At the end of last week I took Lily on a long train journey to visit big sister. It had been a good few years since I had been to the city and this was Lily's first ever time in London, so it was very exciting for both of us. Luckily we were being met at the station, so I didn't need to concern myself with navigating the underground, complete with our bags, to where we were staying.
After a large cup of coffee (to recover from the journey) we enjoyed an afternoon walk on Clapham Common. It was a beautiful day, and although the wind made it feel incredibly chilly, it was good to stretch our legs after being sat down for much of the day.
The following morning, after a delicious breakfast of scrambled egg on toast, we travelled to Charing Cross station, where we would begin our sightseeing for the day, starting with Trafalgar Square. Here, I'm sure Lily would quite likely have paddled in the fountain had it not been forbidden. Instead, we took an obligatory photograph if her sat in front of one of the Lions at the base of Nelson's Column.
From there, we walked down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, where we could see lots of activity and, as luck would have it, we were just in time to see The Changing of the Guard. I think it takes place only several times a week at the moment, so we had unknowingly timed our visit perfectly. Following the ceremony, we walked through St. James's Park, and on towards Downing Street (disappointingly, we didn't see Larry🐈), The Cenotaph, Big Ben and The London Eye. Then on to the underground, once again, to see The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch at St. Katherine's Dock. Pretty much most of the familiar tourist destinations that Lily would recognise. Then, as a special treat, we visited Hamleys toy store :)
By this time, I was feeling quite tired - climbing Helevllyn a few weeks ago had been a breeze compared to this 🤣 - so a relaxing evening spent back at the flat was very welcome.
The next day we would return home, but before catching our train, I had booked tickets for us all to go on the London Eye. It was ridiculously expensive but definitely worthwhile, especially on such a clear day. We could see right across London.
J. X
Last weekend both my boys and their girls did the same! The same tourist route as none of them had seen any of them before, instead of going to Hamleys they went to the Moonin shop, sounds like you all had a lovely visit to London☺️
ReplyDeletePS they said they were tired from all that walking too😁
The Moomin store would have been my preference :) but Lily really wanted to visit Hamleys. She is now the proud owner of some moon shoes! X
DeleteMoomin shop! Brilliant :) I'm obviously not with it, as I had to run a search for 'Moon shoes' :0 :) x
DeleteI'm tempted to give them a try myself, they look like a lot of fun. X
DeleteI'm glad you both had a splendid time in London. I know Clapham common very well as I grew up in Battersea, and had the benifit of the common and Battersea Park, both just a short walk. You'll need a rest when you get back. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean. I think we might visit Battersea next time. X
DeleteIt sounds like you had a good couple of days and what an exciting time for Lily, I bet she was thrilled with everything. Great photos as always, my favourite is the one above the first London Eye shot. I went to London with my parents when I was 12 and visited all the obligatory tourist places, even had my photo taken with a couple of Beefeaters at the Tower of London, loved every bit of it but London now? - my idea of hell. My very first teddy bear came from Hamleys, my dad got it for me, though I guess the store is a lot different now to what it was back then.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm being completely honest, I had been apprehensive about our trip but it was great, and far more pleasant than I remember from my previous visits. X
DeleteSome lovely memories to treasure. Though I would never want to live there there is something about London that I really love. x
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. There aren't any hills there ;) X
DeleteGoodness, that took some stamina!
ReplyDeleteI hope you both enjoyed your visit, happily you had lovely weather for it which makes all the difference.
I'm sure the weather made all the difference to our visit. We were lucky. X
DeleteWhat a wonderful mini-break. You did all the sights but yes, it's so exhausting, isn't it. It's a long time since I've been to London, you've made me want to visit again soon.
ReplyDeleteThe tables have turned ;) X
DeleteOh how exciting for Lily that very first trip to London. Bet the train journey was great too. I love long train rides. You visited all my favourite places and a trip on the eye! Bet those legs were tired after all that walking. B x
ReplyDeleteFortunately, we are very used to walking ;)
DeleteWe've traded in London loads of times but, other than a school trip to celebrate the Silver Jubilee in 1977 and three blogger meet-ups, I'm pretty much a stranger to London. I'm glad the weather was kind to you both! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how that happens. I've completed the Great North Run on at least five occasions, but I've never really visited Newcastle :)
DeleteIt sounds like a you both had a wonderful time, the photos are lovely. It's a long time since I was in London but I remember it can be a very tiring place to visit. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was great to be a tourist and visit all the sights. It was exhausting but definitely worth it. X
DeleteIt certainly looks and sounds that you had a great few days.
ReplyDeleteWonderful view from the London Eye.
Happy Easter Wishes.
All the best Jan
We had a really great day for the London Eye. The view was so clear. X
DeleteHow wonderful for you both to have time away in London. The views are amazing, it's many years since I've been to London x
ReplyDeleteIt had been a while since my previous visit. I'm sure we will return soon and visit even more of the sights. X
DeleteSuper photos. She will remember the visit for the restof her life, so not a penny wasted.
ReplyDeleteI do hope so, Pat. Xx
DeleteNow I can say I have seen London! Thanks, Jules, for taking me on the tour with you and Lily!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, Chris. Xx
DeleteWhat a wonderful visit that must have been! Did Lily enjoy it? Thank you for sharing the photos!
ReplyDeleteShe had a great time, thank you Bless. Xx
DeleteIt looks like you had a fabulous time in London and it will be very memorable for Lily. I've done all those touristy things and more and visited many times as my son lives in London and works for London Underground. I know how tiring traipsing around can be. I've very much enjoyed seeing your photos.
ReplyDeleteWe really did, thank you Eileen. I hope we will get to see even more of London later this year. X
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Happy Easter! Xx
DeleteIt looks like you and Lily had a wonderful time in London! What a fun adventure for the both of you. And it looks like you had wonderful weather, as well.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lot of fun, and we were so lucky with the weather. X
DeleteWhat a lovely trip and Lily is the perfect age to enjoy it and also remember it, although I'm sure seeing big sister was definitely the highlight. What a treat to catch Changing of the Guard as well. Perfect timing :) xx
ReplyDeleteI know! How lucky were we to catch The Changing of The Guard. We were even treated to a running commentary by a delightful, impeccably dressed tourist, who had clearly watched the ceremony many many times before :) X
DeleteOh my! Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos of a place I would love to visit. So glad you had a wonderful visit!!! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Billie Jo! X
DeleteOh how exciting for you both.Fab photos brought back memories of when I used to go.Have been on The London Eye,still have the pic it took of us all.Happy easter to you both and Mog.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. I hope we will be visiting again soon. X
DeleteWhat a fab trip, it must have been so exciting for Lily. My girls would like to visit Landan Town, but I think the youngest things she can just drop by for tea with the Queen if she were to visit Buckingham Palace :0 How lucky to see the changing of the guard. And you're right, that is quite a view from the London Eye! It has been many years since I've been to London, but surely drunk party people people crash into the Trafalger fountain during the summer months?! xXx
ReplyDeleteI think Lily came very close to crashing into the fountains and I can see shy it would be tempting, especially after a tipple or two ;)
DeleteWe were lucky to have a clear day for the London Eye, the views were wonderful.
I hope you manage to visit soon. X
How lucky to turn up just in time for the changing of the guard. I find walking around any city exhausting, far more tiring than walking in the lakes. It is so very busy isn't and noisy, I am sure that contributes to the tiredness. Despite that it sounds like you both had a wonderful time in London making memories for Lily that I am sure she will remember for many a year to come.
ReplyDeleteIn a city it is a very different walking experience :) And although London didn't seem as noisy or busy as I remembered, it was very tiring.
DeleteNet time I hope we will see even more of the sights. X
I haven't been to London since the January before the first lockdown. I'm hoping to get back down there for a trip sometime this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to visit again soon. X
DeleteWonderful pictures of your trip to London. So many amazing sites to see. The London eye is fantastic and you were so lucky to have a clear day that you could see across London. I haven't been there for a long time but the capital does hold many treasures. I must try and fit in a visit there again.
ReplyDeleteWe were so lucky to get a clear day to go on the London Eye, we were able to see right across London. I'm sure I would visit more often, but it's such a long train journey. X
DeleteYou certainly get your steps in when you go to London 🙂. Glad you got the lovely weather to see all the sights. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shazza. X
DeleteYou had some lovely weather to see the sights. Jo x
ReplyDeleteWe were so lucky. I think our trip coincided with the best weather that week. Xx
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