Wednesday was a day of exploration - flying solo. The rest of the gang went to Stonehenge and Bath for the day - I took off, and I mean took off...8:30 and out the door down Gloucester Road to pick up a cup of coffee, and walk straight up to Kensington Gardens, past Kensington Palace through the park into Hyde Park. It was a cloudy crisp morning, but I was energized by the freedom to do my own thing. I took my old walking route to work, passed the cavalry barrocks and arrived across from the RTYC - had to pause a moment for reflection, but didn't dare go in - not sure my dingy boots specked with mud would be appropriate. I walked down to Harvey Nichols to take a few photos of the window displays - so cool. All of the snow scapes were built of recycled materials, stunning. I truly felt back at home when a random Brit walked up and said "Excuse me miss, is that Harrod's?" (he was pointing across the street to the Mandrin Hotel...nice guess though...) I gave him proper instructions to turn around and walk back toward Burberry and to the left...can't miss it.
Back into Hyde Park I went, setting out to walk around the perimeter and up to Speakers' Corner. I stumbled into a few special surprises as well - Winter Wonderland and... THE HOGWART'S EXPRESS! (at least I think I found it). Be jealous.
Winter Wonderland reminded me of a creepy carnival from an RL Stine book...quiet but a few scant visitors beginning to show their faces and rides going through their test runs...I made my way to Speakers Corner where, as I anticipated, it was dead silent. I crossed past Marble Arch and onto Oxford Street - Primark for tights!! The long anticipated shopping day...I made quite the haul, and was proud of myself for holding back - not due to the credit card bill but for lack of space in the suitcase :( I did however manage to grab a new pair of boots and some Christmas crackers to share with the family on Christmas day. I traveled down the rest of the street just wandering, not having a plan or exact idea where I was going. Just a hunch and idea of where I wanted to end up. Made my way into a few shoppes, and found the Carnaby Street hideaway - where Johnny Cupcakes London was hiding! Hemley's toystore also called for a visit, but was a madhouse so I quickly departed. Down the way I found Whittard's of Chelsea! Best little tea & hot drinking chocolate mixes and lots of free samples. Dreamtime is a favorite. Down into Picadilly Circus I walked where I went into Lillywhites, where you can find any sports apparel you may need. I was on the search for Rugby - couldn't find it...seriously?! Sorry Mike!
After 5-6 hours of strolling about I was a bit chilled and my shoulder was aching from that Primark bag of goodies. I hopped on the Picadilly line back to the hostel for some sweet potato soup. There was still more time to explore! I went back to Harrod's for a second time to take a stroll through the food hall, just to gaze and gawk at the incredible displays. I made it back to the PC World store to exchange my mom's camera card (they gave me the incorrect size) and met a boy who graduated from Richmond same year as I did - small world. To cap off the evening alone, I had to go to Whole Foods a second time for some snacks and a Firefly juice, so delicious. I had to take a turn around the corner to Cafe Nero for Haley :) and grabbed a delicious caffe americano while I was there.
I met back up with Mom, Britty and Aunt CC at the hostel before we headed out to more carols at the Royal Albert Hall again - tonight was HOT, but the carols were so much fun. There were sing-songs, dancing and laughter. After the show I went to meet Shamrocker friends, Kim and Luke, at Builder's Arms, praying for Pimm's Winter Cup - those fibbers had it on their chalkboard menu, but unfortunately were no longer serving it. We had a mulled cider, a mulled wine and a winter brew and then walked through Kensington admiring the Christmas lights in the resident windows along the way. We said our goodbyes/see you soons and it was off to bed before Scotland in the AM!
x Krista
Back into Hyde Park I went, setting out to walk around the perimeter and up to Speakers' Corner. I stumbled into a few special surprises as well - Winter Wonderland and... THE HOGWART'S EXPRESS! (at least I think I found it). Be jealous.
Winter Wonderland reminded me of a creepy carnival from an RL Stine book...quiet but a few scant visitors beginning to show their faces and rides going through their test runs...I made my way to Speakers Corner where, as I anticipated, it was dead silent. I crossed past Marble Arch and onto Oxford Street - Primark for tights!! The long anticipated shopping day...I made quite the haul, and was proud of myself for holding back - not due to the credit card bill but for lack of space in the suitcase :( I did however manage to grab a new pair of boots and some Christmas crackers to share with the family on Christmas day. I traveled down the rest of the street just wandering, not having a plan or exact idea where I was going. Just a hunch and idea of where I wanted to end up. Made my way into a few shoppes, and found the Carnaby Street hideaway - where Johnny Cupcakes London was hiding! Hemley's toystore also called for a visit, but was a madhouse so I quickly departed. Down the way I found Whittard's of Chelsea! Best little tea & hot drinking chocolate mixes and lots of free samples. Dreamtime is a favorite. Down into Picadilly Circus I walked where I went into Lillywhites, where you can find any sports apparel you may need. I was on the search for Rugby - couldn't find it...seriously?! Sorry Mike!
After 5-6 hours of strolling about I was a bit chilled and my shoulder was aching from that Primark bag of goodies. I hopped on the Picadilly line back to the hostel for some sweet potato soup. There was still more time to explore! I went back to Harrod's for a second time to take a stroll through the food hall, just to gaze and gawk at the incredible displays. I made it back to the PC World store to exchange my mom's camera card (they gave me the incorrect size) and met a boy who graduated from Richmond same year as I did - small world. To cap off the evening alone, I had to go to Whole Foods a second time for some snacks and a Firefly juice, so delicious. I had to take a turn around the corner to Cafe Nero for Haley :) and grabbed a delicious caffe americano while I was there.I met back up with Mom, Britty and Aunt CC at the hostel before we headed out to more carols at the Royal Albert Hall again - tonight was HOT, but the carols were so much fun. There were sing-songs, dancing and laughter. After the show I went to meet Shamrocker friends, Kim and Luke, at Builder's Arms, praying for Pimm's Winter Cup - those fibbers had it on their chalkboard menu, but unfortunately were no longer serving it. We had a mulled cider, a mulled wine and a winter brew and then walked through Kensington admiring the Christmas lights in the resident windows along the way. We said our goodbyes/see you soons and it was off to bed before Scotland in the AM!
x Krista
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