A little Beatles fun.

Wednesday and another beautiful day.  Today we started our day riding a red, double decker bus.  The bus stop was a 5 minute walk from the Sandoval’s house.  Within minutes the 189 was there and we were up top!  We took the 15 minute ride to Abbey Road.  We got off on Abbey Road and headed down towards the small crowd.  There were only a few people at the crossing- but we waited our turn and then got some friendly Argentinian’s to take the photo of all 4 of us crossing- what a fun experience (the Beatles were here!)  Then we popped in to the Abbey Road studios (even though it says no tours today- oops!) The wall outside is all graffiti’d up- a very inserting area indeed.

Then we walked down to the tube station (it was quite a hike), but walking though the city of Westminster it is very posh.  We entered the tube and realised we were one station away from Paddington- we had to go and find that mini bear’s statue.  Of the tube at Paddington and a brief coffee stop and then to platform #1 to see paddington Bear’s brass statue- there he was.

The day was slipping away quickly so back on the tube and over to the British Museum. walking up to the museum, one can hardly believe the size of the place.  We were quickly inside- we have really had no line ups at all this trip- March is a good time to visit. A quick consultation of the map lead us to the Rosetta stone and the Egyptian Gallery.  Once again, like the Louvre- how many artifacts are the left in Egypt?  We walked the Egypt galley and saw some of incredible statues that were at the entrance to the pyramids- there were also a number of statues from Syria.  

Then we were hungry- the cafeteria had some mushy looking sandwiches- and we had seen a hot dog truck outside at the entrance- so we went outside for a chilly lunch of wieners in a bun.  Back inside we found the gallery of Africa and South America really neat.  There was a display someone had done of all the drugs a man and woman will take in their life time and had actually placed each drug into a display- there were about 150,000 pills on display- it was a very interesting display.

Upstairs we found even more Egyptian mummies- they have Cleopatra here- wow- I had no idea she was 17 when she died.  After about 3 hours in the museum we realised we were not conquering any more and decided to leave for Covent Garden.

The Gardens have some incredible shopping- we browsed a few and then Frank and I settled in for an afternoon cream tea.  There was some live music and it was all quite enjoyable. After tea, we browsed some more and then met up with Steph, Vandana and Sundaya, as we were all going to the theatre.  We ate at Jamie Oliver’s Union Jack in the middle of Covent Garden, Frank headed off to meet with Andrew.  After a pizza dinner we made our way over to the Cambridge Theatre for the play- Matilda.  Our seats were in the balcony- but pretty good. The play started and had us captivated from the get go. After and hour there was a brief intermission- during which we had our mini hagen das ice creams and then the play continued.  It finished at 10 which is hard to believe that it was 2.5 hours in the theatre the play was so good!

Right after the play Brigitta was there to meet me for a quick drink.  Steph took the girls home- what a good friend.  We met up with Andrew and Frank and all had a lovely catch up.  Then the pub closed and we ha to part ways.  A brief but lovely visit.  Frank and I headed home- what along day - but lots of fun.

Eye see you!

Tuesday we woke up to a gorgeous sunny morning- we knew we were going to conquer the London Eye.  Steph decided to come with us which was a great treat.  10am (yeah another late start) and we were off.  The tube to London Bridge- when we alighted the station we realised that we had overshot the mark and were too far from the Eye- hmmm,  back down to the tube station and back to Westminster- which is where we should have stopped.  Okay now we will conquer the Eye.  With a quick photo stop at Big Ben and we crossed the bridge to the London Eye.  The line up for tix wasn't too bad- and then we were on the Eye in about 10 minutes.  A beautiful, sunny, clear day and we could see for miles.  i was surprised that the wheel never stopped for people to get on- it moves slowly granted, but you have to load the pod pretty quickly.  we had about 13 people in the pod with us- but it was roomy and we could see as far as our eyes would let us.  A great view from the top- just such a big city.  Before we knew it 35 minutes had passed and we were back at the bottom.  We met back up with Frank and Steph (Frank wasn't into the height of the wheel!)
Of course it was not lunch time- we found a good pub- St Stevens- and had a good pub lunch.  Then Steph had to leave to get back in time to pick up Leo from school.  We walked past Westminster Cathedral and up the Birdcage walk to Buckingham Palace.  We tried to spot the Queen- but she wasn't home for a tea.  Then we walked back down the Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square. We admired the huge statues in the square- including the new horse skeleton one- this corner statue changes up regularly.  Then we strolled over to St Martens in the field and the brass rubbing gallery.  The girls and I each chose a design and and sat down and did a rubbing- it was a lot of fun.
It was getting late and we had to be back at the house by 5 ish, but with an hour or so to spare we thought we would pop in to the National Gallery- we saw some Van Gogh's, Monet's, Rodain's and more- a brief visit was pretty fruitful in the amount we were able to see.
We jumped on the tube and were homeward bound.  The girls were babysitting Leo and Gabe as Steph and Rod had organised a tour for us of the Tower of London at night, but we hadn't realised it was the only night that Elaine and Andrew could get together.  So Steph managed to get some friends to head to the Tower with her and Rod was off to dinner with us.  We headed to Andrew's restaurant in Marble Arch (picking Rod up along the way).  We arrived before the Stafford's and were treated like royalty.  The drinks started flowing immediately.  Then Elaine and Andrew arrived and the food came in waves.  The food was so good- edamame beans, sashimi, pork buns, artichoke sticks, lamb chops- so much and so good.  We spent a good few hours catching up and before we knew it, it was almost 11:30!  Another long day and we were pooped- we quickly hailed a cab and were home by midnight and straight to bed!

Tower of London

We thought we would have an early start, but had a hard time getting our assess out of bed this morning.  So it was a later start than we anticipated. We headed to Kilburn station - bought our oyster passes for the tube and we were off to the Tower of London.  We arrived just before lunch so of course we had to eat again before we could enter.
Finally we were in the tower just before noon.  We started off at the wall walk- pretty impressive views- although a little chilly!  We walked all the way to the animal display- who knew so many animals passed through the tower.  Then we found ourselves at the crown jewels- they really are stunning and so shiny.  We loved the armoury with all the armour- including that for the horses mind you.  There were a raven or 2 flying around and they are big birds close up.  The bloody tower was pretty gruesome- all those torture devices.  Finally about 3 hours later we were done.
We headed toward tower bridge and walked over to the southbank.
Strolling along we passed the HMS Belfast- a huge war ship and then found ourselves at the Borough market- the most delicious smells were coming from the vendors.  I had not had lunch earlier and was famished - a pork on the spit sandwich with apple sauce- don't mind if I do.  Carrying along the southbank we saw the Golden Hind, the globe theatre and the clink street- all before we reached the millennium bridge.  We crossed back over and up to St Paul's Cathedral- we got there just in time to have missed the final admittance- bummer.  We headed down into the crypt and found lovely cafe serving tea and scones- so we sat a while and warmed up.
The girls were now hungry as we approached dinner time- we hopped on the tube to Oxford Circus- well that was a crazy zoo!! We saw some McDonalds arches in the distance and headed off there to wait out the rush hour. The girls munched and I surfed the net not the free wifi.  After that wonderful dinner we headed to Hamley's toy store- apparently the biggest in the world- 6 stories and it contains over 52,000 types of toys- wow.  While ogling all the toys who should walk by but Nicholas Cage and his son!  Pretty cool- we stalked them for a while and then after 1.5 hours in the store we were done.
*side note day 2- we had another jacket fail today.  Delaney had her jacket on only to discover that the damn zipper was broken- so we popped into H&M on Oxford and got her a cute jacket in the clearance section for 7 pounds.  It was pretty cold today so jackets are a must and ones that zipper close a bonus!
After the toy store we walked down to Piccadilly Circus- had a look around and then decided we were exhausted and were right at the Piccadilly circus underground- so home we headed.  We arrived home at 8ish- pooped and ready for bed.

Sunday March 8th- a little Camden!

Sunday we woke up at a decent hour and had a wonderful English fry up.  Then we were all 3 families off to Camden.  The local Jubilee line was not running so we decided to catch a cab to little Venice and then the water bus to Camden.  Finding a taxi was not that easy on a Sunday morning but after about 30 mins of walking we lucked out and found one!  We arrived at the canal and there was a long line up- but we were hopeful- when the waters arrived there were only 2 other people behind us who made it on (close one!)
We had a wonderful 50 minute ride down the canals - arriving at Camden for lunch time.  Oh wow- so many people. We quickly lost Rod and then Vandana and Shaun were too overwhelmed with 4 kids and so many people.  We all split up to meet later at 2pm.  Off we headed with the girls - checking out all the stalls and eclectic shops and vendors - I love this place.
*we were also on the look out for a jacket for Danica her brand new one that we bought last week- got left in the overhead bin on the plane and it is not super warm here!
We wandered around and found some eats and treats.  We met up with Rod, Steph and the boys as they had a north African style lunch at a hookah bar!  Then we waited for Gary to join us. We all met a Cyberdog (what a crazy rave, neon, loud, funky store!)
It was so good to see Gary- he is looking good- Steph left with boys as it was along day for them- I dragged Frank, Rod, Gary, myself and the girls to a lovely teashop for an afternoon cream tea (scones, clotted cream, jam and tea.)  So funny to have these loud med in a tea shop :)
Then we wandered up Camden High street watching the people and things go by.  Ending up at the Camden Eye pub (under 16 are allowed in until 6pm) so we headed in for a pub dinner.  The food was great- then the girls and I caught a cab home as the men were all staying in Camden for a concert at the Underworld ( a band called King Parrot who Frank was seeing for the 3rd time since October).
Me and the girls for home and chilled- what a great first day in London town.

London here we come

Friday at 6pm our flight left from YVR.  We knew we were in for the long 9 hours and Frank had prepped with some sleeping pills and the girls with Gravel- I never have a problem sleeping on the plane so I was good!  We had an okay dinner and by okay I mean perhaps better than hospital food??
I got to watch "the Imitation Game" - great movie btw.  Then we all slept- I got maybe 3.5 hours as did Delaney- Frank slept for 5 or so.
Finally we landed at sunny Heathrow.  Steph had secured a driver for us and there he was to pick us up after a very pleasant jaunt through customs- they are really friendly here (who knew)!
We arrived at Rod and Steph's an hour later and to a wonderful BBQ lunch and sunny afternoon. We had a great catch up and the boys are too cute. We spent the whole afternoon basking in the sun and trying avoid going to bed too early.
Later the other family staying here (full house for sure!) arrived and we all had a great gab session.  They have 4 young ones under the age of 8- brave travellers I say.
At about 10pm we headed to bed- exhausted.

Lovely Lanikai

Last day on the island we thought we would take a drive to Lanikai.  This is about an hour drive east of the North Shore.  Jeep packed up and off we headed.
The scenery along the way was stunning- the huge Pali on your right and the stunning ocean on your left.
Arriving in Kailua we headed straight for the beach.  We arrived to a pretty busy beach- but no parking problems and pretty soon we were lying on a little hill overlooking the blue ocean.  From the little river that flows into the ocean, a ton of kayakers were getting ready for the trip out to the little island off shore.  It looks like a fun activity- next time!
The sand here is so soft and the water so blue, it is a little slice of heaven- really it is.  We all went for a dip in the ocean and stayed for a long while- nice gentle waves and soft sand under feet- awesome.
At lunch time we packed up and headed to the town of Kailua for some lunch and a little shopping.  We had some salads and cruised some of the stores in the strip mall we had stopped at- nice little eclectic mix of stores.  Then we were off back home.  The traffic was a little crazy out of town- rush hour I guess?  Then the drive back a little slow- one lane highways can be challenging.  I wanted to stop at this orchid farm on the way home so we found it and got out to have a look- beautiful plants, just too many to choose from and too large to bring back home.  Last stop on the way home was Fine Ass Chocolates and coffee.  We bought some yummy chocs and had some not great coffee- then we were home bound for reals!
Monday night Ayeesha made some pasta for dinner and then we hung out before packing to leave early the next morning.  So sad to go after such a lovely time.  We will be back soon.

Heaven on Sunday

Sunday - yes another gorgeous day! After the family got home from Church and Anne had washed her car- we headed to the beach. A little further east than previous we went to Malaekahana beach. We had to stop for poke along the way (it was soooo good- I'm learning to love this tuna poke!) We arrived at the beautiful beach, found some shade and then the girls hit the waves. What a great beach for body surfing- so much fun. The water was perfect and the beach smooth with no rocks on the feet. Momo had a nap with mom in the shade- I caught up on some reading and Frank some zzzz's. A perfect little slice of heaven on a Sunday.

After a few hours we decided to head to Kahuku farms for lunch. They served the most delish veggies sandwiches and smoothies. The girls had foccacci pizza and smoothies- so good. We took a walk around the farm after and saw too many types of trees and plants to remember- what a great location for an organic farm.

Then back at the house and relaxing done, Frank and I headed out on the bikes. We needed chicken for dinner so we headed along the beach path to Foodland. A stunning sunset was at the end of our ride. We watched the sun sink and then headed home on the bikes- chicken in the basket.

We bbq'd chicken, with potatoes and salad for a great end to a good day.

Another stunning beach