The next morning we Ubered (Germany really needs to get this service out here...) over to the breakfast spot that Bruce had found through his usual foodie-related research. "Caravan Kings Cross" is located a short walk away from Camden Lock in an old granary building. With a small but delicious breakfast menu, we spent the morning catching up and talking about the plans for the rest of the weekend.
From breakfast we followed Grand Union Tow Path along the creek for a brisk, but enjoyable walk towards Camden Town. Last time we went there with Chris and Tom, but only had about an hour before we were whisked off for the Harry Potter tour (aaah fond memories). This time we wanted to spend more time there to explore and get lost in the little nooks and crannies that fill the place.
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| Here we tried a Peanut Butter and Jelly Vegan cookie, tasted pretty good despite "someone's" reservations about trying it! |
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| "Cereal Killer Cafe" |
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| So many combinations of cereals, milk, toppings, and more!! |
As our resident cereal connoisseur, Bruce naturally needed to taste test this place. He gave it two thumbs up! (Sorry Ryan). For those of you who haven't visited Camden Lock, definitely add it to your schedule during your next London trip! There are endless booths and stores with clothes, jewelry, other homemade goods, bookstores, and of course, food! You could walk around for a while and see new things every time you go. I think Bruce and Bob had their eyes on a maroon leather suit and tie set...
From Camden we took another uber into the jewelry center of London, Hatton Garden. Our main goal was to find a place that would resize my engagement ring quickly and relatively cheaply. We found a place that would do it for about 70£, but in 8-10 days. Another could do it next day, but it was also about 70£. We nixed the idea and went on our way to the restaurant St. John, where Bruce wanted Yun and Bob to try his favorite dish, roasted bone marrow. This restaurant is a small place near Farringdon Station. Their menu changes depending on what is good that day (fish, veggies, etc.), but the bone marrow is one of their specialties. Still rather full from breakfast, the rest of us ordered small dishes. My snail and artichoke soup was delicious (tasted much better than it sounds I promise!). I didn't take foodie pictures in this place, because actually they have signs around the building asking you to put your phones away. I think Bruce broke this rule and took some of his dish though!
Sufficiently stuffed (not that we weren't before) we decided to walk off some of the food by getting to Covent Garden by foot. On our way there we found a sign that advertised "Bounce: Ping Pong bar". As someone who has visited Thailand, I was wary (those of you who've been there as well will know what I'm talking about), but as we walked inside we realized that this bar was actually for the sport of ping pong, full of tables and people enjoying themselves while chasing the little white pingpong balls everywhere. Unfortunately we would have had to book a table in advance, so there wasn't space for us to grab a game or two. We now know what is on our list for the next London visit though!
When we reach the Covent Garden area, we sneak into the Lululemon shop there to give a HUGE squeeze to my love, Lysianne, who I wish I could see more! Even though that was the only time we had together this trip, it was lovely to see her and chat, even just for a minute! xoxo
Covent Garden is a fun area with shops and restaurants, and often a street performer or two. This time there was a group of about 4 or 5 people playing classical music to passersby. We walked around a bit to show Yun and Bob the area before walking further into the tourist area, through Picadilly, and into Soho. Throughout these areas this weekend the Lumiere London event was going on! This is a huge light festival that sets up shows, displays, and incredible light fixtures between, on, and above the buildings of downtown London. We passed by a small park filled with giant lit up flowers and plants, HUGE floating LED light fish swimming above the street and a beautiful floating orb of light catching the attention of all who walked below it.
As you can see, it got pretty crowded. That area usually is a bit of a traffic jam, but this event definitely increased the usual number of people. Our plan was to hit up our favorite Indian restaurant in Soho for dinner (we went to the sister restaurant twice while we stayed in Shoreditch). We called and were told that reservations for groups under 6 were impossible, but this tended to be the "less busy" branch, so we could try our luck. Showing up, the door was clear! Shocked we walked up but were soon stopped and showed the line of 100+ people waiting in the cold to get inside. The wait looked like it would be over an hour. After walking all day, and being 6 months pregnant, AND having jetlag, Yun was about done. We decided to pop them in an uber back to Ealing, while Bruce and I met up with our friend Andre as we wandered the streets looking for anywhere with less than an hour wait to eat.
We ran into a Burger place without a stream of hungry people waiting outside the door and heard that we would have a 15 minute wait. DONE! Jumping into the pub across the street to keep warm, we waited and caught up before getting a table and enjoying dinner together. They had a great falafel burger and several other vegetarian options!
I'm blanking on the name of the restaurant, but maybe Andre or Bruce will remember it and let me know so I can put the link here. The staff was super friendly and it was a great environment! After that we were definitely ready to head back to the hotel and get a good nights rest before the next day of walking.
For breakfast the next day I found a diner that served a "real English Breakfast" of baked beans, egg, baked tomato, sausages, and toast. I think Bob was happy with his! From there we took the tube into London and got out at Westminster Abby to walk around the park by Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately we arrived just as the changing of the guard ceremony was finishing, but we still got a good look at the gates and park surrounding the palace! That'll be on Yun and Bob's list for their next trip.
One museum Bob really wanted to check out was Churchill's Bunker. Actually made from the bunkers used there during the war, we are led through the small corridors via audio tour. For the limited space of the museum, it does a great job at setting out the information visually and logically. One area is full of interactive displays and "please touch" activities. I love these kinds of museums! Great for kids and adults who want to learn a bit more about this time in history.
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| A touch screen display that expands and allows you to look at old documents/pictures/etc. from whatever date you choose |
From the museum, we walk towards Westminster and Big Ben. We took the obligatory photo with the red telephone booth of course!
Unfortunately, Westminster was closed for tourists, but we got a good look from outside and headed to our afternoon tea reservation at the "Muffin Man's Tea Shop" in Kensington. In a fancier area of London, the Muffin Man is located in a super nice neighborhood on a corner. Walking in you're welcomed by a display of cookies and cakes of the day, before sitting at a small table and given tea pots, english muffins, and whatever cakes you would like to try!
Chatting about the day and watching several super nice cars try and parallel park across the street, we enjoyed the early evening sipping our tea and eating sweets. We then tried to decide what to do for dinner, because that seems to be all we can talk and think about (oops). First, we passed the natural history museum on our way to tea, so we quickly paid, jumped into another uber and ran to the entrance right before they stop letting people enter (5:30). The inside of the museum is worth an exhibit of its own. With super high ceilings and displays lining the entrance we made our way through as many areas as we could before they started shutting off the lights (which they did...)
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| a sloth, apparently. |
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| jewels and precious stones exhibit (pretty sure my ring belonged in the diamond area) |
After being graciously led out of the museum at closing time, we walked over to an area nearby that might have a bar to hang out in before dinner reservations at an indian place Bruce had found. The boys hung out at "Churchill Arms" bar, while Yun and I walked down to TKMaxx to find few little gifts for the girls back home. Shopping for little girls is like dressing up a doll! I had fun finding things for Ellie and Emma, and saw cute boy stuff for the future little one.
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| "Churchill Arms" |
The restaurant Bruce found for dinner was called "Malabar", and turned out to be a super delicious meal! I bravely told them to make my veggie curry spicy, and they definitely listened to my request (plus a bit more maybe!). Their Naan was delicious and I think everyone really enjoyed their meal! From there we got back to the hotel ready for the early trip to Chelmsford in the morning.
The train from Liverpool Street Station to Chelmsford is a super easy 40 minute ride with Uncle Chris waiting there for us at the end to take us out to the house. A super different English experience than the city of London, life out with Grandma and Chris is very quiet, but definitely a great relaxing end of a busy trip for Yun and Bob. When we get in, Grandma is preparing her specialty, a roast dinner, for us all to enjoy! I take Yun and Bob on a quick tour of the area, dodging muddy puddles from the recent flooding, but enjoying the green countryside as opposed to busy concrete city.
Stuffing ourselves with Yorkshire pudding, Grandma's famous potatoes, brussels, broccoli, (and lamb for the carnivores), we spend the next few hours relaxing and digesting.
Soon after the doorbell rings as family friends arrive for a desert and tea party that Grandma planned to not only celebrate the engagement, but also Bruce's birthday (and Grandma's even though she didn't mention it!). Grandma went completely overboard with cakes, pies, and other treats for the evening. I loved catching up with everyone and especially seeing little Leila who began walking a few days before we arrived!!
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| Everyone looking at the little one! |
As much as I love London, being able to easily get out and spend time with Grandma and Chris is a special treat as we have always been so far away before. The house never seems to change, there's a roaring fire in the fireplace, and dark chocolate digestive biscuits in the fridge <3
Overall another great (albeit short) visit out to England. Can't wait for the next one!!
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