Day 3

Today was a rather unplanned day, but we saw some great stuff. To begin, we got up, had breakfast and started off to Buckingham Palace again, this time to tour it. But when we got there at 9:45, we were told that it was sold out for the day. I was so mad! Two days ago they wouldn’t let us buy advance tickets, but now you’re sold out within 45 minutes? Crap! So, new plan. We walked around to the front and took some pictures and then headed into what I think was Hyde Park. We ended up at the Wellington Arch and found out we could go up inside it. So we paid our fee and headed on up. It was very cool and while we were up there a bunch of guards on horseback came trotting through. It was a good view of the Mall and some of the Palace garden.

Included in our ticket was entrance to Apsley House, the Duke of Wellington’s home. Most of it has been given to the country so as to keep it kept up, and to show off the art collection. I’m so glad we went in here. It was beautiful. And a perfect example of an opulent Victorian home. The dining room was set with a huge silver centre piece that ran the entire length of the table. And the chandeliers in nearly every room were fabulous. We spent a good bit of time here and really enjoyed it.

From here we walked to Harrod’s. And with already pretty sore feet, toured around there a bit. It was overwhelming for me though and I had no idea which floor we should be on or which direction we should be going. We did not buy the nearly 30,000 pound watch that Brandon liked, nor the 11,000 pound diamond ring that I loved, but we did buy an alarm clock which we desperately need for tomorrow!

Across the street we sat down for lunch at a place called Eat. We had really good soup and sandwiches and our feet got a much deserved break. Next we got on the tube and headed to King’s Cross station to try to find platform 9 ¾. Turns out it’s moved. After walking down between platforms 9 and 10 and taking photos there, we saw a sign that said that all Hogwarts students should go to where it has moved to catch their train. Only by the time we got out of the station and walked for quite some time, we both didn’t know where we were supposed to be going anymore. We stopped in the Euston station where we thought it was to ask and the info booth guys thought we were nuts and told us to go back to King’s Cross. I’m choosing to believe that’s an elaborate new cover up spell cast so muggles like us won’t be able to find it.

Yep, I’m a geek.

We’re back now at the hostel, it’s about 5pm and we have such sore feet and hips and ankles and shoulders…we’re just taking it easy. We bought microwavable meals to heat up for supper and some stuff to take on the bus tomorrow so we’re set. Time now for showers and backpack maintenance. And tomorrow, we’re on our way north to Glasgow. London has been so good. We’re both so glad that we made this stop before we have to get serious about life here in the UK. And the hostel has grown on me a little, even though I was absolutely panicked with the guy in the bed above me came in to climb into his bed last night. I didn’t want it to crash down like Brandon’s did!