This morning we were all up bright and early which was no surprise since we went to bed before it was even dark outside hehe. Today we were taking a private Black Taxi Cab tour of London to see the highlights etc. And to help give us our bearings.
Our driver met us outside of our flat right on 9am and he was the epitome of an English gentleman. The plan was for him to take us past some of the highlights on our 4 hour tour, tell us lots of interesting stuff and just generally give us our bearings a bit. He was actually pretty fantastic, he knew what every single building you passed was, obscure things (which I love) as well as the obvious touristy things. He included a few Harry Potter things in there for the kids as well which Im sure they appreciated.
I just cant get over the sheer age of everything. The English must come to our country and giggle when we talk about how old the Rocks in Sydney are etc hahaha. The architecture is just so drop dead gorgeous, I adore it all and cant imagine how these buildings are still standing.
Seeing all of the row style housing has been so interesting. Places worth tens of millions of pounds all attached and looking stately and exactly the same. In Australia what you could purchase for those sorts of dollars boggles the mind, but here, you dont even get a garage hehe. Im giggling at the expensive cars parked along the streets. DS said to me wow mum, if you live in London looks like you need to own Mercedes, a BMW or a Range Rover . He isnt far wrong. Some of the cars parked on the street at worth the price of a house here in Australia, too funny but I guess if you can afford a car like that, you dont mind if it gets stolen because you can just run out and pick another one up haha.
We drove past alot of the big attractions just quickly but didnt spend any time at them because we have plans to go there later in our stay. The big highlight of the day however was going to Buckingham Palace. This was the only time we would be going there since its not the time of year to be able to enter so a quick glimpse outside was going to have to do. Its one of the things i love most about travelling, seeing iconic things you have seen on tv and in magazines your whole life. Buckingham Palace didnt disappoint, it was beautiful. A bit of a shame that the guards were still in their winter grey uniforms rather than the more famous red ones but otherwise awesome to see. It was absolutely mind numbingly cold here and there were a few snow flurries flying aroumd which always makes me smile of course. DH seriously struggling with the cold today, big sooky lala, I think its because he is tired.
The tour guide was such a sweetie, he gave us so many little gifts throughout the tour, little keyrings and coasters and information and flags just all sorts of things and Im so glad we had him introduce us to this beautiful city.
Iconic
Where they did some Harry Potter filming of Diagon Alley
Kings Cross Station and Platform 9 3/4
Afterwards he dropped us near Trafalgar Square and we had lunch at a cool old pub called The Lord Moon of the Mall hahaha. Some of these pub names are hilarious. Some weve seen are Ye Olde Chesire Cheese, Bunches of Grapes, The Old **** (as opposed to the new one of course lol), I could go one. I think Im going to keep writing these funny pub names down and see which one is the weirdest by the end of our trip. Anyway, I digress, the pub we had lunch in was nice and dark and stuffy, just the way Iike my English pubs, great menu and the grown ups ended up going with a Guiness Pie which was delish, and the mashed spuds are yummo. Afterwards we headed to Trafalgar Square for a wander around, lots of people gathering around here. And then we headed to the train station to buy our weekly travel cards and to use the tube for the first time. I am pleased to report that we managed the Underground very easily and as I write this a few days later we are just like locals and using the tube all the time.
Trafalgar Square
We came home and had a little nap because everyone was lagging and then we all got up with a rush because we had overslept of course. You know that feeling of omg omg, Im late, Im late, for a very important date everyone scurrying around throwing on nice clothes and a slash of lipstick because we were due across town in Battersea at MILs cousins restaurant called Entree, see link here:-
http://www.entreebattersea.co.uk/. The restaurant was stunning, very 1920s New York speakeasy style. MILs cousin, Jerry was an amazing host and we ate drank and were merry. The menu was so upmarket and a little intimidating for our kidlets haha. Here is what we had:-
Entree for me - Scallop & crab lasagna with chive beurre blanc
Entree for DH - Yellow fin tuna tartare with avocado purée, white radish rémoulade & bread crisps
Then in between this course and the mains they brought out a lovely Celeraic soup in a glass with some lovely fresh made bread
Then for mains we had:-
Free-range Old Spot pork belly with sweet potato, butternut squash & chargrilled peach salsa
I had some slow roast Lamb with aubergine mash and a red wine jus (cant see it on the menu online, bummer)
DS had steak but of course it read much fancier on the menu and DD had a leek risotto.
We truly were thoroughly spoilt and best news of all, dinner and drinks were all on MILs cousin. Whoop whoop lol
After a wonderful evening, we jumped into a cab and headed home. Another cheap thing about London, the cabs barely cost anything. It is amazing and just like in NYC, there are an abundance of them.
Okay well that about wraps Day 2 up. I am not feeling very funny in my writing, better step up my game so you dont all unsubscribe and give up on me. I promise to make you giggle soon.
Highs black cab tour, dinner at Entree, Buckingham Palace
Lows cant think of one yet, oh wait, perhaps tiredness
Temperature high 2, low 1 brrrrr
. Goodness only knows what we will get:-
good grief, I expected that you would have warmer weather, spring type weather. Hope this doesn't affect your packing.
too. But I don't think we will see much of that but who knows 
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sounds like your are having a great time. 
at the price
