3rd Time is a Charm

Monday here and we awoke with no special agenda, but to think about packing up for tomorrow's return home.  The first thing Sam said was, since we have all day, maybe we should try Kensington Palace again!!  YIPPEE!!

So we headed out to Victoria Station and bought tickets for an all day bus pass.  We got on the correct bus to Kensington High Street. 

Here's the palace again with me in front of it

 

This is where there is a display of 20 of Princess Diana's dresses.  Here are a couple of pictures - I could only take nonflash pictures, so they aren't the best, but you get the idea! 

 

A really good portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

 

This palace has housed many Royal families  - Queen Victoria was born here and, of course, this was Princess Diana's home.  It's a beautiful old palace and I enjoyed the tour - Sam enjoyed waiting outside and reading the paper :)

 

We left the Palace and headed out of Kensington Gardens to find the bus to continue on our way.  On the way out of the Gardens I saw this gate which is to be used when the big gates are closed.  I thought it would make a cool picture with Sam inside.  So he went through and....

 

when he went to turn the stile around, he couldn't get out.  We looked at each other and I started laughing - I got him into this predicament and he couldn't get out.  So....he gave me the bag and he was going to climb out (I was watching to see if the police were around for fear he would get into trouble!!).  Along came a lovely English gentleman, who figured out how to swing the big gate so he could get out.  He was smiling really big as he walked off and we were like a couple of guilty teenagers - in fact I was laughing so hard I forgot to take pictures of him getting out!! 

I had been wanting to see the first greeting card - I read about it on the internet and it was supposed to be in the British Museum, but they told me it was sent to the Library.  So I inquired, received a pass, but they couldn't find it.  Oh, well, they said I could search online and maybe find it.   Another time.

But we had fun riding the double decker buses.  You get three of them in one of the small streets and it's pretty hairy!!  Pedestrians cross in front of the buses without a thought and when you are sitting on top and looking down....well, it's interesting to say the least.

 

WATCH OUT!!

 

 

While we were eating lunch at the Library, I happened to check my pedometer - we made 100 miles walking since Berlin!

 

From here we caught a bus south as we wanted to see 10 Downing Street.  There's quite a rowe right now with the Prime Minister at the center of the storm, so we wanted to say we saw 10 Downing Street. 

 

It's really rather obscure and quite difficult to find, but we did - and took pictures of news reporters waiting for anything to happen :)

 

Of course it's well guarded!

 

Here is the Horse Guards - it's right next to 10 Downing Street

 

This is where they do the Trooping of the Guards which is done in honor of the Queen's Birthday and will take place on Saturday, June 13th. Her actual birthday is in April, but weather.....well, better to count on June!!  Always nice to celebrate your birthday more than once!!

We got off the bus in Trafalagar Square and walked through the Admirality Arch

From here you  can walk down The Mall and Buckingham Palace is at the other end.  The Union Jacks are flying all along the route.  Very pretty!

 

Here were some pelicans resting on a rock in the middle of St. James Park with Buckingham Palace in the background

At first I thought they were statues - we've seen a few of those, but they soon moved - except the one

Lots of security in London and we noticed the "bobbies" go out in pairs - can't resist pictures of them with their cute little hats!!

 

Oops one more picture of Big Ben

 

We stayed very close to Victoria Station - here's a  view of what we think is the main entrance.

 

Now I'm off to pack up!!

Comments

[Heidi Douglass]

Well it looks like you got to see everything you wanted to - now on to reality :-) Enjoy your last night!! We'll see ya on the flip side :-)

Love Ya
Heidi

[Jan]

Hi Heiders

Yep we saw everything and more - we are content with that!!

See you soon and can't wait!!

Love you

Mom and Dad

[Kathy Kemper]

Hi Jan,
Check out this website... http://www.lifewithlindalou.blogspot.com/

This is Linda formally with SU. She's in London too. Don't know if the timing is the same, but wouldn't that be something to run into each other there!

Travel safe and I'll see you soon! Kathy

[Dan F]

Hey - you DO sound like a couple of teenagers....would have loved to have been there to watch Dad climb out of the gates. I bet you have a million more stories! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night in Portland! Love you, and travel safe. Dan

[Char Wilson]

I cracked up over Sam getting stuck inside the gates. I know if that had happened to David, just so I could get a photo op...I would have been in tears laughing.

Glad he was able to get out.

Can't wait to hear all about your wonderful trip.

Hugs,
Char