St. Paul's Cathedral and Greenwich

Friday saw another busy day in the city. Our first stop was St. Paul's Cathedral. You'll probably remember that we tried going there last week, but got there 5 minutes too late to enter. Well, Friday we got in. We wandered around with our audioguides for a good 2 hours and had lunch down in the crypt. You can't take pictures inside, so I don't have anything fun to show. Here's another picture of Mom and Dad outside the Cathedral last weekend.

Edgar left work a few hours early on Friday and met us in Greenwich, which is right by his office. Our goal was to visit the Royal Observatory and stand on the Prime Meridian line. This is the dividing line between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. It is also the beginning of time, so to speak. It is the keeper of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), from which all other time zones are set. The museum there shows a really fun history of clocks and all sorts of navigational tools. It's amazing how anyone ever found their way around before they were perfected!

(Watches synchronized)

(Edgar with Canary Wharf in the background)

(East and West at the same time)
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The Bump Has Arrived!

Week 5

Week 18

Now that my pregnancy news is out of the bag, I thought I would share a "bump" picture for everyone since you can't see it in person. Edgar started taking pictures of it at Week 5, but it got pretty boring because nothing was changing. I feel like things are different enough now to start showing the changes. When I was in Texas a few weeks ago, I bought some maternity pants and got them a little bigger than what I needed because I "would definitely fill them out eventually". Well, I love them, but I have determined that I need clothes that fit me NOW. I was getting serious saggy butt in the old ones and the crotch would hang down to what seemed like my knees after only 5 minutes of walking. I was always on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction. Today, Mom and I went on a mission to find some jeans that would actually fit me. I found 2 pair that are great and will grow with me through the pregnancy. I can't tell you how happy I am to have some clothes that finally fit. Mom bought me 2 sweaters that are very cute and I can't wait to wear them, too!

A Few Days Rest and Then Off to the Park

After two days of intense walking, we needed a little break. One thing I completely underestimated about pregnancy was how I would get so completely exhausted doing normal things like walking. My stamina just isn't what it used to be. Edgar wound up having to go into work on Sunday (highly unusual for him), so we slept in and caught up on some laundry. Monday saw us take a small walk around Richmond to run errands and then lunch at one of my local hang outs.

Today, I finally felt almost fully recovered. Even if I wasn't, I can't handle staying in the house for longer than 2 days. We loaded up in the car and headed to the High Street Kensington area. Our first stop was Whole Foods Market. Funny how Whole Foods is an American company, began in Austin (my first place to live outside of home), and their first major visit to it was here in London. We meandered around the 3 floors of deliciousness and finally decided on some lunch in the food court area. I think Mom and Dad were impressed by all the different types of food there were.



After lunch we walked across the street into Kensington Park. Kensington Palace is the focal point of this park and Mom decided she wanted to do the tour. Dad and I decided not to go in, so we hung out on a bench admiring the Sunken Garden. It's beautiful and so peaceful. We enjoyed the people watching and laughing at the antics of all the birds and ducks.

(Mom and Dad sitting in Front of the Sunken Garden with Kensington Palace in the background)

A Day to Admire the Southbank and Celebrate my Birthday!

We set our alarms for early morning today...and actually woke up when they went off! We had to get to the Borough Market before the crowds hit. I braved city traffic and drove all of us in instead of taking the train. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I found a parking garage close to all the places we were to visit. The Borough Market was colorful, lively and smelled as good as it always does. Several cheese, truffle oil, and salsa samples later, we made our purchases and hit the River again. It's just our luck that the one day we are near the London Bridge, they are having the 800 year anniversary celebration. These impromptu festivities are the best.

(Me, Mom, and Dad looking at the veggies in the Borough Market)

We then headed further down the Southbank towards Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. It started pouring rain just as we got half way over the Bridge. Thankfully, I am an experienced Londener these days and we all had the umbrellas handy. Before Mom and Dad toured the Tower of London, we stopped for lunch at Bodean's. You would never think a place across the pond would have good BBQ, but we found one! Bodean's has great BBQ that rivals any I've had in Texas or the US. Even my Dad said it was good...and that's saying alot.

(Edgar, Vonda, Little Baby, Mom, and Dad in front of Tower Bridge)

(Mom and Dad in front of the Tower of London)

We attempted to see St. Paul's Cathedral, but got there five minutes too late to enter. We did get some good shots of the outside, though. We will have to go back another day to go inside.

(In front of St. Paul's Cathedral)

We had all had enough walking for the day, so we headed home to get a little rest before going out for my birthday dinner. I thought it was going to be a small dinner at one of our favorite Italian places here in Richmond. When we arrived, I was completely surprised to find that Charlie, Catalina, and Sebastian was also there to join the party! I was completely shocked and so, so happy to have my wonderful London friends celebrate my birthday with me. It was even more special because Mom and Dad were able to be here as well.

Perfect ending to a perfect day!

Mom and Dad are Here!!!

Mom and Dad arrived for their second visit to London this past Tuesday. I am so happy to have them here and to be able to take them to all the places we missed the first time around. Tuesday and Wednesday were days for resting and jetlag adjusting. But you better believe that on Thursday, we hit the ground running-well, I guess I eased them into it gently. We went for a walk around Richmond, stopped for coffee along the river, and did some people watching.


Today we headed to Kew Gardens for a walk around its 326 beautiful acres. They have an attraction called "Treetops" that is a very, very tall steel structure in which you can walk around the actual treetops. It's 118 steps to the top and the views are amazing. It is a little freaky because the floor you walk on is basically a heavy duty metal screen and yes, you can see through to the ground. It isn't for anyone afraid of heights, that's for sure! My dad used to climb telephone poles for a living, so the elevation doesn't bother him. I, on the other hand, tended to hold on to the rails and not walk in the very middle of the walkway. Mom stayed with her feet firmly planted on the ground.

(Mom and Dad in the "Ruined Arch" at Kew Gardens)

(Dad in the Treetops)

Star Brunch

I've been in London for over 2 years and the only star sighting I've had is a very long distance glimpse of Sienna Miller and her ex-boyfriend Rhys Ifans at the Hyde Park German Christmas market 2 years ago. I've seen a few British TV personalities while out and about...one of the BBC news anchors and another guy who is the go to doctor for medical programs. Richmond is home to Jerry Hall and occasionally Mick Jagger. I walk veeeerrrryyy slowly every time I pass their flats, but I have yet to see them. Edgar and I went for brunch this morning and I finally had my first close encounter with a star. Pete Townsend, of The Who fame, lives here in Richmond...very close to Mick and Jerry...and he sat down at the table right in front of Edgar and I. At first I wasn't sure if it was him, but I googled him when we got home and it was definitely him. I heard he and his dining companion say something about a "fantastic recording studio" and that pretty much sealed the deal. I think he must be a regular at this place because the wait staff knew how he liked his coffee. He seemed like a nice guy and I'm very glad I can say I've finally seen one of our famous residents.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

A big Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad!!! Today they celebrate 38 years of wedded bliss. Quite an accomplishment! Hope you two have a fabulous day and a great year.