Cheerio from London

We never had a dull moment exploring this amazing city. London is full of life, laughter, food and history. While we were there London's weather was at it's hottest in over 16 years. No worries. That didn't stop us from having the time of our lives. We got sunburned, stayed hydrated and enjoyed every minute of it.

Here is a quick play-by-play of London. I decided to spare you most of the silly little details I wrote down.

Day 1: Hopped on a plane • Flight delayed • Arrived in England around 11:00 am • Took the Heathrow Express into London Paddington Station • Felt like we stepped into a Harry Potter movie • Took a cab to our hotel (club quarters) • Loved the taxi’s old fashion look • Riding along the roads took some getting used to • Double decker red bus tour • Great over view of London • Dinner at Pizza Express • Matt got pepperoni pizza and I got lasagna • Back to the hotel around 9pm • Sun was still out

Day 2: Westminster Abbey • Incredible detail in the architecture of the building • Winston Churchill Bunker Museum • Saw where the prime minister lives • Trafalgar square • National Gallery • Leicester Square • Covent Garden • Soho • Piccadilly Circus • Regent Street • Love Never Dies (sequel to Phantom of the Opera) • Mexican for dinner •A lot of walking • My feet hurt at the end of the day

Day 3: St. Paul’s Cathedral • Tower of London • British library • National Museum • More walking • Feet hurt • Sunburned • Millennium Bridge • Fish and Chips • Walked along the south bank to the London Eye • Gorgeous walk • 30 minute ride on the London Eye • Beautiful views of the city • Called it a night

Day 4: Portobello Road Market • Another HOT day • Notting Hill • Lunch on Westbourne Grove • Walked around Kensington Gardens • Hyde Park • Princess Diana Memorial Fountain • Harrods • Italian restaurant for dinner • Piccadilly Circus to buy souvenirs and see square at night (similar to Times Square but nowhere near as dramatic)

Day 5: Buckingham palace • Hard Rock Café • Packed up and took a flight to Sweden • Arrived in Stockholm later that night • Checked into our hotel (Sheraton) • Right on the water • Beautiful view of the city

Some interesting tidbits about England according to me....

· instead of the sign saying restroom or bathroom it says toilets

· instead of saying "I'm going to the bathroom" they say "I'm off to the loo"

· the subway is called the tube

· they say "mind the gap" instead of "watch your step" when getting off the tube

· the sun said hello at 5 am

· the sun didn't start to set until after 9 pm

· there are cobble stone streets everywhere. I love the look of them but they hurt my feet horribly.

· they kindly leave reminders on the streets that warn you which way to look when crossing. Look left. Look right. It really is that confusing for tourists.