Post #100 - A Return to London

It was our last stop on the nine months of travel before we returned home to Virginia. The kids were ready. Tom and I were ready. 

But, we still had a few fun things to see and do as we returned to London. 

Mom needed a few more castles in her life and Lucy needed yet another excuse to wear her "fancy" dress, so we had a day at Windsor Castle.

Honestly, this was a bit of a surprise to me. It was pretty, of course, but surprisingly laid-back. When I lived in DC, I toured the West Wing of the White House, and Windsor Castle was way more interesting and accessible. We were walking through all these state rooms and were up close to gifts of from other countries.

I don’t have photos of these things because, refreshingly, we weren’t allowed. I’m finding it nice when that happens now because you are much more attentive to the subject matter if you have to examine it with your own eyes rather than through a lens. 

Plus, Lucy got in a bit of art. They had easels set up for young kids to paint watercolors. 

Kaeli was also working on her own art, but this wasn't unusual for her. She's amazing and was drawing faces and places everywhere we went. At one point she even bought a miniature drawing pad because she wanted something more portable. She rarely was on her phone. I'm taking note and should probably take up drawing as well.

The town of Windsor was also fun. 

Earlier in the day we had breakfast at The Ivy, which was richly decorated throughout, even the bathrooms!

And we all enjoyed the shops and streets.

cousins looking like a rock band!

And of course, if we went to Windsor, then we also had to check out Buckingham Palace and see the changing of the guard. 

I do think everyone else in London had to same idea at the time as us.

Sometimes, however, the crowds make the experience. 

At least Lucy had a pretty good view from Tom’s shoulders 

Lucy's cinematography debut!

The actual tour of Buckingham Palace was much quieter and was also a pleasant experience. I loved the art collection. Again, no photos here. You just have to remember the experience.

I’m also thankful for Kaeli’s love of theatre. That meant that one of her “must-do” items was to see a musical on the West End. We took a vote, and Phantom of the Opera won out. 

I was glad because I had never seen the Phantom of the Opera before and was only vaguely aware of the storyline.

My lanta, what a show!!! I was boo-hooing through the last excruciatingly beautiful song. It was an experience that I won’t soon forget. 

On our last day, we set our sights on Camden Town for some last shopping and exploring. 

I even found a cheese restaurant where they had their cheese pairing selections rotating around the room on a conveyor belt.

Then it was time to say goodbye. Goodbye to our family and our adventure of traveling together. That part, we would miss. 

But we were also saying goodbye to the lifestyle of country hopping. Nine months is a long time. We were ready to go home and unpack our backpacks for a bit. 

And after a time of rest ... who knows where we may go next?!