Europe: Day 1 London

Dusty and I are back from our three week adventure-vacation-whirlwind, whatever you'd like to call it. Europe was completely amazing. We had such a great time together. Each city/country had it's own flavor and we very much enjoyed each one.  We returned exhausted, but full to the brim with stories and inside jokes.

 Our boys were smothered with love by both sets of grandparents (who happen to live twenty minutes from each other) and didn't seemed fazed when we face-timed with them from overseas. We had a hard time parting with them but knowing they were with people who loved them helped so much. 

Disclaimer: these posts are going to be chock full of our travel stories- to satisfy those who have been asking for them. If you are not one of these people, feel free to browse the pictures, but consider yourself warned! :)

 Dusty's parents took our boys home with them the day before we left. We watched them drive away with treats, clothes, and notes on what they liked to eat and what foods Jack cannot have. I had not spent a night away from Jack since his hospital stays and I was already feeling a little traumatized. My sister let us spend the night at her house and then drove us to the airport so she could also car-watch for us.

 Here we are just leaving, with our two backpacks and satchels. That is all we brought. Seriously. But completely the best decision we made. I cannot tell you how many times I watched people struggle with their monster luggage and feel smug that mine was firmly on my back and I was hands-free. I had really researched how to "pack light" before we left and I think we did really well.

We didn't have any troubles with any of our flights to Heathrow Airport in London. We first flew to Houston, TX and then straight to the UK. Our plane overseas was very nice. Loads of movies to choose from, power points with every seat, large screens in the seats. I tried to sleep as much a possible, knowing we would land at 9:30 am UK time. Flying views were marred by clouds almost the entire time except when we just got over England and then the beautiful Rapeseed fields were shining out. So beautiful.

When we landed, it took us about two hours to get off the plane, through Customs, and then get to the ATM for some currency (pounds). Once we had gathered our thoughts we headed through the airport to find the buses. We finally found them at the exit of the arrivals wing (there weren't many signs). I knew which bus we needed to catch to get to Windsor and we waited for it to come. A friendly man helped us know which stop to get off at and was glad we were coming to see the castle. Our bus ride was almost 45 minutes through the suburbs. We noticed lots of really nice cars and zero yards.

Windsor, at least by the castle, is completely a tourist trap, but also completely charming. We had planned to stow our luggage at the train station, but to our utter dismay, they didn't offer it. Too small. So we packed it with us. We had planned to only see the castle, so it would be okay.  I had bought a London Pass and had it shipped to us in advance so we had immediate access to the castle and could waltz to the head of the line.  Saved us at least an hour waiting in the rain.  We discovered we could check our luggage in the castle, so we headed there straight away.

It's funny how you picture things in your mind and then it's totally different. I pictured Windsor Castle still nestled in the moors, but alas, it was surrounded by buildings and streets. :)

We came prepared with slickers and umbrellas and were of the opinion that we had better get rained on in England, or else!  We thought the castle was very interesting.  We opted to see only the State Apartments (and not the Queen's Dollhouse too) because of the difference in the queue. The Apartments were not disappointing.  Very stately.

We caught the Train from Windsor to Slough (rhymes with plow) and then to Paddington Station.  The travels cards that came with the London Pass paid the entire journey.  Then we hopped on the "tube" to King's Cross Station.  We attempted to see the British Library but they were closing early because it was a "banking holiday".  So we left without seeing a single document and found our way to our hotel.  It was a little out of the way, but not terribly so.  We got a little mixed up because we couldn't find any street signs, but after a few minutes found our place.  Easy Hotel- Earl's Court.  Checking in was no trouble.  We climbed up the six flights of steep stairs to our insanely tiny room (which I knew about when I booked).  We chose to think of it as cozy.  

Left with a few hours till bedtime (and needed to keep ourselves awake to stave off jet-lag) we decided to do some exploring.  We got off the tube at Wellington Arch, and admired it.

Nearby was a nice little park that leads to Buckingham Palace.  We strolled in the twilight with all the other couples.  Trees lined the pathway and blocked out a lot of the fading sun.

Buckingham Palace.  A nice place to reside I bet.  You can't go inside except in July or August, so we chose to see it an night- not surrounded by a zillion people trying to also watch the Changing of the Guard.  

A statue on the fountain in front of the Palace.  I loved the wings.  

A picture in front of the gates- hoping not to get snagged by the Bobby.

And then off to "home".  Our feet were tired.  Our brains were tired.  But we were happy to be starting our escapades and to have safely arrived in London.  We got online in the hotel and updated our "statuses".  :)  Well at least Dusty did.  I wrote in my journal and looked over the next day's plans.

What I learned from this day:

How glad I was that I had mapped out in advance what stations and tube stops to take.  It helped to be already familiar with names and routes and where things were.  

Always come over-prepared.  Over research.  Expect that things will have to be left out, but if you are left with extra time, it doesn't go to waste.  

Bring good shoes.  Spend the money and get ones that you can walk in miles and miles.  (please no white tennis shoes!  GAH!)  I tried on many many pairs and found a excellent fit.