On Good Friday we walked down to the Taunton Railway Station and waited for our train. 2 hours later we were pulling into Paddington Station! Pretty cool really - living just 2 hours away from London, still seems a little unreal!!! Here are the girls waiting for the train, they were pretty excited!
First on the 'to-do list' was the London Eye. Because it was the Easter weekend we decided to pre-book our tickets and take the 'Easter Delight Flight' - which cost a few pounds more, but meant we didn't have to queue and the girls got given a 'showbag' each with lollies and chocolates and London Eye merchandise. It was well worth it as the line up was huge!
As part of the 'Easter Delight Flight' we had a very amusing tour guide who helped us imagine London as a city made of chocolates and sweets! He was quite 'over the top' and made us play games and sing and dance!! We kinda just wanted to look out the window, and the girls didn't really like his extra loud voice much... but it was all very entertaining! Here they are getting stuck into their lolly bags!!
We were a little disappointed that it was raining when we arrived in London and kept raining for most of the day. So looking out of the London Eye wasn't as clear as we may have liked but it was still really good and you could see most things!
Looking down onto the Houses of Parliament and the world famous Big Ben. I will never forget seeing this for the first time... which was actually while we were waiting to go on the London Eye. It was truly an amazing sight... and so much better than any picture.
The girls loved the Eye and weren't afraid at all (other than of the tour guide!)
You can see Buckingham Palace in the middle of this picture... such a shame about the weather, but we didn't let it bother us too much - we were just happy to be there!
The Eye is pretty high and I did feel a little scared for about 30 seconds as we hit the very top... but other than that it was awesome.... I guess it would want to be seeing as though it is the UK's most popular paid for attraction and has 3.5 million visitors a year!
Back on the ground we enjoyed the views just as much, there were beautiful blossom trees everywhere - I love this picture...
Below is Big Ben and the Westminster Bridge (which we walked over) from a ground view. Did you know that the name Big Ben actually refers to the bell housed within the tower? The bell itself weighs almost 14 tons and is named after Benjamin Hall who first ordered the bell (and was apparently a rather 'weighty' fellow himself!).
Did you also know that Big Ben is celebrating its 150th birthday this year and has only had a few break downs in its life time.?! One being on New Years eve in 1962 when large amounts of snow and ice settled on the long hands... causing the pendulum to detach from the clock work (as it's designed to do). That night the clock struck midnight 10 minutes late... could you just imagine it!!! LOL What would you do, wait for the chimes or celebrate on time!! I can just imagine the chaos!!!
The Houses of Parliament, also know as The Palace of Westminster, and not just the world famous clock tower really was a magical site!
After our London Eye flight and a walk around Westminster it was dinner time, so we had something to eat and waited around Victoria station for our 'London by Night' sight seeing tour, on a red double-decker bus.
Too many things to look at that we gave up on taking photos...it was a bit dark for them anyway, but we saw what felt like the whole of London in 2 hours! Even the Apple store!!! (which we thought was cool!!)
By the time we got back to our hotel it was pretty late, but the girls still had to read a book!! We didn't get the best nights sleep here and lots of bed swapping was done... but we all survived and were ready for day 2 in London baby!!!
13 comments:
I love all the PINK at the train station! Look out London!!!!
London Baby!!!! I hope you got a chance to get in your map!!!!
great great pics...love the blossom photo. London! wooohoooo
Han you make me want to travel, I am so scared about our America trip but so excited at the same time. The girls look like they are having a blast in London and ther bed looks pretty good to!! Miss you guys, thanks for the little pressies, the kids thought they were great, there will be something in the post to you shortly. xx
This looks like a lot of fun. Not sure about the London Eye. I don't think I could get on it. The photos are great Im still enjoying touring England with you and it has'nt cost me any money. That great. Keep blogging.
Looks great Hannie!!! Little Emmy looks like she is growing up so quickly!! The girls are gorgeous too. Is Mick actually there with you???? Not seeing many pics of him, thought you might've kicked him out or something....:)
London Day 1 certainly seemed to be an enjoyable experience. Thanks for sharing it. Gail & I love your blog and we love your nose for details, history, etc, e.g. Old Sarum, Big Ben. Keep it up!
Awesome!!!! I think I would be scared being so far up, but it would be amazing seeing all those places. Such a great experience for the girls.
Aw, I want to go back to London! It looks like you are having a great time.
Maree I don't think you should go on the Eye either. Especially not if you are with Mum and Debbie, imagine the cackling that would go on!
Wow it all looks so fun! The pics are fantastic!! And I'm learning lots too. :)
Oh and that's totally fine about the music....Isn't "amazing" just the best??!!!
Have you had to get in the map yet Han?? And have you bought one of those hats that Joey bought?? I want one! haha
They are great pics!!! I love the blossom tree picture too, beautiful.
Lani looks so much like Elle in the second last pic!
The girls must be learning so much on their travels. It's amazing that what you can find with just two hours away from home. It would be great just to take day trips on the train with the girls. But I guess it would be a lot harder on you own without Mick there being your photographer!
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