Thrilled to Have Gone to London
 

(Second attempt to post, hope not a duplicate)My son and I are back from a wonderful vacation to London. We never did make it to Bath,there was just too much to do in London and not enough time. Our first day we caught the Tube and headed to Kew where we met friends that live there and had tea in a little caf&eacute; that was wonderful. We then headed to Hampton Court Palace where I fell in love with England. I knew what to expect because of movies and books, but being there takes your breath away, you can just picture the Royal Barge pulling up on the Thames and Henry VIII standing there larger than life! It is just incredibly beautiful - all the autumn colors were at<BR>their prime! I had to take pictures of the statues of greyhounds, as I have something in<BR>common with Henry, I too love greyhounds! We took a tour, went through the kitchens,<BR>and I must say the men working there in the kitchens were very entertaining and<BR>informative (I wanted to stay with them all day)! My son now knows everything about how<BR>they cooked, the different spices, sweets, and different wine, ales, Mead, etc....he really thought it was rather cool! Thank goodness for my son’s wonderful sense of direction, we were able to get out of the maze, but when taking the tour through William III’s apartments in the palace he got tangled on the staircase (freak accident) and a very nice American<BR>stopped and untangled him!!

That evening - back in London - we hit the streets and started walking, I noticed a little dark winding lane with a neon sign that said Italian<BR>restaurant...so we went in to this little hole in the wall and had a delicious dinner (trout putanesca) and excellent service....we watched the football game on tv with others and<BR>enjoyed all the attention paid to us (especially kid who was named “Prince” for the evening)! The next day we went to the British Museum, sadly we did not see mummies as Room 60 was closed that day, but we did see the other ancient artifacts, funny how all the PBS shows<BR>and Discovery Channel have helped prepare us for our trip through the Museum as we recognized so much and some gave me goose bumps! But talking about goose bumps,the National Gallery! My favorites belonging to Monet and Van Gogh and Renoir!!! Oh how<BR>incredible - my nose just 8 inches from the real thing, those beautiful creations. Off to St. Martins to listen to a pianist and sit in the pews with the other homeless people seeking<BR>refuge from the bitter cold day outside....then a delicious little light lunch in the Crypt Caf&eacute; -<BR>then hit the streets again - went to Westminster, Big Ben - Parliament, ran across Scotland Yard, the Queen’s guards that are just so pretty on their beautiful horses (wanted to kidnap<BR>one, until I saw what baby faces they had, too bad), 10 Downing Street (moved quickly from there due to the American tourists crowding the small space), and of course (not in actual order), Trafalgar Square and we were covered from head to toe with pigeons (fun for kid, not especially my cup of tea - waiting for photos, holding my breath that there is at least one incredible one of kidlet with birds)! We were able to eat at only ONE pub (The Plough) because they could scoot child upstairs to a dining room that was closed to hide him - they took pity on our drop dead with starvation faces, and fed us the best food - he had Fish n Chips with peas, I had a cheddar<BR>and apple chutney toasted sandwich - ok was it the hunger or was that the best sandwich I have ever eaten?? That night we hit Wagamamas....it was fun, cool looking, waiter was friendly, but I have a problem with wanting to be neat and clean when I eat and I was feeling rather messy slurping noodles and sloshing broth all over my face - okay the kid LOVED it - he ate all the squid out of my bowl, and then we left just in time for the dinner crowd to<BR>pack in. My feet were killing me, so a good soak cured that! Meanwhile we went shopping at Boots (comparable to our Walgreens), the Internet caf&eacute; sponsored by Nestle, and bought<BR>fresh fruit from a market on the corner (Oranges from South Africa are so scrumptious, juicy and sweet).

Now my feet were worn to the bone, and I have been introduced to the<BR>cabs! UH OH!!!!! Forget the tube!!!! I am spoiled rotten - cabbies calling me Lovey or Ducky and giving us narrated tours as they drive us to our destinations....helping us pick<BR>out a good restaurant in Chinatown, you name it, they were extremely helpful and again, wanted to take them home with me! Well lets change that, I wanted to go home with them! <BR>Feeling energetic woke up one morning and put on our walking shoes and headed to Hyde Park. We stopped at the little visitor’s cottage at the gate (near Rotten Row) to see if they had a map or advice. The gentleman that worked there invited us in and he chatted with us for quite awhile and helped us figure what we wanted to see and do and we bought a map from him. I was definitely charmed by this man, as I was charmed with everything and<BR>everyone in London. Yes, I am sickeningly sweet on London. We walked through Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens to Kensington Palace where we toured and went and had tea at the Orangery looking out over the garden...very quaint and pretty and the tea helped warm our bones, it was cold and damp that day. I met a couple in the park with a Saluki. It made me miss my greyhound at home, and also he was so pretty I now want a Saluki to be a<BR>companion for my greythound! They told me I could not have him, so I hung my head down and walked sadly away... After tea we got lost! Could not find the tube station and ended up in Nottinghill where a businessman on his way home from a busy day walked us<BR>to the station (okay, sorry but I have NEVER encountered such wonderfully helpful people here in Florida, as I did in London, making it ever more fascinating). [end of part one]

What a great trip report! You sound so excited about the whole experience. I'm headed there in less than a month and reading your report has gotten me excited all over again. <BR><BR>Can't wait to read the rest!

Now I really wish I could have gone to England this year, your report brought back so many memories, how nice everyone was, Trafalgar Sq..St Martin in the Fields concerts...waiting for the next installment...Welcome home~

Great trip report! How did your son like London?

Stephanie, what airline did you use? How was the airport and flight? Are there really such long lines? And did you go to any plays? Glad you had fun.M

So true about the taxis. Everyone is a mini tour and it is such a hoot how the cabbies call you every assortment of politically correct name... hunny, love, sweetheart, doll. Can you imagine a cabbie in the US getting away with that?! Can you imagine a cabbie in the US you'd &lt;i&gt;want&lt;/i&gt; to get away with that?! Can you imagine a cabbie in the US who speaks English!

How old is your son? I ask, because we are going in January, and there will be a 14-year-old with us, and we were hoping to be able to eat cheaper by going to pubs. I've read that she's allowed in by law, but it's up to each individual pub whether she actually can.<BR>Hearing about your wonderful trip is making me more excited than ever about going!

Stephanie: What a great report! The breathless enthusiasm is palpable! You reminded me so much of my first trip to London. I was doing a Europe tour with my sister. She wanted London, I wanted Paris, so we did both. I absolutely became "besotted" with London and get back as often as I can. It's in my mind and heart daily.<BR><BR>Let's hear more!!!<BR><BR>

Thanks for your wonderful trip report! I hope to go to London with my daughter some year in the future and with any luck I'll be able to access your report for my research.

Stephanie, your report (Part I) is an absolute blast! Loved it! Do you recall the name of the Italian restaurant? Where did you stayed? Again, thanks for a wonderful read.

I remember when you were planning this trip and I've wondered how it went--thanks for letting us know.

My son is now 11 -too young for the pubs. A teen may be accepted easier entrance to a pub. <BR><BR>I don't remember the name of the Italian restaurant - darn it! But I will have to pull out my little book and see if I can find out where it was at least.<BR><BR>I flew Delta - NEVER AGAIN!!! Then again, they have said there are travel vouchers in the mail so I may have to....this time I will be prepared for the worst service, rude flight attendants, rude Ticket/Desk agent and NOT carry luggage for them to break into and lose! So now you know the worst part of my trip :( But don't worry London made up for the hassle...<BR><BR>I will be posting the rest :) soon....

(Continuation - Part Two) Harrods, what an experience that is - so fine, so ritzy as my son would say... drooling over the food court, carrying a heavy basket loaded with gifts of tins of everything I could grab, stroking cashmere, $$$$$$ signs lighting my eyes over Cartier jewelry, wishing for the new Kate Spade purse, and then the shoes - I love shoes and I really thought their shoe department looked fun, but with Little Boy in Tow it would not work.....what is wonderfully convenient about Harrods is that you don't have to open doors, the doorman does it for you and you don't have to carry your packages, they are delivered to a door to wait for you while you shop...my kind of place. With bags and bags in hand we got a cab, and this is when the magic of the moment hit me, big force, picture loads of shopping bags at your feet, warm and snugly in your black cab, surrounded by holiday shoppers, pretty store fronts, Christmas decorations everywhere and then you notice SNOW FLURRIES!!! Whoa, the Ninny in me came out, sat there in tears over the true Christmastime feeling....and that my trip has so far been such a joy!!! <BR><BR>Hamleys!! Floors of fun, fun and more fun. Forget the fact your are in a toy store crowded with screaming children, baby buggies, people smacking you left and right with their backpacks (I have decided that they need to outlaw the carrying of Backpacks in crowded and tight, confined areas such as stores - they are dangerous!) - the employees are so outrageously fun to play with - who cares that I am in my mid-30s! I went to every demonstration table and had them draw something with our names and Hamleys's, or I threw and bounced a big ball with an employee, then had lots of fun in the electronics department learning to play a video game - then we made friends with an employee who when he found out it was my son's birthday - well he was extra friendly!! He had my son rolling on the floor with laughter and giggles....and that is our impression of and experience with Hamleys. After reaching the top floor and finishing filling our baskets with Legos, we stopped at the caf&eacute; and sat by the window over looking a grey and wintery cold day...looking at roof tops and just relaxing and enjoying what I saw! (We went back to Hamleys the next day because son forgot to get one more thing with the tiny bit of money he had left over from his birthday; and our friends we made there remembered us and the fun began all over again!) After our trip to Hamleys we were exhausted, but it was too early to call it a day - so off to the movie theater around the corner. We saw Harry Potter - and I like the choice of popcorn - sweet or salted! I chose what was familiar - salted. It was great - a clean theater, lots of college age people that were funny with their silliness, and we loved the movie. After the movie we went to Caf&eacute; Uno for an Italian dinner. It was yummy..... all this time I forgot to mention our very first dinner in London - it was at the Malabar Junction on Great Russell Street, and it became my son's favorite - best Indian food....and I had a Pimms cup which I felt silly with this cup full of cucumber, fruit, and umbrellas, but it tasted yummy....I had been looking forward to experiencing a Pimms in London, though it seems more of a summer cocktail than winter. <BR>

(Continuation - Part Three)<BR>Next stop Covent Gardens - all kinds of people there! Punk hairdos, tourists, locals, the whole shebang all in one crowded place. Saw some interesting street performers, one with a kazoo that was funny. We went to the Transportation Museum and also bought Underground posters - I happen to already have one from my parents, and the one I bought of course had greyhounds on it! We went into some shops and looked around - found Chinatown. This is such a terrific Chinatown - cleaner than NYC's!!! The pretty store and restaurant fronts trimmed in red - lots of gold - dragons - and I liked that there are no vehicles allowed - just pedestrians. My son liked the little shops with the little knick knacks and gadgets. We ended up having dinner in a very small restaurant per our cab drivers suggestion that was really yummy. There was a table with about 5 or 6 Irishmen drinking, loud and having fun....they were a bit of a hoot, but I expected trouble when they accidentally hit the tiny little waitress in the head with an elbow as they roughhoused each other ..... I thought the table of young Chinese looking businessmen behind me were going to toss them out, so we quickly paid our check and left - with Irishmen in tow, following us...hmmm, they were interesting - well this was enough excitement for the day - now feet are bloody nubs from all of the walking.....so another good soak.<BR><BR>My son also found a game shop that sold the Magic cards he collects - he became a regular as we had to stop there every morning - the employees at the store were also lots of fun too. This shop was right around the corner from the British Museum.

Why do some some women feel flattered and get all mooney (and misinterpret it as a persona compliment/flattery) when a British cab driver calls them "lovey" or "sweetheart," but if I guy does it here he gets lambasted and called a pig?

Stephanie, don't stop now!!! We need more!! Did you ever make it to the Pizza Express near the British Museum?

Stephanie.....<BR><BR><BR>I loved your report.we have been going to London yearly for more years than I care to remember and your report makes it all fresh and new again!!<BR>Thank you over and over again and I know we will see you there someday again!

Onewoman...Maybe it is the English accent-maybe because an English cabbie does it with some sort of grace, whereas the taxi drivers in NY (for example--if they speak English) would say something piggish...Meanwhile-who said they were flattered, maybe they were charmed-maybe they were happy that the cabbie was polite-depends on what you are used to-in NY it is usually just a grunt.

Stephanie, this is so enjoyable, keep telling more! If I can't actually be there,at least I can read about it..the first time we were in London, our cabbie regaled us with stories about his little girls loving the Spice Girls~

<BR><BR>I <BR><BR>Stephanie: In a way, you create your own welcome. Cycling around London, I stop at times for people peering into maps, and it's those people who are having a whale of a time, like your son and you, who get most attention from me.<BR><BR>Pearce: What you've heard about children in pubs is quite right. All the pubs in my notes on pub meals in London welcome children to their lunch and supper areas, though not to bar meals. <BR><BR>I've a note on file for London for children rather younger than your friend, but am taking the liberty of copying it to you by e-mail in case parts interest her. By that age she'll be forming tastes and interests: if you'd like to tell me of any I'll see what London can offer in that field.<BR><BR>Welcome<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR>

Stephanie: I am enjoying your report of London so much. We were there this past June and my son and I almost talk daily about wanting to go back. As we put the Christmas ornaments that I bought in London on the tree last night, it brought back all the great memories.

I am wishing I could take my whole family to London on our next trip...grandboy too! We could show them our favorite spots and discover new ones together..you have made it all fresh and new again, for all of us travelers who may have gotten a litte blase about our trips..Happy Holidays to you and your son.

Stephanie<BR><BR>A delight to see your report. I had been wondering how your trip went. I remember your inquiries. It was great to relive it again.<BR><BR>Sylvia

Do you remember the name of the place in Kew that you had tea? Did you go to Kew Gardens also?<BR>So glad you had fun..when are you coming back?

Stephanie<BR><BR>A pleasure to read your report, you write wonderfully, the excitement really comes through.<BR><BR>So glad you enjoyed London...<BR><BR>Kavey (in London)

Okay, back on line again, thank you all for your responses! So, we have taken our visit to London very seriously - enjoying it so much, the people, even the smells and sounds....We took another long walk - ended back at Trafalgar Square because my son HAD to feed more pigeons. Come to find out (after the fact) they do not approve of pigeon feeding at Trafalgar Square! Well I must look like a professional photographer or just easy to approach because I was taking pictures left and right of couples and families - Meanwhile, my son being the only one in a pack of tourists to have biscuits to feed the pigeons - well, needless to say he must be a part of a lot of family vacation photos that day. <BR><BR>Grabbed another cab and went to the London Dungeons for my son - something he would enjoy! It was very gruesome with Dungeon workers in costume who were very lively and with a really positive and upbeat attitude discussed the instruments of torture - okay I am feeling a little lightheaded - it was stuffy, stale and then the stories! AHHHHHHH!!!!!! So, I was relieved to get out of there when we did - fresh crisp cold air to bring us back to normal! Then I looked around, not the best area of London - looked a bit seedy - looked around some more - no cabs!! Warnings of Pick Pockets everywhere - now I am very nervous.....but I grabbed kiddo and started moving - and was so relieved - there we were all along right there at the Underground station with cabs..... <BR><BR>Next trip - off to the Tower of London - not gruesome - sad about certain beheadings and assassinations, interested in the history as I have read so many books where the queen and her children were locked away in the Tower.....or the many traitors, etc.....so I was really interested in everything about it. We got our picture taken with a large stuffed teddy bear dressed as a Beefeater - then took off to find a real one! Not settling for anything but the real thing. Found ‘em surrounded by American Tourists - - when it was our turn they started (Beefeaters) to tease my pale, blonde son because he was trying to convince them he was from Florida....this was a common statement, when he says he is from Florida, they state "we thought Florida was sunny, you are too pale....." I loved the walk through the White Tower because it had so many pieces of armor, weapons, portraits, etc. - and my son and I loved the story about the Welsh prisoner of great girth who tried to escape, but because of his size he broke his rope and plummeted to his death - hitting his head straight into his body making him bizarre looking when they found him - yuch, but still interesting! We ended the tour through the Tower with a walk around the high wall where we saw the Tower Bridge in the Sunset all lit up just like a bridge out of a fairytale - very pretty!!! A MUST SEE!!!!!<BR><BR>I had plans to eat at Pizza Express that evening, it was right around the corner from where we were, right near the Wagamamas - but we were so exhausted we ended up eating in our room and watching British television - okay what a hoot!!!! My son and I were in hysterics - when we saw a new talk show (spelling?) called Sanjeev (Indian talk show) - it was just too funny....and we saw Rex the Runt and loved that too..... Zach (my son) and I still repeat funny lines to each other from some of the shows we watched that night - wish we got to see them here! (To be continued)

Stephanie,<BR>It's an absolute delight to read your trip report -- thank you so much! It reminds me of my times in London, and your enthusiasm just puts a big smile on my face!

Stephanie. Glad that you enjoyed our city. Come back soon.

What a nice report. I always think you get what you expect. You expected to find a fascinating city and friendly people and you found them You are a good ambassador for your country.

I will end my report with these last posts - and I have to say I look forward to a warmer weather trip in England, so I can see more flowers and greenery and enjoy longer days. I envy those with employment opportunities that move to London - if I had that offer I would be gone the next day! <BR><BR>We spent our last day with a friend, a journalist in London, that we were able to meet with - I had not seen her in over 20 years! We all bundled up and headed for Camden Market. It was on a<BR>Friday so there were not too many crowds. We went from stall to stall and little shops, all full of very interesting and sometimes very strange/unique items! In one store I was tempted to get my hair woven into Fuschia dreadlocks and buy a silver outfit that looked like something Judy Jetson would wear! My son loved this area - he saw girls in their outlandish clothes with fun colored and spiked hair - or some with hardly any hair and hardly any clothes! We did a little souvenir shopping for friends in USA. My son wanted fish and chips, so we asked a shop owner along the way and a woman overheard our question and walked us to the best little fish & chips place - it was hidden on a small side street and I could kick myself for not jotting down the name - but it is<BR>one of VERY few in that area....in a red front, lots of windows. The people in the restaurant were terrific, that is the people who worked there along with other diners (locals)! They took<BR>pictures of us being silly and pigging out on our HUGE orders of fish! I think we sat there for a good 90 minutes! I am thankful to such a lady who would walk us “strange” people to this fantastic little place! It was very cold when we got outside and the rush hour was beginning and we had a play to catch! Good byes to friend after a frantic search for an available taxi....and off to Mamma Mia! <BR><BR>

Mamma Mia was really fun and silly.... and my son, who loves when I play my Abba cd in the car, definitely enjoyed it! We were surrounded by an older crowd, a lot of Germans, and they<BR>were just as funny as the show - their enthusiasm made you really get into wanting to sing along or tap your feet, etc. At the end of the show, everyone let loose and danced and sang and clapped to the music and songs, I think that was my favorite part! It was not a play for the serious!! Just perfect for not so serious people, like my son and I. After the play we took pictures of a pub - I believe it was called the Three Greyhounds - Greyhounds, of course - and then walked back to our hotel. We ate at the Malabar Junction again and had an even better time there than the first! <BR><BR>Went back to the hotel, slept, and got up to head sadly home...............our driver up and early waiting for us - we chatted through the hour long - maybe 45 minute drive to Gatwick.....<BR><BR>Great Russell Street was where we stayed - a 4 star hotel - very business oriented, not a touristy hotel by any means, but they treated us like a Queen and Prince - I did not run into one single unhelpful or unpleasant or dissatisfied employee - they all acted like they were happy to see me and my son, and they went even to the extra length of making us at home by getting Zach a Black Cab and Double Decker Bus toy for his birthday and arranging for the tickets to Mamma Mia. From the day I made the reservations till the day we left, I was satisfied with my choice of hotels. It was small, in a red brick building that I was told was once a place where they had Union meetings. It was within walking distance of so much - just perfect for us - and we were on a floor that was extra quiet and pleasant - never really running into any one in the halls....everyone<BR>was working or at meetings. I would definitely stay there again! Their smiling faces and warmth was what began a terrific vacation.

Just great!! Please,take another trip soon, so we can read about it! Your reports have a great way of bringing the reader along with you...London sounds quite fun!Where do you think you would like to go next, besides back to London?M

Stephanie, What is the name of the hotel you stayed at? <BR><BR>Thanks for a great report!<BR><BR>linda

I live in London and have just seen it through your eyes. Suddenly I'm much happier to be here..! Thanks!

Stephanie,how did you get the tickets for Mama Mia? and how far in advance? Thank you.M

The hotel arranged for the purchase of our tickets to see Mamma Mia...I called them 3 weeks before we arrived, and they had the tickets waiting for us when we checked in...it was wonderfully simple. The hotel was called the Gt. Russell Street Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN, UK. <BR>Tel: +44 (0) 20 7347 1000 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7347 1001. The hotel was not inexpensive, but worth every dime spent.<BR><BR>If it is possible, and all falls in place again, I would love to plan to be in London in late May - early June.

TOPPING for Stephanie~

Hi all,<BR><BR>I just wanted you all to know that I was taken on a trip to Europe when I was 10 (I'm 35 now), and I still remember some of the amazing things we did and wonderful places we saw. If you're wondering whether your child would appreciate the trip, just do it! It could give him/her a perspective on the world that will stay with them their entire life.