London, my third home

So Houston will always be home and currently, Holland is home.  But I have grown to love London as well.  It's such a blessing to have meetings there or get invited to come over when everyone knows I'm working by myself or on the phone all day.  It really makes for a great week to know I've got a few days here and there in London.

I went before Croatia as well for a quick overnight trip.  Nothing to post from that outing, except that I got a lot accomplished at work and managed to have a lot of fun on Wednesday night as well. 

My latest trip was for the weekend.  I needed to be in London on Monday for some meetings, so I scheduled to come over early to do the weekend. 

I stayed once again at Hilton Hyde Park - trying to build up those points.  On Friday night, I met some of my co-workers for a proper night out on the town to celebrate a career milestone for one of them.  Great times.  I learned about the bar scene around the office again and saw my first mouse (in a bar).  Exciting!

After a late, late night on Friday, I was slow to get started on Saturday.  I first went to Portobello Road to reenact Bedknobs and Broomsticks.  If you've never seen this movie, your not missing a classic Disney film.  However, as a kid, I was obsessed with this movie.  It was like my Finding Nemo.  There's a song in it about Portobello Road and I felt like it would just be a magical place.  As the line goes, "street where the riches of ages are stowed".  I enjoyed it, but it was super crowded and cold, so it probably needs a second shot:

George Orwell's home....somehow I pictured him living in a very depressing place, but it was actually a cheery neighborhood with pastel color houses.  Who would have thought?

 "Anything and everything a chap can unload is sold off the barrow at Portobello Road"

 Beautiful vintage sewing machine display in a clothing store

 Beautiful vintage sewing machine display in a clothing store

Crowds!!!

After going down Portobello road and buying some strawberries to snack on that were as big as my hand, I headed toward Leicester Square to see what was half price for theatre.  Unfortunately, the line was already super long, so I figured I'd shoot for a Sunday matinee if I caught one on this trip.  I didn't, but glad I didn't.

I then walked up Whitehall to see Downing Street:

I checked with the guards - David wasn't around for tea.

I then went to Westminster.  Did you know it closes at 1:30 on Saturdays?  No?  Neither did I.  Sad.  One day I will actually go in this building:

I then walked back up Whitehall:

Britain is so good at war memorials.  Maybe not as good as DC, but close.  Then I headed back to Leicester Square for lunch.  After that, it was to the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery for culture.  I liked the National Gallery - it reminded me of the Rijksmuseum (if it weren't under construction), with a broader range of paintings.  I especially enjoyed the impressionist exhibit, but the Dutch masters was really well done as well.  The Portrait Gallery I could have skipped.  It was like a British history year book to be honest, without the cool notes left in the yearbook by friends.  Not impressed to be honest.  I did see Kate's new portrait.  I like it - I know there was controversy over it making her look a bit old, but I think it's great.  A very well done and classy picture.  I then had tea at the gallery, along with clotted cream and a scone.  Yumm.

That night, I met a co-worker for drinks and dinner.  That was fun as well - all new bars and a new restaurant.

Sunday was a late start again due to another late night.  Totally worth it.  I first walked through Kensington Gardens: 

Then I did the tour of Kensington Palace, which to be honest, was pretty lame.  They added a lot of modern art to it (i.e. carpets with writing in it, sayings painted on the wall), all of which just felt cheap.  However, it was neat to say you were walking where Diana once walked and Victoria/Albert lived and where Kate/William will live one day.  Worth it for that.

I wonder if Victoria ever asked Albert if this dress made her look fat.  And if so, what was the reply?

After that, I had afternoon tea at the palace, which is fast becoming a tradition for me.  Go to a palace, drink tea like a princess.

Unfortunately, I'm not very lady like, so I definitely spilled part of my tea into the saucer.  Still working on my form.

To cap the weekend, I went to the Apsley house which is the former Duke of Ellington's home.  His claim to fame is defeating Napoleon at Waterloo.  He's kind of a big deal.  No pictures allowed, but great audio tour.