England

As you know, I recently went on a trip to England with my friend Brianna (and my Dad who was on business). Pictures will come! But first, I thought I'd write a brief synopsis of our time there.

Monday, June 6

Finish packing, piano lessons, etc.

Leave for UK!

Tuesday

Arrive in Heathrow at 10am

Hotel check-in

Orientation to the city, tube, etc.

Walk to Westminster square

Evensong at Westminster Abbey

Dinner at Sofra (Turkish)

Wednesday

Check into Hilton Park Lane (Hyde Park Corner)

St. Paul's Cathedral

National Gallery of Art

After dinner coffee in Hyde Park

Daddy leaves

Part 1-2 of Cranford

Thursday

Breakfast at Costa

Walk to Buckingham Palace - accidentally in time for the changing of the guard!

Tower of London (exterior) and Tower Bridge

Jubilee Walkway along the Thames

Lunch at Borough Market (Pasties and Pies)

Millennium Bridge

Shopping (I bought a pale pink trench coat on sale for 28quid)

Les Miserables at Queen's Theatre

Part 3-5 of Cranford

Friday

Rain...

Breakfast in Hyde Park

Gun salute (the Queen's horses gallop across the Park, and cannons are fired)

British Library

Lunch at Pret a Manger - Hot soup and hot chocolate!

London Eye

Victoria Tower Gardens (behind Parliament)

Daddy back

Check into Kensington hotel

Dinner in Covent Garden at Jamie's Italian

Saturday

Walk through Kensington

British Museum

Cycling in Hyde Park

Dinner at Moroccan restaurant (spectacular!)

Sunday

Cambridge Presbyterian Church (Rev. Ian Hamilton)

Lunch at Hamilton's

Blessed by the evening sermon

Monday

Daddy gone

King's College Chapel

Round Church

Wren Library

Lovely stroll through the town!

Marketplace (we bought Turkish delight and Jelly Babies)

Grantchester Orchard (Tea and scones with clotted creme in the apple orchard)

Drive to Lincoln

Dinner at Brown's Pie

Tuesday

Lincoln Castle (built by William the Conqueror)

Cathedral

Drive to Oxford

The Eagle and Child - (the Inklings met here: C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, etc.)

Fish and Chips/Bangers and Mash - typical pub grub

Drive to Heathrow

Wednesday

First class seats!!!

Home

Highlights in London were St. Paul's and Les Miserables. It took us four hours to explore the cathedral. Climbing the dome was fun! The whispering gallery was amazing! We had a great view of the city from the top. The engineering/architecture was fascinating. Les Miserables was absolutely spectacular! We wore formal dresses :-) The play was so moving and well done. The theatre was small and intimate - we had a great view (even from the very back row!)

Cambridge was also a highlight of the trip. It was such a nice change of pace after so many days in London! We enjoyed just walking around and taking in the small, college town atmosphere. The river Cam was beautiful, lined with willows and lush greenery. The best part was tea in the orchard. It was warm and breezy and relaxing!

The Lord blessed us with so many surprises and delights beyond what we could have hoped for! Even the opportunity and ability to go was due to His providence. And I was so thankful to share the trip with such a compatible friend! We had a marvelous time!

More to come...

Cheers!

Lily