So, back at work after long weekend in London. I had a great time! It seems a fab place to holiday, but I don't think I'd want to live there permanently. Too big for me. I'm a small city girl ;)
Saturday
Hung out with Jj as the boys were out playing with Tanks and Guns. We bought tickets (and pizza) in Leicester Square at one of the many "official 1/2 price tickets" stands. Then toodled/tubed off to watch the matinee performance of Wicked.
It was soooo good. Elphaba lost her voice a bit in the second act, but she was still super fabulous. The sets were gorgeous! The costumes were covetable and the music, which I had never heard before (I've been avoiding it on youtube), was catchy and fun. I think I need the soundtrack. As it is, I shall just have to appease myself with the programme. Also great: the dances and aerial work.
After the show we met up with drowninghail and his fancy at Harrods. Jj and I both bought incredibly expensive ice-cream/gelato sundays that we could not finish. They were beautiful and I forgot to take photos of them! However, I did remember later and took one of Fancy and Drowninghail's. We wandered around a bit but did not explore the whole store. It is bigger than Buckingham Palace (or so Jj told me).
Went back to Jj & G's place and where Jj cooked me dinner. Omnomnom. We talked muchly. Ok, I probably definitely talked more, but still. The boys came home and there was more talking, some picture viewing and then bedtime.
Sunday
Jj and I got up and out of the house before the boys even stirred. We went and ate much at the Bricklane market. So much good food! We looked at sellables and a fun exhibition put on by design students, before wandering back to pick up the boys and head to Camden markets.
Camden is fun. I didn't buy or try any clothes on as I tried something at the Brick Lane market and it was too small and left me with a bad taste for clothes buying. Beau and I did go to the Original Doc Marten's store though and we both bought Docs. Not boots or even lace-ups though. Mine are black, t-bar fronts and mid-heeled. Beau's are brown loafers (is that the right word for slip-ons?). I have taken many photos of them. I love mine because they are Docs, but I can wear them to work with a skirt/shorts. They are not the prettiest little shoes ever, but I like how they make me feel a bit subversive ;)
We met up with Drowninghail and a bunch of his friends and had dinner. Jj, G, Beau and I then headed home, watched silly movies (St Trinian's!?) and ate fudge and chocolate. Full bellies!
Monday
Jj and G had to go to work, but we didn't! We went on an open-topped bus tour of London. Most fun. There were several different routes that they offered and you could hop on and off any of them. IMHO the real-life tour guides are about a million times more entertaining than listening to a recording. One route offered real guides. I love guides <3
The tour bus was great! We also had fish and chips at the Sherlock Holmes pub. Beau and I have developed into Sherlockians since readinging Volume 1 of the collected tales of Sherlock Holmes. It was pretty silly, but still fun looking at Sherlock Holmes' study.
We didn't get off the bus and have a closer look at many places as my feet were a bit sore from new shoes (d'oh!) and it was raining. Also, there were lots of places to look at and I didn't want to leave the tour guide. Also didn't take many photos once the rain started.
We spent the latter part of the afternoon at Madame Tussaud's. It was fun and we got a few good photos. There were heaps of people there though! I was disappointed as the posters etc showed a Pirates of the Carribean display, but there wasn't one! Also, all the pics Beau took of me with Johnny Depp were blurry. Lame.
We were both totally disinterested in the sports area! lol. We enjoyed the Chamber of Horrors, although the suspense and jumpiness made me wonder why I'd been to go in. It is a dark and smoky path that leads through wax figures and live actors that swipe and run and climb all around you. Just got goosebumps writing about it. Brrr. There were also creepy noises. bRrr!Beau and I wouldn't rush back there in a hurry, but we both thought it'd be interesting to go again in like 10 years and when they had changed it all around.
I really liked the display on the history of Madame Tussaud's (started prior to the French revolution, she even took death masks of people who were executed!) and how they make the figures now. They use Beyonce as their example.
We met Jj and G for dinner afterwards. Eat and 2 Veg. It was vegetarian restaurant and quite nice. Things were a bit bland though. They have quite a lot of fake meat there.
Tuesday
We had to catch a plane back to Ireland in the afternoon and planned to hit the British museum. However, drowninghail got back to us with the offer of a tour of Parliament/Westminster palace. We did not turn him down. A friend of Fancy's had organised the tour, but some people had pulled out so there were spaces for us. It was very cool. Lots of neat paintings and just altogether quite beautiful. The golden throne in the House of Lords is incredible! Once again we had a fab tour guide. We weren't allowed to take photos, except in the Westminster Hall, so I bought a pack of postcards. Not sure if I can bring myself to send them or not. Hmmm.
After the tour, we caught tube, train and plane to get home. In London it was grey and rainy. In Ireland it was fine and sunny. Nice to be back ;)
Thoughts:
I love guides (I think this goes along with my guide of instructors).
Wicked was fabulous, but it also broke my heart. It made me want more singing and dancing lessons. I would love to be in a show like that, but I will never be that good.
I feel fat after not fitting that dress. I am still on a BMI of 25-26. Overweight. Sadness.
I am really looking forward to going to London again, the week after next. We will mainly be there for a wedding, but will have at least 1 day free for sight-seeing. British Museum here we come (also want Taite modern and National Gallery among others)!