Dear London Town

Our morning spent at the Natural History Museum!

After leaving the London Transport Museum, we went to Loch Fyne to have some fish. This is the same place where Lauren tried her first oyster. While she didnt care so much for the oyster, she did love the small bowl of peas that came with her dinner. She loved them so much that it was quite fitting, as we were about to see Oliver!, that she was asking for more. Her mother, being ever-so-happy that more green anything was wanted by her daughter, sent in the order, which arrived in a MUCH larger bowl.

See the results:

Following our sticky toffee pudding, we headed to the theatre. Thanks again to Charlotte who arranged the fabulous seats.

It’s funny to hear what Lauren thought was so awesome. Then again, I think at her age that I would have been impressed by the kid dancing too. While the music is still catchy and Fagin, played by Omid Djalili, was hilarious, there’s still some tough subject matter in there for an 8-year old to grasp.

On our walk home, we left on the Stage Door side, so we hung around and saw Bill, Fagin and Nancy (the Nancy video is not included due to bad footage).

All in all… we had a great day and an even better evening!

The videos were much longer today since we had the Changing of the Guards taking up most of the morning, so here’s part I of day 3.

Dear Class,

Today, my mom and Aunt Kate tried to take me to Hogwarts. We went to Kings Cross Station, found Platform 9 3/4 and tried to push the trolley through the wall, but we’re just muggles. So we went to some museums instead.

First, we went to the Natural History Museum. I saw lots of dinosaur bones, birds and animals (dead and stuffed), and stood in a room that shook like an earthquake. There was also a humongous blue whale (not alive). Then, I went through a really hot butterfly house.

Next, we went to another museum to see dresses (Victoria & Albert — km). My aunt and I played a game where we chose our favorite dress from every case. We did it with the shoes too, and I chose all the ones she didn’t. I also picked out some fancy suits for my dad. My favorite dresses were the newer (more contemporary — km) dresses, not the really old ones. The funniest dress was this one made out of bras. I saw a white dress with pearls that my mom really liked. She says Princess Diana wore it.

Then, we walked to Hyde Park to have a picnic and see a fountain my mom wanted to see, but first we sat down for a snack by the lake. There were a lot of birds that I got to feed. One swan even came up to our table and waited for more food. I counted a lot of dogs in the park. I even threw a ball for one to go fetch. When we got to the fountain, I ran all the way around it and had my mom time me to see how fast I could do it. I touched the water and it was really, really cold.

After the park, we went shopping at Harrod’s. My favorite part was the pet kingdom and seeing the puppies. I wanted to bring home a new pet. Besides puppies, they had kittens, rabbits, hampsters and guinea pigs. My aunt dared me to eat a dog treat, so I did. It tasted so good, like chocolate. I got some for my dogs Boomer and Duncan. I also got a surprise for my brother, but from a different part of the store. I really liked the magic tricks in the toy kingdom. They were awesome. I also tried Spanish ham in the food hall. They cut it off a big pig shoulder. It had a lot of fat. I also saw a giant piece of cheese. It was the biggest I’ve ever seen!

We went to see another play tonight called Billy Elliot. It’s about a boy who wants to do ballet, but his dad doesn’t want him to. It had curse words in the play and I couldn’t understand everything they said, but I liked the dancing a lot.

We stopped at Piccadilly Circus on the way home. It was crowded, even though it was late at night. My aunt and mom say it’s really cool, but I was really tired and fell asleep on the bus. I’m glad I get to sleep in tomorrow.

London is filled with buskers, or people who perform for entertainment, money or the hope for fame. Covent Garden is one of the best places to watch circus acts, hear opera or symphonic groups, see the statue people interact with little ones or generally see something you wouldnt see everyday.

I’m toying with the idea of capturing some of these people and making a small series here on the blog about it. When I can, I’d like to ask them some simple questions, like: name, website, goals, favorite busking memory, and where to see them perform.

Till I have an opportunity to sit down and ask them, I’m going to post the videos I have at random to give you an idea of what I see on an almost daily basis somewhere in London.

Today’s feature comes from Covent Garden. There are two clips – sorry the first one got cut short…

The normal celebration of the 4th would be spent at home with my family in Arkansas and attending an annual get-together that I’ve only missed a couple times in my life – usually due to being in another country.

My sis and the kiddos sent me a care package of Independence Day treasures and fun. I still missed out on the Huber potatoes, Jody’s meatballs, hanging at the lake and playing pyro for the kids’ firework watching pleasure, but it sure is nice to feel loved all the way from home!

“A heatwave warning has been issued for England and Wales, with temperatures in some areas potentially rising as high as 32C (90F) in the coming days.”

I sent this to both my mom and sister, who both wrote back “big deal! It’s hotter in the Ozarks.” Yet, they both forget that air conditioning is not something that comes standard in London flats.

Fortunately, my room is on low ground with no direct sun. The temperature difference between my kitchen area above and the rooms below feels like 10 degrees.

I had a real need to cook today and spent the majority of my time upstairs. It got quite warm indeed! I finally gave up sweating in the kitchen to take a cold shower around 5pm and then sat in my room with my fan on full blast.

Yowza! It’s hot here!!

Dear London Town,

I wish I could say I missed you on my holiday, but I didnt. I enjoyed the carefree days of lounging by the pool, drinking coffee, eating my weight in pasta and trying to speak Italian with E’s parents. Such a perfect trip away…and so close! In less than a 2 hour flight, I can return some day.

Still, I have come home to your warm embrace! How strange, London Town! Has summer finally hit your streets? Perhaps you and I will need to sit in the park, drink Pimm’s, and reacquaint ourselves.

xx

Lake Garda, Italy