April 17th

April 17th

Day 4

Friday

I was happy to have a day off from blogging, but my excuse for not blogging was that I took my migraine meds and then a melatonin and by the time I got through uploading those pictures I was so ready for bed.  Here's an account of Friday's outings.  We started our day off right by sleeping in - yes vacation!  Then we got up and headed to Buckingham Palace to take pictures.  Jen had this all planned out, she was especially excited to see the guards and wanted desperately to get her picture with one.  You can't get your picture with a guard at the Palace, but you can get one on some random side street near St. James' Palace, as Jen researched on Thursday night whilst I was passed out.

In front of Buckingham Palace

  

Kollwitz sisters.  This is my "it's really cold out" face.

  

Buckingham Palace

I love this one.

Then we walked down the street a bit to where Jen thought there would be guards for her to get a picture with.  There were two but they were behind a gate thing.  We got pictures though, and a video.  Jen was really excited.  

  

Pink taxi.  Guard #1

Then we walked to the spot where she had read about where you can get a picture with one, but there weren't any on duty.  See pic below.  After that we walked to Trafalgar Square to go to the National Gallery.  

  

Tulips.  St. James's Palace.

  

No guards here.  Sorry Jen.  Me trying to slyly point out a tiny car.  There was a man in it.

  

Trafalgar Square.

  

National Gallery.  Jen: "Look!  Pet the lion!" 

  

Jen being a tourist.  The famous archway.  Only the Queen can go through the middle one.

  

Trafalgar Square.  I swear, we waited so long for the wind to pick up so Jen could take this picture.

On our way to find a bus that was headed in the right direction we came upon a large crowd of people and then Jen realized why.  There were guards on horseback.  Intense.  After getting her picture we got on the tube and headed to King's Cross Station to check out Jen's final tourist-y desire: Harry Potter's Platform 9 3/4.  I have to admit, I was not thrilled about this, but it was pretty cute when we saw it.  

SO HAPPY.  We found guards on horses.

I was getting excited about tonight...

  

There was construction but we found it anyway.

  

Jen is so happy.  I'm kind of making fun...

  

King's Cross Station.

  

King's Cross.

  

We took the bus back to the halls to get ready for dinner and the show.  Jen climbed the stairs so she could say she rode on top of a double decker bus :)

After we got back and changed into our theatre-going attire, we went to a last minute dinner at Prezzo which was awful.  Can I please just get some DECENT Italian food here?  It's killin' me.  Then off to the theatre we go.  We saw, in case you hadn't caught on, Billy Elliot the musical at Victoria Palace Theater.

  

Yes.  West End theatre.  Gotta love it.

  

The first pic you can actually see the theatre (gorgeous) the second pic you can actually see me.

  

Theatre go-ers.

  

I look really tired.  Outside the Victoria Palace Theatre.

The show was good, and I was particularly impressed with the set and lighting design.  Elton John had done the music, which I also enjoyed.  It's quite a story.  Jen will forever tease me because I cried during the dead mother scene, which is the cheesiest part of the whole show.  Elton John struck a chord and I miss my mom, okay?  Sue me.  I'm not made of stone.  

  

Heels.  Boot.

There ya go, Gram.  Finally wearing the heels you love!