Since Joe will be leaving for the MTC before spring break, we decided to take the kids on one last quick trip as a family. We used my vacation passes and flew first class to London. What a treat that was! Everyone thought we were crazy to fly so far for such a short time, but we had a wonderful time.
We spent the first day seeing the sites by hopping on and off a double decker bus and walking around London. We stopped at Buckingham Palace, Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar square for photos and went into the National Gallery to warm up and see some art. We also hopped on the tube and visited Platform 9 3/4--a must do for all the Harry Potter fans in our family. That day we enjoyed lunch at an English pub and dinner at an Indian restaurant. Erin, our most picky eater, decided Indian food was not for her. So she watched us eat and then I walked her across the street for a happy meal while the rest of the family waited to pay the bill. What a silly girl!
Our second day was spent touring the Tower of London and visiting the British Museum. This was a great day. Melissa and I went to London back in 2000, and after visiting the British Museum we found a Greek restaurant nearby where we had dinner. Our goal was to try and find this restaurant again, but we really couldn't remember which way to go looking for it. So after we left the museum, we walked down the street to buys some souvenirs. As we were making our final purchase, Greg spotted a little Greek restaurant down the road. It wasn't the same place, but the food was excellent so we won't complain. This time we took a business card just in case we are in London again and craving Greek food.
We were supposed to fly home on the noon flight the following day, but after checking the flights at bedtime we discovered that flight was nearly sold out. So we got up early to head to the airport to catch the 9:30 flt. This mean missing our B&B breakfast, which made us sad, but also guaranteed us first class on the flight home so it was probably worth the sacrifice. At the airport we discovered that the British are much more strict on carry on luggage than we are here in the US. Bags we carried on the same type of plane in the US, had to be checked on our return flight. This made for a more hurried experience at the airport which left me kind of frazzled. But in the end we got all the bags checked and were still able to make it to our gate with time to spare. All in all, this was a wonderful trip and a great way to spend some quality family time together before Joe leaves for Colorado.
On the Gatwick Express heading into London
Jet lag catches up to half the family on the double decker bus tour.
Waiting for the tube
Hanging out with the Lions in Trafalgar square
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