Playing in London

The day after the funeral for the queen the city was still pretty hectic. Barriers were still being taken down, and a lot of roads were still blocked off. We did a bit more wandering of the city and really just enjoyed the beautiful weather.

We made it to Covent Gardens, a hipster style shopping district. It was fun to wander around and window shop. Also, there was an amazing opera singer performing around the area as well. It was beautiful. There were tons of people, but we did stop for some amazing Vietnamese Street food. My city is absolutely missing this.

We wondered through Hyde Park, stopped at the Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square (one of my favorites), then saw the Vitoria and Albert Museum as well as the Science Museum. We went back to Westminster Abby and Big Ben to see them with all the barriers removed. 

We ended our day back at the amazing Italian place we loved on a previous night.

I believe we walked another 11 miles this day too. 

London during the Queen's Funeral

Our trip to England was planned over the summer. It just so happened that Queen Elizabeth II passed the week before we flew in. As a result, the funeral happened in the middle of our weeklong trip.

We didn't know what to expect on the day or how things would play out. All we knew was that it would be a bank holiday, everything would be closed, and the city was going to be a mess of people, roadblocks, etc. 

Because there was nothing else for us to be able to do, and it was kind of a big deal to be there during that time, we decided we might as well get up early and join in on the chaos. We left our hotel about 6am and took the metro into downtown London. 

We got off right near Buckingham Palace and were immediately directed along a narrow path lined with barriers and security and event workers. The park leading up to the palace was blocked off. 

Everything around the palace was blocked off for media. So much media from around the world. They directed people to line up along the roads and wait. But for what we didn't know. It was only 7 am, the funeral wasn't until 11am, and we were not sure we wanted to stand around the area for the next 4 hours.

We found our way back out of this area and walked further on up the roads trying to see if we could find some other routes to walk along. Everywhere we wanted to go was blocked off to all traffic, including pedestrians. 

We walked through piccadilly circus, Trafalgar square, all full of barriers and security directing traffic in the opposite direction we were going. 

Occasionally we would stop and ask a security person what was going on, but even they didn't seem to know. All they knew was they were directing traffic, but their directions were changing hourly.

It was still early morning, so we just kept walking not wanting to follow the lines of people. We ended up walking across the bridge to the other part of town and wandered along the river. 

Not many people were out, but it was chilly along the way. We enjoyed the views as we walked past the London Eye and got some more great shots of Parliament and Big Ben from this side of town. 

They even had a wall along the river dedicated to those who passed away during Covid. It was a beautiful tribute, and also really sad.

We walked across the bridge headed to the parliament building and of course discovered more roadblocks. 

We continued to walk, seeing all the roadblocks, and got to an area where we were stuck at being shooed with the crowd through the blockades in a certain direction. There were some more security people so we stopped to chat with them about what was happening.

They told us everyone was being directed to the Mall (which is all the roads leading up to Buckingham Palace) so they could camp out and wait. But for what? That's when they told us that after the funeral there would be a big procession along the Mall and that's where you wanted to be. I asked if it was worth it. Would we really be able to see anything, or would we be better off sitting in a pub watching it on TV? They assured us that no, we would be able to see things, and it is definitely where we wanted to be.

 It was where they would rather be so they could see all the stuff, but as they were working they weren't going to see anything. They explained everything would start at noon after the funeral was over.

This was helpful information, as we didn't know what was going to happen. We finally joined the crowd in the barriers and followed them to the Mall. Which was basically where we had first started in the morning. Oh well. We found a place to stand and wait about 10am, so the rest of it was just waiting. 

There were tons of people everywhere. They had a lot of portaloos set up so that was a nice option, and for the most part people were friendly. I chatted with some lovely English ladies who came to London for the events. They too had no idea what to expect, but this was a big deal and they decided why not. 

At 11am the funeral started. They broadcast the audio of it live through the load speakers along the streets. I did enjoy listening to it. While the funeral was going on, we watched the Queen's guards marching up along the roads getting themselves in place for whatever was going to happen next. Once the funeral was over, things happened rather quickly. We heard it before we saw it.

After the funeral the parade began. All the different military uniforms, military bands, dignitaries, etc. came through the roads and past all of us onlookers. 

It was very interesting and exciting to be there. What I didn't realize was that the Queen would be part of this procession. 

But sure enough, towards the end of the line came the queen. The crowd went silent as her coffin passed and people through flowers into the street as it did. I found it very moving and even got a bit emotional. 

This was the end of a big era for all of these people. 

Once it was over the crowds dispersed rather quickly. We decided to walk a bit beyond where we were to avoid the massive crowds and the nearest Tube stations. We found a pub and decided to stop and sit for a bit and eat some lunch. We were starving by this point. It filled up not long after we got there, and I was glad we were able to get a table. We watched the rest of the funeral events on the giant television while we ate.

We thought by this point the crowds would be more manageable and we could head back to the hotel. What we did not anticipate is that they had blocked off all of the bridges leading to the other side of town. We were told it was for security reasons, and they had no idea when they'd open up the bridges. They directed us back to the busy Tube stations.

We got back to our hotel eventually and crashed for an early night. It had been a very long day, and I think in total we walked close to 12 miles. I'm glad we went and got to participate. 

London

This was our first actual day getting to see London instead of doing a day trip outside. 

Our hotel included a full breakfast every day while we were there at the pub across the gardens. 

Because the previous days we had to be at the train station before the breakfast area opened up, we finally had a chance to sleep in a little, and also get a nice big breakfast.

I loved their breakfast. They had the classic cereal, porridge, yogurt, along with croissants and meat and cheese. They then had hot breakfast options that ranged from the full English Breakfast (toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes) to just plain eggs. In addition, there were fresh fruit juices, coffee, and of course tea with your own personal tea pot. I loved everything about this.

After getting our fill, we took the tube into London. We were about 40 minutes outside of downtown London on the tube which was not bad at all. Our hotel was less than a 10-minute walk which made it easy for us to get anywhere we wanted to go. 

Our first stop was the Sherlock Museum at 221B Baker Street. I'm such a nerd and I make everyone come here when I'm in London.

 The museum is an entire 4 story London flat (not huge) that is made up to look like Sherlock's apartment from the books. it is full of memorabilia from his famous cases, as well as some authentic Victorian furniture pieces and decor. I always think it's worth seeing because it's fun.

After that we made our way to the Tower of London. Our trip to London just happened to coincide with the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It wasn't planned, she just happened to pass the week before we left on our trip. Because this particular day was the day before her state funeral, there were some things that were not part of the experience. 

For example, normally you can join in on a 30-minute tour with the beefeaters to take you through the Tower and tell you stories, and history, before letting you wander on your own. Also, not all the crown jewels were there to see as some of them were part of the state funeral services. 

Before we got the tickets, they did give us a disclaimer so we knew what would be missing. We still went anyway. I guess these disclaimers turned a lot of people away as the place was not nearly as packed as I would have expected for a Sunday.

We wandered around, climbed all the steps to see all the towers, saw the crown jewels, took lots of pictures, and played around until we were ready to leave. 

From there we walked over to Tower Bridge and did what I have always wanted to do but haven't ever, which is go inside the bridge and up to the top. 

They have stairs you can climb up to the top, or you can take an elevator up and down. We voted for the elevator. 

Once you get to the top part, it's all enclosed so you don't have to worry about wind and weather. 

It also offered some really great views, and some people taking interesting selfies on the floor of the tower. I opted to take a picture of the selfie takers instead of laying on the ground myself. It was really interesting, and they let you wander around up there as much as you want. Totally worth doing. 

When we exited the bridge on the other side of the river we came across a very large line of people. Turns out this was part of line that went to Parliament for viewing the Queen lying in state. All the news outlets had said the line was closed and they were not allowing any more to step in. We understood why seeing how crazy long it was.

It was nearing the end of the day, so we jumped on the train and headed up to the British Museum to explore before they closed. By the time we got there we only had 45 minutes to explore the museum. That is not much time at all. (We had gone to the museum earlier in the day, but there was a line around the block in both directions, so we had decided we'd try again later in the day to avoid the line). There wasn't much of a line with 45 minutes to closing. 

We did have to rush through most of it and pick and choose the main things. We saw the Rosetta Stone, and the really cool Egyptian Collection. We then walked through other areas of the museum until they announced everyone to leave. 

We didn't get a chance to go back and spend more time, but we saw the highlights at least. I convince my partner that while we were in London we might as well be nerds. So we went to Kings Cross Station and saw platform 9 3/4. 

We did not wait in the line to get our picture taken, but we did take a look inside the Platform 9 3/4 store. It was very expensive, so we didn't buy anything. Also nothing we wanted there anyway. 

By this point we were very hungry. Lucky for us there was an Indian restaurant across the street from the station with some very high reviews. We took a gamble, plus we were too hungry to really hunt, and popped in for some real Indian food. Turns out this was the best Indian food we had in London during our trip. I still think about it often. It was so good, and filling, and hit all the cravings I'd been having for the real, good quality stuff. 

Once fully stuffed, we made it back to the hotel and crashed for the night. Miles walked 10.

Bath England

 I have been to Bath many times. It's a quaint little town with some great architecture that I think is worth seeing. In planning our trip the best day for us to venture here would be on a Saturday. We had another early morning to grab the train for the hour and a half journey out there.

It was early when we got there so we enjoyed not fighting tons of people first thing after arriving. 

It really is a pretty city first thing in the morning. 

We wandered around to the main area where Bath Abby is. 

This is one of my favorite Abby's to visit and I think they have the most beautiful stained-glass windows. 

The inside is also white, which makes it very bright and airy as opposed to many other cathedrals that are dark and cave like on the inside. Right next to the Abby are the famous Roman Baths. Of course, we had to stop in and see them. 

We got there right as it opened, so there was no line, and just a few other people already inside. We took the tour and enjoyed seeing all the history and details there are to see. They've done a great job of leading you through all the areas and explaining what everything is. 

They also projected scenes in many of the areas showing what that particular area of the bath looked like at the height of its use. 

The main area you see outside is full of green algae, which they clearly mark stating to stay away from. I would not want to touch that water as it does not look that great, and I don't want to get horribly sick from the bacteria involved in it.

At the very end of the tour before you exit, they have an area where you can taste the mineral water. 

All around this little fountain there are quotes from many famous and well-known historical figures describing the taste of the famous healing Bath waters. I have tasted it, but my partner in crime had no desire to taste the mineral water. The smell alone was a deterrent. I still think he should have just to say her did. He didn't bend to my peer pressure.

In case you are wondering, it doesn't taste good. It's warm water, that basically tastes like a copper penny. Now you know. The quotes around it are rather entertaining. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of them and regretted it after we left. No doubt at some point in the future I will be back yet again. We passed by the famous Pump Room but did not venture in as it is now a very fancy restaurant you need reservations for. 

As we left the Roman Baths, we saw all the long lines and tour groups waiting to go in. I'm so glad we got in early before the crowds came. Especially since it was on a Saturday.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the city. Bath has a lot of hills, so we tried to plan it where we only went uphill one time. Bath also is a great place for anyone who loves to shop. I am not a fan of shopping, but my partner is. We spent a lot of the day in and out of stores, listening to the loud performers complete amongst themselves outside. It was a beautiful fall day with a nice breeze so we could not have asked for better.

Eventually we made our way along to some of the well-known architecture, got some great views of the city, and ended up on the other side of the town where the locals were at a kid's park. 

We walked until we were tired of walking, and tired of dealing with the millions of people, and saw everything we wanted before making it back to the train station and heading back to London. 

I was so tired I fell asleep on the train ride back. 

Because there were so many people in Bath we did not eat while there. We found a Japanese place near the hotel that had good review. 

While it was not at all what we expected it to be, the food was still very good. It was all fresh, nothing fried or cooked in tons of oil.

Since the hotel had a pub, and we'd noticed they had quite a dessert selection, we decided to end the night with something sweet before calling it a day. 

We ended up choosing a baked Alaska for 2. It was huge, it was delicious, and it came with a raspberry strawberry compote on the side that I could not get enough of. Would definitely eat it again some time. It was a fun day, though very long, and my feet were more than tired by the time they got to relax for the night. Miles walked that day was 12.