So we’ve been in London for, like, a long time now. Actually only about a week. But it’s been so jam-packed, and so different from itself at some points, that it’s getting hard to actually remember everything we’ve done so far!
Must be time to put it all down before we forget completely. I feel like our time has been divided into three parts: comfortable and exciting, then sweltering but still fun. Lastly bearable again, but we’re getting anxious to be home! So let’s start at the very beginning. (“A very good place to start.” Oh wait, the Sound of Music was Salzburg. Sorry.)
We left Oxford in the pouring rain. (And actually Bill had to run an hour to the station soaking wet because we only had enough cash for 3 bus tickets. Our hero!) We layered our sweatshirts and rain jackets and walked through the bustling streets of the big city (and it feels big!) to the nearest reasonably priced restaurant. There we waited out the heaviest of the rain before paying a quick call on Sherlock Holmes. The museum had a high price of admission and a long queue, so we just left a message for the detective at 221b Baker St. with the Constable.
It felt good to arrive at our last Airbnb of the year and settle in one last time! Although, this one is a bit of an adventure. We have decided to think of it as camping. We “shower” with a pitcher in the tub, gently usher out the frequently visiting cat (whom we have named The Borg), and walk sideways around the tightly packed furniture which has been upholstered with a stapler.
But we’re here to see the city, right?! So first day we tried the British Museum, whose atrium is spectacular! But it was so packed with people that we were constantly jockeyed around and couldn’t read any of the information. Plus, they had run out of children’s guides(!).
So we headed out to take our chances on the streets. What we do best! Wandering through neighborhoods playgrounds to massive Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens was much more up our alley.
We tried the tourist thing again on Sunday, heading to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards. Knowing that the actual palace was going to be a zoo, we opted to watch the mounted guards down the road instead. We popped in to peek at the palace an hour after the changing ceremony, and we were able to elbow our way through to try to spy the Queen peeking through the drapes. (No such luck.)
Then we happened upon a 7-story toy store in the middle of a street fair. There were many temptations, but we escaped having only purchased some eclairs and two journals. Whew!
The last day of forecasted good weather, we headed to Greenwich, where there are several good big free museums and a large park dating from Henry VIII’s time. In fact, the Queen’s House there is where Elizabeth I was born! And the beautiful spiral staircase has no central support. So cool!
We also got to step over the Prime Meridian, see the clock keeping Greenwich Mean Time, and watch the ball drop. (No, not for New Year’s. The Royal Observatory has a big red ball on top so ships in the Thames can set their chronometers to correct GMT. It rises at 12:55 every day, and drops exactly at 13:00.)
So thankful our first couple days were so pleasant! The next few were forecasted to be scorchers, and they did not disappoint. Stay tuned for Part II!
Magrilless 
Well done!