Beautiful sunny day again... Breakfast at EAT. I just love the quick breakfast places here. We had a warm breakfast muffin. Mmmm...
Today we go to the Victoria & Albert Museum. It is in a neighbourhood that is quite a distance. Dave has the bright idea to walk it for two reasons: 1. there are so many tourists, the tube will be packed and 2. we get to see more by walking. I agree. I will pay for this in pain later...
We walked Picadilly, through the edge of Green Park, and just happen upon Buckingham Palace at the time of the changing of the guard! What luck. What crowds! Jeez...I had to hold the camera above my head to get any pictures. We didn't stick around for the whole thing.
Walk along the palace property to the Wellington Arch, past Harrod's and a large Catholic Church - the Brompton Oratory. Lots of pictures to take. A very different type of neighbourhood from where we are staying - Bloomsbury. More wealthy.
Get to the V&A. It is HUGE!!! and great! Looked at Fashion, Jewellery, Photography, and the castings gallery. I just can't convey how packed this place is and how large it is. Nothing here in the US compares. The Medieval galleries are being refurbished to be opened at the end of the year. Note to return for that... Relaxed in the courtyard. It is so nice and sunny, kids in the wading pool and people relaxing and noshing on the grass...Perfect.
Go to Harrod's to get Millie's gift. I have NEVER seen so many high priced vehicles in one day - Bentley after Bentley, Lotus, Rolls Royce, you name it. The Londoners in this area are doing very well. Harrod's is a mixed bag. the elevator and the escalator areas are stunning. The show floors, eh. (we find out later that we missed the big deal - the food hall. Duh.) The pet boutique is high priced but Dave finds an affordable dinosaur made in the UK for Millie. He is underwhelmed, but rescinds that once Millie gets her gift and loves it. (quote before: "It's just the same old stuff". quote after: "Harrod's is great")
Wander back "home" through chi-chi areas and bottom right corner of Hyde Park. Lots of people out in the parks and lots of flowers to look at.
Get back to Russell Square. I need to sit. Near the exit, people are gathered and filming something very interesting...a....squirrel! WHAT?!?!?! It's just a squirrel! What the heck? Oh well, they are probably Italian tourists.
Dinner- fish & chips at The Swan. Mmmmm...
We walk off dinner in the area above our neighbourhood...
Happen upon a St. Andrew's gardens - WEIRD... There are many headstones propped up in a line against a bordering apartments building. More headstones in piles behind a fencing. The tombs in this park are in horrendous shape. But the gardens are meticulous. Never saw anything like it. And at the far end are children playing football. Eerie.
back at the hotel there is a wedding party. We are too pooped to crash it. My whole lower body is in pain from all the walking. I do not dare calculate the mileage walked. My lower back and down literally throbs with pain. I watch my leg vibrate from the pain. I don't know how I fall asleep, but eventually I do...
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