Wow, our second full day in London - if you can count yesterday which was rather sleep-deprived. Our flight was on-time and uneventful - though I couldn't seem to sleep. Got our Oyster cards at the airport tube station (5 pounds, exact change - but change and info booth nearby). Rode the tube to High Street Kensington (with only minor issues in transfer at Earl's Court
) We walked around High Street Kensington (area around our hotel) while we waited for our room to be ready (got into LHR at 6:25am). Wandered through Holland Park (actually thought it was Kensington Gardens - we were sleep deprived and a little confused
). Went back to the hotel around 1:00 to check in - the Deluxe Double turned out to be a little cramped for our family of 3, so "upgraded" to a Family Suite - basically the double with enough room for a cot. Oh well, at least we're not tripping over each other and the suitcases. Had a nap for a couple (or 3) hours. Finally got up and went for another walk - this time in Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park - which was actually right across the street from our hotel! oops. Then dinner (at a very SLOW) french restaurant. I understand it's a little different over here - people spend a lot more time over meals than we do in North America - however when you've had 3 hours sleep and a cranky 8yo, the food, the bill and goodbye would be great!
That said we were back and in bed around 10pm local time. DH woke up at 06:00 and said "we should get up". I laughed and we all went back to sleep until 9:15 - so much for being at the tower by 10!
Anyway, got up and dressed, had our continental breakfast in the hotel and headed for the tube. Went to the Tower of London. Great day - perfect weather - overcast so not unbearably hot - but still quite warm. Spent a couple of hours doing the touristy thing there, then got on the tube to go to the Eye. Now I have to say, going on the Eye is not my idea. DH and DD thought it was a great idea though - right up until they saw the lines!!!
So, we've left that for another day (read probably never, at least on this trip). After all the walking of the day DD was about ready for a meltdown. But after a 99p (soft icecream cone with a flake stuck in it - cost 2 pounds though, not 99p) she felt restored enough to head back to the underground and the hotel. Another wrong tube later, we finally made it back. Got changed and headed out for another nice dinner - this time Italian, also near the hotel, also rather long - I'm sensing a pattern. Then back to the hotel and trying to get everyone to sleep DD finally crashed, but DH and I having trouble sleeping - being in a rather busy area can have it's drawbacks - like street noise. And did I mention no air-conditioning? Well, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum tomorrow.
