Whirlwind Week in London - Touring Tuesday

The Manor was host to two of our very good college friends for a week.  They'd never been across the ocean before, so they were up for anything!

We did not spend hours in any one place.  I tried to take them in for the highlights so they could get a flavor for all that London has to offer.  I had to keep track of time to return to our borough to retrieve Youngest Kiddo, so you could actually spend more time at the venues if you so choose.  I think our itinerary proves that you can just about see it all in one week (I listed the day's starting tube station in case you want to try our itinerary).

Sunday - arrival day Tube: Westminster

Pick up at Heathrow
Lunch at home
Westminster sights (Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, London Eye, River Thames)
Walk Whitehall to Trafalgar
Walk Trafalgar to Covent Garden & Seven Dials
Pub in Covent Garden 

We created a loose plan for the day since we had no idea how much (or little) sleep they had on the flight.  Luckily they had a few hours and were game to get out into the city.  I think the Westminster area is a great first stop because you see so many iconic structures in one spot.  A few drinks in the pub was a nice way to end their first day.    

Monday - Tube: Knightsbridge

Harrods

Victoria & Albert Museum

Natural History Museum

Walk to Kensington Gardens (see Royal Albert Hall & Albert Memorial)

Tour Kensington Palace

We chose to spend some time in Knightsbridge & South Kensington for their first full day of touring.  I thought it would be best to start at Harrods right at opening to walk the food halls, see the Egyptian staircase, and handbag department before the other tourists even finished their coffee.  The architecture in many of the museums is part of the charm.  The main lobby of the Natural History Museum is beyond gorgeous.  We had to queue outside the museum for about 20 minutes, but that gave us the chance to see all of the different tiles, gargoyles, and motifs on the building.  

Tuesday - Tube: Green Park

Changing of the Guard

Take away Pret sandwiches in Trafalgar Square

Tour Buckingham Palace

As much as I love the royals, the Changing of the Guard is not actually something you need to do.  Prior viewings had a well choreographed entrance of the fresh guard and an amusing concert with everyone's favorite God Save the Queen (also known as My Country Tis of Thee for the Americans out there).  Sometimes they throw in a contemporary tune or even the James Bond theme.  This particular day was uncharacteristically abysmal.  The band played sporadically, and it was just a big let down.  So we chose to waste no more time on that.  However, we did get a great view of the outgoing guard as they followed us down The Mall toward Trafalgar Square.  The highlight of the day was the summer opening of the Buckingham Palace State Rooms.  This year's theme had the ballroom set up for a state banquet; I'd sure like to be invited to one of those!

Wednesday - Tube: Kings Cross

Walk through Kings Cross & St. Pancras Stations to see the architecture & Platform 9 3/4
Camden Market (big thumbs down)

Walk to Primrose Hill and pass by Regent's Canal (big thumbs up!)

Piccadilly Circus to see favorite shops (Liberty, Fortnum & Mason, etc)
Self-guided pub crawl thanks to Yelp recommendations

I never get up to North London during the week because it's not the easiest to get there and back in time to pick the kiddos up from school.  So I was happy that the guests wanted to see that part of town.  Primrose Hill's view of the city is worth the gluteus maximus work out to get to the top.  Skip Camden Market and go for the fun shops off Piccadilly & Regent Streets.

Thursday - Tube: Monument
View The Monument (climb the 311 steps if you feel adventurous)

Tour Sky Garden (prebook your FREE tickets)

Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley scenes from Harry Potter movies)
Borough Market 
British Museum

The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is one of my favorite spots in the city (tickets are FREE, but you must prebook your time slot).  I highly recommend this over the London Eye due to cost and ambiance.  Then we walked to nearby Borough Market to see its lovely, historic food market with many diverse food options.  Be sure you bring cash if you go as not many stalls take cards.  We ended our day at the British Museum for my favorite must see items: Elgin Marbles (George Clooney's wife is trying to help get these returned to Greece), Egyptian Mummies, and the Room of Enlightenment.     

Friday- Tube: Tower Hill

Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Walk across Tower Bridge to St. Paul's
Pub in Richmond for dinner without the kids

We sent our guests to tour the Tower of London and met them for lunch at Wagamama Tower Hill.  Our walk from the Tower Bridge down to the Tate Modern gave a great view of the city.  Please admire the great view of St. Paul's before you cross the Millennium Bridge.  Since we spent so much time in the city during the week, we picked a pub out in Richmond for dinner so they could see another facet of Greater London.  

Saturday - Tube: Hammersmith

Fish & Chips @ Kerbisher & Malt

Bishop's Park for playtime and see and hear the Fulham stadium crowd

home for Pimms and dinner

Our guests' final day in London was certainly less eventful than the previous days.  We went for lunch at our favorite chippy (British for fish & chip shop), and ended the day with a stop at a park on the river.  Everyone took a turn playing on the equipment (although the adults realized that spinning rides aren't for us anymore) amidst the sounds of the nearby crowd as Fulham played Brighton and Hove Albion.  We spent the rest of the evening at home, eating, drinking Pimms, and laughing with our friends one last time. 

Then the week was over.  Their cab arrived at 5:30 Sunday morning to usher them back to Chicago.  It was a memorable week that I know none of us will forget.
  
What didn't we do?  I know it seems impossible that we missed anything.  Here's what I'd add with a few more days:
*West End show - There are always great shows in London, but I just never get around to booking tickets.
*National Gallery - Ran out of time
*River Thames boat ride - Ran out of time
*Afternoon Tea - I could have made it work, but I still can't stomach the £35+ per person at a proper spot for tiny sandwiches and a few bites of cake.  Yes there are cheaper options, but I feel you have to do this right or not at all.  
*A picnic in the park - The sun really never came out to make this a worthwhile event.  Sunny picnics in the park have the best people watching.  
*London Eye - Skipped this on purpose because the Sky Garden is free and they have snacks!

Just A Typical Day

I've been asked what my day is like in London, and this gives you a good idea of a normal day.  Although it might seem like I spend a ton of time in the city, I really only travel out of our borough once or twice a week.    

The morning starts early around here.  I do my best to be ready by the time the kids need to get up, but lately that hasn't happened because it is incredibly dark when my alarm goes off.  The lazy sun does not decide to get up until almost 7:00!

When the kids are finally roused out of bed they are always ready for breakfast.  Sometimes furry friends have to join us in order to keep the morning moving in a forward progression.  

Our journey to school varies from day to day.  This week the kids had the pleasure of riding their bikes to school as Oldest Kiddo had bike training.  There was no way Youngest Kiddo was letting his sister ride her bike alone.  Repeat these words over and over while you look at the next photo, "Eyes forward!  Stop aiming for the parked cars!" 

After dropping the kids at school I sometimes need to do a spot of shopping.  I brought my trusty granny cart with me on this day, but it didn't seem to hold everything.  After my last stop I had to drag the bags that wouldn't fit along on the bus ride.  

The afternoon was filled with baking for the school bake sale and a little Chicago radio via the internet.  While I enjoyed my lunch, I caught up on an episode of Friends.  I may or may not have taken a nap, too.  

How you doin'?

Before I knew it, the time had come for the afternoon school run.  I had to do a quick flat iron before leaving as the humidity and rain does funny things to just one side of my hair.  Believe me, that is as vain as I get.  A quick stop for a coffee along my route gives me the boost I need to finish the day.   

The kids wanted to make a stop by the charity shop on the way home.  Oldest Kiddo likes to hunt for new clothes while Youngest Kiddo scopes out the toys.  It's inexpensive entertainment for the kids.  Notice how dark it is?  We just left school!  

Once we arrive back home, the kids change from their uniforms into comfy jammies for the night.  

Depending on the evening, we might run across a little bit of fauna in the house.  Tonight this slug found some way to sneak into the conservatory.  I graciously plucked him off the door and returned him to the great wild.  We've been home to several spiders since the weather started turing colder.  They are creepy huge!

The kids usually have a quick snack (tonight was a bit indulgent) then it's time for the bedtime routine.

Once they are safe in their beds, I typically dive into my bedtime routine and call it a day.

It's hard work getting up before the sun. 

Do Men Really Need Their Own Tissues?

I frequently have groceries delivered to The Manor.  It is a huge time saver to me, and it's just gosh darn convenient.  

As you know you, when shopping online you don't always get the whole idea of what you are getting based on the photo.  Maybe the color is not quite what you expected.  Maybe the quality is better than you gathered from the description.  The item might be quite smaller than you anticipated from the photo.  

Well, I had an interesting experience with tissues.  My grocery store provides many options from the Kleenex brand.  In an attempt to be a savvy shopper, I compared the unit prices to find the best value.    

According to the unit prices the Kleenex Mansize was the best value at £1.25 per 100 sheets.  At no point did it cross my mind to scour the description - come on it's a box of tissues.  Herein lies the comedy.   

After I submitted my order, I began to wonder why Kleenex made a mansize tissue.  I can only imagine the creative session when these were invented.

"I think the male segment of our customer base is grossly under appreciated.  The boxes for the tissues we make have flowers and frilly swirls, and I think the bachelors are looking for something to match their decor."

"I also think the size of our tissues does not properly provide for the amount of snot men expel."

"I know!  Let's make a Mansize line of Kleenex.  We'll design the box to fit into every bachelor's grey & black decor, and the size of the tissue will rival a cloth diaper!!!"

Fast forward to delivery day.  The driver handed me this huge stack of boxes.  It was the Mansize Kleenex.  I've placed the typical box we get next to these behemoths for comparison.  They look more like a shirt box than a tissue box.  

These are more than mansize, they are Hagrid size.  

The diagonal measurement is more than a foot long!

I suppose some take two regular-sized tissues to contain their nasal needs, and this product will take care of that.  However, where the heck am I going to put the box?  Not a chance it will fit in the window sill or on the back of the toilet.
    

  I mean, look at the size of that tissue!

Taking the High Road - Touring Tuesday

I do not mean metaphorically.  

I mean literally.

The High Road is a vital part of most boroughs in London.  It is where residents go for daily necessities and social gatherings.  Each one has its own vibe that's akin to the neighborhood.  I've found that High Roads in boroughs like ours tend to have a similar collection stores and cafes mixed with some bespoke (British for original, one of a kind) shops such as stationers and framers.  

What is the best way to describe the High Road?  It's like the road/plaza where you find Target, Walgreens, Starbucks, Goodwill, and Ace Hardware in the United States.  The big difference is that you don't need a car for the High Road because all of the shops are close together, and it's a pain in the arse to park.

I am on the High Road everyday since it's on the way to the kids' school.  For practical purposes, the road is around one mile in length. Get your walking shoes on, and come along with me for a tour!  

The High Road has several produce stands.  The selection is beautiful, and the prices are typically the same or better than the grocery store.  Plus, it's a great way to see produce that is not a part of the typical grocery fare.  The people that work at the stalls have an endearing gruff personality that can quickly change to sweet and helpful, depending on the customer.  Thankfully I get the sweet and helpful guys that call me "Darling."   

I was surprised to see that we have a high quantity of charity shops (British for Goodwill & Salvation Army).  These aren't your typical shops where you have to really dig through the racks to find something good.  These charity shops are filled with quality merchandise that's in great condition, and I've heard that you can often find designer goods.  I am a big fan of the charity book shop where I've found books that are still on the best seller list.

We have three regular grocery stores dispersed on our High Road.  One is a higher end, not quite Whole Foods but slightly snooty.  It even has a funny Facebook page of the ridiculous things overheard at the store.  "Do we need fresh parmesan at our city and country house?"  The second, and my favorite, is more like a Trader Joes.  Almost all of the products are private label.  They have a nice niche market for ready to cook meals.  The final grocery reminds me of the typical suburban grocery store like Jewel or Publix.  It has everything, it's always busy, the produce isn't the best all the time, but it gets the job done.  I opt for home delivery of basics from this store since I have a difficult time carting everything home in my roller bag.  Then I go to the other two for fruits and fresh meat. 

Next along our walk are the chain shops that are on every High Road.  Not much to say about these, other than they are known brands to the general population.  We have many mobile phone shops, clothing shops, and UK sit down chain restaurants.

No High Road would be complete without coffee shops and bakeries.  Ours has many.  Some even have two locations on the same road, and all have their own personality.  The culture in the coffee shops is certainly relaxed.  Tables line the sidewalk all year, and on nice days they throw open the bi-fold doors to blur the line between inside and out.  The bakeries have delicious pain au chocolate, almond croissants, flaky croissants, scones, and sandwiches to go.  Of course Starbucks is represented twice.  The crumbs in the photo below are what was left of a chocolate croissant.  It was delicious.  

Yes, we have plenty of pubs and bars.  Like the coffee shops, the pubs have their own personalities.     

Finally, there are the niche shops that makes our High Road uniquely ours.  There is an American-owned cafe/bakery that I visit quite often.  It's where I can procure favorite American ingredients (marshmallows!), eat delicious desserts, and have a good conversation with the American owners.    

Thank you for going on this walk with me.     

Crafty Touring - Touring Tuesday

Whilst my mom is in London, I'm trying to find activities that fit into her crafting hobbies.

She lucked out to be in London for the first Saturday of the month to visit the Sewing Machine Museum.  Whilst not on the top of most tourists' list, it's a pretty fantastic place.  It was a journey to get there from our end of town.  To top if off, it is located near a very immature Underground stop.

This museum is located on the second floor of an old warehouse-like building.  I think the man in charge of the museum held court with his cigars in his office on the ground floor.  The smell permeated the rooms above filled with oodles of vintage sewing machines.  

We could peek into what looked like a repair shop off to the side of the museum.  I guess the employees like to listen to the oldies while they wait for Ernestine to connect them with a few ringy dingys.  

This is one of many niche museums in London that makes this city so great.