to the airport to try our luck. Between Amy’s amazing airline booking skills, the kindness of Brett the reservation angel, and a full out sprint down the terminal, we made it to Detroit! Eliza’s seat partner was a cute girl that worked as a consultant for a company that provided her passes to the Delta sky club lounge. She invited us to join her, where we enjoyed a free lunch and comfortable place to wait out our layover. We really enjoyed hearing
Tamizen story and she was very encouraging to Eliza about BYU-I. At 4:00 we were boarded into first class( Amy again) and were on our way to London. Eliza didn’t quite embrace first class, because she was nervous. I kicked off my shoes, ate every morsel of food they served and relished the posh life.
We arrived in London at 7:00 in the morning. After figuring out our Oyster cards, we boarded the tube to central London. Our goal was to hit as many tourist spots as we could. We saw the Eye, Big Ben shrouded in construction, st Anne’s Cathedral, walked along the Thames, saw Buckingham Palace, visited Westminster Abby, Parliment, and even saw a parade! We had lunch at the National Gallery art museum, where our jet lag really kicked in. Finally we trudged to our flat and after a little difficulty, crowned Eliza the key holder. It was about a ten minute process to get through the front door, up 4 sets of stairs, unlock 3 locks in the correct direction and order and finally up the last set of stairs. We kept each other awake by going for a walk to Kensington gardens where we thought we could find The Albert and Victoria museum. Sadly, on our way, my purse was stolen, snipped right off of me. We ran back to the place we last remember it being on, but to no avail. It was a bit discouraging, until we realized the blessings. The passports were home safe in the suitcase, as well as with the extra cash. Tony was able to quickly cancel the credit cards and lock the phone and the keys to the flat were in my pocket. There was nothing left to do, but be grateful and carry on. Had we been a little more rested, dinner might have been unparalleled. Instead it was delicious risotto and pizza. Tony was contacted that someone had found my phone, but warned us not to meet anyone, as it may have been a scam. They even contacted Amy Shepherd. We asked them to meet at the public library to give us the phone and every one there was so kind and helpful. That night we slept a solid 11 hours and woke up refreshed and ready for more of London.
We began with meeting a health and safety inspector on the tube that personally delivered us to the London Tower where the Queens jewels are held, and gave us a little history of the Beefeaters, the Boleyn sisters and crazy Henry the VIII. We were offered a sugar puff from the bakery and knew we were going to have a good day. Sure enough, at a little pharmacy people helped us map our route and were so generous. We bought digestive biscuits and walked over the iconic Tower Bridge to find the museum of fashion. It was a quaint museum in the Borough district where we learned a bit about early designers and then stepped across the street to the charming B streetcafe. Why is it that cities in Europe have fresher, tastier food? My salad trio was the best I’ve ever had and Amy warmed up with a chili and cheese smothered potato. It was surely time for the double decker bus! Now we could see London in style. We rode through London city proper, over London bridge and hopped off in London’s East End at St Paul’s Cathedral where we saw all the famous second hand shopping. We had a treat at the Cereal Killer Cafe, a place of retro cereals and cereal milk treats. The weather was so beautiful we decided to find the floating book store, called Words on the Water. Eliza bought a few
Our trip started a day early because flights started looking scarce from Minneapolis. We flew to Salt Lake City and enjoyed dinner at Amy’s favorite cafe Ruth’s diner (best beet salad of my life) in Emigration Canyon then a fun shopping trip at my favorite Rack. Amy and I both got new Birkenstock boots :)
On Tuesday we headed to the airport to try our luck. Between Amy’s amazing airline booking skills, the kindness of Brett the reservation angel, and a full out sprint down the terminal, we made it to Detroit! Eliza’s seat partner was a cute girl that worked as a consultant for a company that provided her passes to the Delta sky club lounge. She invited us to join her, where we enjoyed a free lunch and comfortable place to wait out our layover. We really enjoyed hearing
Tamizen story and she was very encouraging to Eliza about BYU-I. At 4:00 we were boarded into first class( Amy again) and were on our way to London. Eliza didn’t quite embrace first class, because she was nervous. I kicked off my shoes, ate every morsel of food they served and relished the posh life.
We arrived in London at 7:00 in the morning. After figuring out our Oyster cards, we boarded the tube to central London. Our goal was to hit as many tourist spots as we could. We saw the Eye, Big Ben shrouded in construction, st Anne’s Cathedral, walked along the Thames, saw Buckingham Palace, visited Westminster Abby, Parliment, and even saw a parade! We had lunch at the National Gallery art museum, where our jet lag really kicked in. Finally we trudged to our flat and after a little difficulty, crowned Eliza the key holder. It was about a ten minute process to get through the front door, up 4 sets of stairs, unlock 3 locks in the correct direction and order and finally up the last set of stairs. We kept each other awake by going for a walk to Kensington gardens where we thought we could find The Albert and Victoria museum. Sadly, on our way, my purse was stolen, snipped right off of me. We ran back to the place we last remember it being on, but to no avail. It was a bit discouraging, until we realized the blessings. The passports were home safe in the suitcase, as well as with the extra cash. Tony was able to quickly cancel the credit cards and lock the phone and the keys to the flat were in my pocket. There was nothing left to do, but be grateful and carry on. Had we been a little more rested, dinner might have been unparalleled. Instead it was delicious risotto and pizza. Tony was contacted that someone had found my phone, but warned us not to meet anyone, as it may have been a scam. They even contacted Amy Shepherd. We asked them to meet at the public library to give us the phone and every one there was so kind and helpful. That night we slept a solid 11 hours and woke up refreshed and ready for more of London.
We began with meeting a health and safety inspector on the tube that personally delivered us to the London Tower where the Queens jewels are held, and gave us a little history of the Beefeaters, the Boleyn sisters and crazy Henry the VIII. We were offered a sugar puff from the bakery and knew we were going to have a good day. Sure enough, at a little pharmacy people helped us map our route and were so generous. We bought digestive biscuits and walked over the iconic Tower Bridge to find the museum of fashion. It was a quaint museum in the Borough district where we learned a bit about early designers and then stepped across the street to the charming B streetcafe. Why is it that cities in Europe have fresher, tastier food? My salad trio was the best I’ve ever had and Amy warmed up with a chili and cheese smothered potato. It was surely time for the double decker bus! Now we could see London in style. We rode through London city proper, over London bridge and hopped off in London’s East End at St Paul’s Cathedral where we saw all the famous second hand shopping. We had a treat at the Cereal Killer Cafe, a place of retro cereals and cereal milk treats. The weather was so beautiful we decided to find the floating book store, called Words on the Water. Eliza bought a few
books and we headed home to quickly get ready for the show. We asked directions on the
subway, and a very nice gentleman gave us instructions and then because we were all headed
to the same place in Paddington, led the way like a tour guide. Ramsey was born and bred in
London, except for his time in boarding school, and his 5 years as a professional poker player.
Now he was developing an app and spending time with his “lady.” Turns out Ramsey was
getting fish and chips at the same spot we were going for dinner, Hobson’s, one of the best in
London he said! He was able to recommend what to get, including mushy peas, and he got a
gherkin (pickle) We even practiced our accents!
After the world’s fastest supper, we dressed and headed back to the tube to Victoria theatre. Turns out there are several Victoria theatres. We panicked when we saw the long lines for — Hamilton. We had come to see Wicked! Thankfully, just in the nick of time and with the help of more kind people, we crossed the street to the correct theatre and settled into our seats for a fantastic performance. I never tire of the music and it was so fun to see it with Amy her first time.
Friday was our shopping day. We were startled to find that the entry door had been forced open and broken. We were rattled already by the stolen purse, and we got kind of freaked out that the events were related. We contacted the rental company and they promised to have it all “sorted” by the end of the day. Our first stop was a Hospice thrift store, where I found a fantastic replacement purse. Next we went to find the BYU Kennedy center, so Eliza has an image to associate with her dream. It is in Kensington, just across the pond from Kensington castle and gardens. The spot is so beautiful and Amy loved seeing where Princess Diana lived. The princess was a childhood hero for Amy. The gift shop was our favorite. Amy and I picked out biscuit tins for friends, London art for my laundry room collection, and Eliza got a tea towel and necklace charm. We walked from Kensington to the Albert and Victoria museum to see the Dior exhibit, however we didn’t factor in that it was “half term break,” and the exhibit would be sold out. We visited the sculpture exhibit, including Rodin and the fashion exhibit. Amy and I tried hard to define art in a lively discussion through the streets of London. Kind of surreal. We decided to walk to Nottinghill and stopped for some delicious noodles and dumplings at it’s ( a chain restaurant we need in the US) and appreciated the pretty architecture on our way to Portabello Road. We could have spent all day there. Our favorite store was Powell’s, where there were lovely linens, bags and toys. Amy found a pair of little girl overalls that were so sweet they made me cry. They will be perfect for her farm. We also had fun peering at the clothing, food and antique shops. It was so beautiful outside, but our legs gave out on us so we rode the bus to Kensington and went to our local grocery store. We found crumpets, hot cross buns, Welch tea cakes, as well as fresh bread, pasteries and such good cheese. Why can’t we have cheese and bread like that at home? Eliza fell asleep early and Amy and I laughed until it hurt watching you tube videos with our swollen feet propped against the wall.
Our neighbors had some kind of crazy party, the flat was hot and the sirens went all night, but we were up early for our departure. And no hot water for showers. I loved our hard boiled eggs, oatmeal and yogurt breakfasts at home. It felt English.
My favorite part of the trip was getting to go see all of London’s famous buildings like Big Ben (even though you couldn’t really see it because it was covered in construction), tower bridge, and the eye. I also liked being able to learn more about the royal family more. When I go back I can’t wait to be able to explore things more and even go to different places. The people there were really nice and always willing to help us when we didn’t know how to get to places.
It was an incredible trip. We walked at least 10 miles a day, had good food, made memories and stretched ourselves (read Eliza). Amy’s gift of travel is a blessing. She is generous and kind.
After the world’s fastest supper, we dressed and headed back to the tube to Victoria theatre. Turns out there are several Victoria theatres. We panicked when we saw the long lines for — Hamilton. We had come to see Wicked! Thankfully, just in the nick of time and with the help of more kind people, we crossed the street to the correct theatre and settled into our seats for a fantastic performance. I never tire of the music and it was so fun to see it with Amy her first time.
Friday was our shopping day. We were startled to find that the entry door had been forced open and broken. We were rattled already by the stolen purse, and we got kind of freaked out that the events were related. We contacted the rental company and they promised to have it all “sorted” by the end of the day. Our first stop was a Hospice thrift store, where I found a fantastic replacement purse. Next we went to find the BYU Kennedy center, so Eliza has an image to associate with her dream. It is in Kensington, just across the pond from Kensington castle and gardens. The spot is so beautiful and Amy loved seeing where Princess Diana lived. The princess was a childhood hero for Amy. The gift shop was our favorite. Amy and I picked out biscuit tins for friends, London art for my laundry room collection, and Eliza got a tea towel and necklace charm. We walked from Kensington to the Albert and Victoria museum to see the Dior exhibit, however we didn’t factor in that it was “half term break,” and the exhibit would be sold out. We visited the sculpture exhibit, including Rodin and the fashion exhibit. Amy and I tried hard to define art in a lively discussion through the streets of London. Kind of surreal. We decided to walk to Nottinghill and stopped for some delicious noodles and dumplings at it’s ( a chain restaurant we need in the US) and appreciated the pretty architecture on our way to Portabello Road. We could have spent all day there. Our favorite store was Powell’s, where there were lovely linens, bags and toys. Amy found a pair of little girl overalls that were so sweet they made me cry. They will be perfect for her farm. We also had fun peering at the clothing, food and antique shops. It was so beautiful outside, but our legs gave out on us so we rode the bus to Kensington and went to our local grocery store. We found crumpets, hot cross buns, Welch tea cakes, as well as fresh bread, pasteries and such good cheese. Why can’t we have cheese and bread like that at home? Eliza fell asleep early and Amy and I laughed until it hurt watching you tube videos with our swollen feet propped against the wall.
Our neighbors had some kind of crazy party, the flat was hot and the sirens went all night, but we were up early for our departure. And no hot water for showers. I loved our hard boiled eggs, oatmeal and yogurt breakfasts at home. It felt English.
My favorite part of the trip was getting to go see all of London’s famous buildings like Big Ben (even though you couldn’t really see it because it was covered in construction), tower bridge, and the eye. I also liked being able to learn more about the royal family more. When I go back I can’t wait to be able to explore things more and even go to different places. The people there were really nice and always willing to help us when we didn’t know how to get to places.
It was an incredible trip. We walked at least 10 miles a day, had good food, made memories and stretched ourselves (read Eliza). Amy’s gift of travel is a blessing. She is generous and kind.
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