It was two years in the making, but the ‘week of Emma’s dreams’ finally came to be. Her best friend from New Jersey, Chelsea, was coming to visit! Our great friends, the Brias, graciously volunteered to escort her here, leave for their own holiday in Cornwall, and return to pick Chelsea up. It was a great week for all of us!
Emma had the week completely planned before Chelsea arrived. It may have been a little overwhelming for Chelsea, but you can’t come to London and not get the ‘London Experience.’ So, we tried the best we could to get in what we could.
We started slowly with just a tour of our little town – a ride on the double-decker bus . . . .
and a walk down the high street, with the opportunity to do whatever they wanted to do for the two hours we had. Their choice?
The library and then a book store! I wonder what they both enjoy doing?!
From then on, we hit London hard by seeing:
Buckingham Palace –
The Front
It just so happened the queen was still away for the summer so we went on an inside tour of the state rooms. It was SO fun . . . and they had Kate’s wedding dress, cake, and jewelry on display! It was a great day spent with my friends as well!
Kjrsten, Jill, & Becca
In the Back of the Palace Grounds
Trafalgar Square –
When we arrived at Trafalgar Square, it was actually hard to find. We had stumbled upon a big media promotion for the Paralympic Games.
Trafalgar Square with Olympic Countdown
It was really a treat, or rather very humbling, as we spent a lot of time watching sitting volleyball and wandering over to see the other sports being demonstrated as well.
Sitting Volleyball
Wheelchair Tennis
Tower of London –
I had planned a half day at the Tower of London, but these girls had to cover every inch of it so it took up our entire day.
Tower of London
Chelsea
When we finished, we stepped outside to get the obligatory view of the Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge
Natural History Museum:
This was another couple hour trip I had planned that turned into an all day event. The girls covered just about every inch of it.
Natural History Museum
Sherlock Holmes Museum –
This was on top of Chelsea’s list as she loves any book, movie, or TV show that has any relation to Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes
It was interesting to do something we had never done in London before – we had never even been to that part of town before!
Sherlock Holmes Museum
It may look like a hole in the wall place (which it was) but it was surprisingly busy . . . a big tourist spot!
Detective Cami
Big Ben –
Downing Street –
Having never walked down to Downing Street, we were hoping to get a great view of Number 10, but were disappointed that it has a large guarded fence around it now. You can’t even see the house! So, we settled for taking a picture of the street sign.
Shrek the Musical –
Our biggest event of the whole week was a trip to the acclaimed show, Shrek the Musical! We waited until the Brias were back from their road trip, as they are the theater gurus (both working in the theater industry in NYC).
The ‘Gang’ before Shrek
We had a great evening, laughing and enjoying a fun show!
Hannah with Ogre Ears
It was a wonderful and memorable week! It was hard for Emma to say goodbye to Chelsea for an unknown amount of time, but they had a great week to fill up their ‘tank.’
Who knows where their next adventures will take place . . .
Those girls are both looking so grown up! Wish they had been in my Young Women group! How fun that they were able to get together though . . . We’ll have to see if we can catch up with the Brias in the race for the most trips to London!