Day 6 London and the day we went to Buckingham Palace

Wow!! What an amazing day!! We were up early, packed and at the Penkridge train station by 9.10am. We caught the train to Wolverhampton, and then swapped onto the Virgin train (which was delayed) and this took us all the way into London Euston station.  Once there we were through the station and then onto the tube - Victoria line to Green Park, and then a change on to the Piccadilly line to Earls Court. A short walk and we were at our motel, the Premier Inn, which will be our home for the next couple of nights. We were able to check in and drop our bags, which was fantastic, and then it was time for lunch, everyone was starving by this point.  Grant, Marni, Ashleigh, Kyle, Jack, Lexie and Katie had Subway, Gary, Nathan and I had Burger King (more commonly known as Hungry Jacks). Its the first time in ages since I've eaten HJs and to be honest, that Double Bacon Cheese Burger went down a treat! 

Earl Court Tube Station

From there it was back to the underground and on the tube at Earls Court to Westminster. It was here that we walked up the stairs from the underground and stepped out right in front of Big Ben, just in time to hear the world renowned clock chime 2pm. What an exhilarating feeling, and we were sharing it with thousands of others! Trying to prepare yourself for the amount of people that you would come across in a city like London, is a truly difficult thing, until you actually experience it for yourself. We were all blown away, by the initial sights and sounds of London.

Big Ben with the London Eye in the background 

From there we walked to the Westminster bridge and took our first look upon the river Thames, and the London Eye. We then back tracked past Big Ben, and headed for Westminster Abbey, a special place that I have always wanted to see, so to be here and looking at it up close, was a very special moment for me. Unfortunately the line to go in was huge, and so we decided against lining up, but I'm hoping I may be able to plan it so I can have a look inside either tomorrow or Wednesday.  I managed some time in the Westminster shop though, and grabbed a few souveniors to bring home with me, including something special for you Tina, which I think you will love! 

Westminster Abbey

How many can we squeeze into a red phone box?

We then continued on and walked down Petty France street, where we picked up some afternoon tea. Pets organic coffee for Marni and I, while the rest went to Costas. It was then on to Buckingham Gate, and our first look at Buckingham Palace, just in time to catch the end of the changing of the guard! What a magnificent sight! We spent a while here just taking it all in, before walking down The Mall, past St James's Palace to our left, and St James's Park to our right.

Buckingham Palace

Marni and I outside Buckingham Palace

Looking from Buckingham Palace down The Mall

Ashleigh and Lexie sitting in front of the Tulips at the corner of Hyde Park and the start of a the Mall

Guards at St James's Palace

We walked through Admiralty Arch and then turned the corner and walked up to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, and then past Her Majesty's Theatre to Leicester Square. It was here that we found the Brittania Shop, and in we went. Marni and I couldn't resist buying a London jumper each and so we now officially look like tourists! Lexie too has a keen eye for shopping, so us girls had a wonderful time wandering around in there, before we got the hurry up from the boys, who were insisting it was "beer o'clock".

Admiralty Arch

Trafalgar Square looking at the National Gallery

Trafalgar Square

Her Majesty's Theatre

The Moon Under Water was our watering hole for an hour or so to recoup and sit for a bit. It was here we decided to book into Maxwells for tea at 7pm, so Katie rang and snared a booking for ten people. We then meandered our way towards Maxwells calling in to the M & M World - yes a shop fully dedicated to M & M chocolates, and let me tell you, this is not a small shop, this is a huge shop with every conceivable colour M & M that you can think of, and it smelt AMAZING!

Wandering through Covent Gardens was lovely, lots of street performers, and a stop into lots of shops including Waterstones bookstore, Chanel, Monsoons and Accessorise. We stopped and watched a street performer outside the Punch & Judy pub, where people go and stand on the balcony to overlook the square.

It was then into Maxwells for dinner. This restaurant was incredibly busy and watching the turnover of customers was an absolute eye opener. We were booked for 7pm, but it was closer to 730pm before we were seated. It was very loud and very hot in there, but the food was delicious. It cost us £127 for ten of us to eat and all our drinks!

We were absolutely knackered, and the kids were almost asleep on their feet, so it was back to Earl Court and the Premier Inn, via the Underground Tube, with a quick stop at the co-op for some water and chocolate! 

We checked Nathan and Marni into their room, as it wasn't available when we first arrived in the morning, and then it was off to bed for all of us at 1030pm, ready for another massive day of exploring London tomorrow.

Highlights

* The many amazing sights

* The architecture

* Finally after watching the Royal Weddings, to actually stand in spots that I have seen on TV, and feel familiar with these places

* Feeling like we were in a real life Monopoly Game

* Double Decker Buses

* Red Phone Boxes

* Sharing this experience with Gary, Katie, Jack and Lexie

* Katie and Gary have been amazing tour guides :)

Lots of love,

Chrissie x