This past year, my husband and I finally got to take our first big vacation. Let me tell you – it was long overdue and just amazing! This was for our anniversary and we brought his son with us – I felt so spoiled with my two men with me!

Day 1 was interesting, learning the tube system and all. By the end of the trip I was having dreams where a loop of ‘Mind the Gap’ played endlessly in the background. We found a few apps quite helpful in this regard, but keep in mind, that when you go underground, you lose your signal, so be sure and take a snap of it before heading downstairs to catch your ride.

Turns out we were staying in the posh part of town – it was just gorgeous! Take a look at our home away…

 

 

 

 

Small, but just right! Though I had a few choice words for the washing facilities…

         

Someone, who shall remain nameless, set the machine to 9 hours drying time.  Why I was so determined to do laundry on day 1 though, is beyond me!

Once that was all settled – it was time to get our bearings.  We popped into the phone store and picked up a few sim cards for our phones, found the local Tesco, and then we got on to proper priorities – a pint of heavy and some steak pies…not that we needed them!

We found a few shops along the way…and then crashed out in anticipation of day 2…

 

Day 2 was like Mr. Dundee’s walkabout – and that’s what’s so great about London.  You can walk everywhere – loved it!  We were on a mission to find a skate shop for the boy, and just wander a bit.  I was just along for the ride that day, but let me tell you – the gardens were something else!

I was in heaven…

 

 

Look at those topiaries….finally, topiaries done right!

 

Ivy walls are most certainly not permitted where we live.  Well, you can have an ivy wall, but property insurance will certainly be a challenge.  So remember that pint of heavy?  Well, my husband was still waiting…surely we will find it at Portobello Market….

It was mobbed…making it pretty hard to take many pics.  I was so wonderful though – and I would certainly recommend it, especially if you plan to do any cooking while in London.  In a perfect world, I would be there every week, getting my groceries, and flowers, and I would be getting into trouble no doubt.  Just watch your pockets, and stay alert – it is a total sensory experience, with the street music, and food from all over.  That’s it – I need to go back…right now!

 

Well the rains came, the fish and chips were eaten, the shopping was done…

…and then we stumbled across this little park

 

 

and I found the tree of my dreams….sorry honey!

 

London is just so green and beautiful.  It seems everywhere you go there are parks.  It was such a special treat for us San Diegans.  The green thumbs in me were just itching to get dirty!

We ended the day in Kensington Gardens, here is a picture that we took at dusk…

My pictures in no way do this beautiful city justice – you will just have to go see it for yourself.  In the meantime, I will end the post with a professional photo of Kensington Gardens….

 

Did I mention that I just love London – you really need to visit!  We were nearly ready for a proper, ‘touristy’ day out…..tomorrow is all about the dark tower…..