Day 3 - London

We awoke bright and early and were headed out the door first thing toward Westminster Abbey.
On our way (aboard a double decker) we saw much of the Kensington area including Buckingham Palace.  (We later learned that Royal baby Archie was born and announced when we were nearby.) So cool!

First stop was Westminster Abbey and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  Jon and I have been to Westminster before, so I was slightly hesitant to visit again, but I'm so glad we did.  No photos were allowed inside, so I can't illustrate it here, but the centuries of British history of The Crown and of England's most elite, are entrenched throughout.  I think I could tour it again and again and not take it all in. We spent so long at W.A. that we were way behind on our sightseeing schedule when we finished around 2:30.  We left and walked to Trafalgar Square and bought sandwiches, crisps, and bottled water for lunch.  A picnic was high on Henry's must-do list, so this checked that box :)

After lunch we walked to Covent Gardens (through a massive vintage market) to visit a place on my list, Deciem.  While I shopped, my family watched a street performer and generally wandered around enjoying the sights.  Afterwards we walked to the Tin Tin store, but, sadly found it closed for the day.  Moving on we wandered Soho, Leiester and Picadilly (basically Times Square) and then caught the bus to The Victoria and Albert Museum.  This is a huge museum so Havah had picked a few things that she especially wanted to see; DaVinci's notebook, a mask from Lion King Broadway, an ancient mechanical Tiger toy, and something else I'm forgetting :| Long story short, the museum was closing when we arrived, and we were only able to see the notebook before getting shooed out.  Ugh. Jumping on the tube, we headed toward King's College to eat dinner at the famous Cheshire Cheese.  You guys, it was closed too.  :|  Fortunately, our tour book saved the day by recommended the nearby Old Bank of England, which was quite delicious.  I enjoyed the Steak and ale pie, Jon and Havah the 3 birds pie and Henry a bacon burger.  Afterwards we headed back to The Cherry Court to work on a very organized sightseeing plan for tomorrow... ;)

entertained on the tube

the cloisters at W.A. 

Big Ben, currently under a 4 year renovation

the queue outside of Westminster Abbey

Parliament

Westminster Abbey

Trafalgar Square

Chinatown

the queue outside the Deciem store

lunch ;)

Victoria and Albert Museum

the original Twinings shop

The Old Bank of England

DaVinci's notebook