Make-A-Wish Trip - London - Day 6 - Going Home

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 2:05pm. I had tried checking in the night before and had no luck. We had the wrong confirmation code for our flight back and the Delta ticket desk couldn't find our tickets. I called Salt Lake and let them know what was going on  and as I was talking I found our ticket number. I called Delta back and they gave me a new confirmation code. Whew!

We were so fortunate, and I am so grateful to Make-A-Wish. They think of everything. We had a cab ride back to the airport and it was prepaid. The only thing we needed to do was get our stuff together and be ready by 11am. Ryan wanted to take one more picture. He had picked up a Sonic screwdriver, a Dr Who accessory, and he wanted to go back to the Tardis and take a picture dressed up in his bow tie, holding his screw driver. As we made our way back to the Tardis, it began to lightly rain. Yet another miracle. We were in the land of rain and it only rained the first day we were there, and the day we were leaving.

The cab driver picked us up and we made our way back to the airport. She was very kind. She was from Prague and had been in England for 5 years. Most of the cab drivers there work for themselves. They get special certifications and that is their full time job. She told us that winter is her slow season so she has to save up during the rest of the year to make ends meet.

As we entered the airport, all of Ryan's dreams came full circle. There was a baby grande piano right in the middle of the airport with great big letters on it that said "Play Me". He looked at me and Brett and sat down to play. Ryan loves the piano. He is very talented. He has been taking lessons for 2 years now and has picked it up so quickly.

One last thing Ryan wanted that he was not able to have at any other time on our trip was a Lamb burger. We found an eatery at the airport that sold them. They were 11 pounds - the equivalent of $19. We had learned that we couldn't worry about the exchange rate on many things as we would have likely starved to death. Everything is so expensive because the value of the US dollar is so low.

We had a great trip, but it was sure nice to be home.

They were both exhausted.

Make-A-Wish Trip - London Day 5 - Chocolate and a Myriad of other things.

Monday was our last full day in London. We hadn't purchased any souvenirs yet and we knew that if we were going to, today was our day. Since we had missed the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, we decided that we would head back that way. Silly us didn't realize that in order to really see anything, you needed to be at the palace quite early. They allow people right up to the gate. Those who get there early see the pomp and circumstance. Those who get there late get to see a few guards, a few horses, and the band. It really is hard to make sense of what is going on otherwise. We decided that we didn't want to stand around for 40 minutes hoping we might see a few men in tall black bear hats.

Do not mess with the Police on horses. They have no problem backing their horses bums right into your face if you are not where you should be.

As we were leaving the palace we heard some loud bangs. At the park adjacent to the palace was another celebration. I walked up to the police officer that was blocking off the park and asked her what was happening and if it had to do with the changing of the guard. She kindly told me no, and that they were celebrating the coronation of the queen by having a 41 canon salute. It was quite impressive. There were people dressed in military type uniforms and they rode in on some beautiful horses that were adorned with armor. I asked her where the queen was and she told me that she doesn't come to things like that anymore. Fascinating. I'm pretty sure I would resent the Royal Family if I lived there. Everywhere you turn there are plaques letting you know that the gaudy statues are brought to you by the common taxpayer. Thanks England Peeps for being taxed to death so that we all can see statues. Oh yeah, and thanks for paying for celebrations to honor your queen, even though she doesn't feel that is important to even show up to her own party anymore.

When our friends were in London on Saturday they told us of a store called Primark. It is a clothing store and the prices are quite reasonable. We decided that we would find a snack and then make our way over to Primark to see if there was anything there that we could bring home with us. By the time we got to where the store was it was lunch time. We ate at a great sandwich/salad/wrap place. I got a salad that had hummus and quinoa on it. It was delicious, although my family didn't agree. My palate is definitely different than theirs.

We also found a convenience store where we began to stock up on chocolate. One cannot go to England without coming back with a boat load of chocolate. It is the rule.

Primark did not disappoint. We were able to get several t-shirts and a great Father's Day gift for Brett. We made our way back to our hotel to put our chocolate away and then we made plans to visit some noteworthy sites to take pictures for Ry. We were able to take pictures at Harry Potter's 9 3/4 platform, and Sherlock's door. We ate dinner at the train station and we headed back to Picadilly Circus to finish up purchasing the souvenirs that the kids had picked out the day before.

Make-A-Wish Trip - London Day 4 - Biking and the Science Museum

We must have all been tired. None of us moved until 10am Sunday morning. Our intention had been to go to church, at least to Sacrament meeting, but neither of us set an alarm and we were out. I'm not sure that I moved all night long -- my first night of actual sleep since we arrived. Ryan had wanted to go to the London Science Museum so we thought that this day was just as good as any to go. We all LOVED the museum. Alas, I am getting ahead of myself.

All around London there are bicycles for hire. You put your credit card into a machine and it spits out a code that will unlock a bike. Brett had wanted to have the experience of biking the streets, I did not want the experience. I was not looking forward to riding a bike without a helmet on the wrong side of the road. I've been hit once. I didn't want to experience another car. I lost. We rented the bikes and headed around the corner. The kids were doing great. I was a mess, but I followed behind making sure that if anyone was to get hit, it would be me. All was well until Ryan and I had given up a bit of space between Brett and Sydney and a double decker bus thought it a good idea to cut in between us all. It came very close to Syd. Ryan and I screamed for Syd to hurry out of the way. Then the crying ensued. I made it clear that riding a bike with children on the streets of London was a BAD idea. Syd felt like she had done something wrong. She hadn't. The bus just felt like it needed to be in between us all and it scared me more than I wanted to be scared on vacation. We ditched the bikes and then went and ate breakfast at a waffle place. They were delicious, and I now need to recreate the deliciousness at home.

After breakfast we walked to the Science Museum and to our surprise directly across the street was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We had no idea it was so close to our hotel. I felt horrible for missing, but told myself that perhaps we had made up for it by going to the temple just a few days before.

We spent hours in the museum. There was so much to see and I don't think we saw all that we could have. There were several exhibits there that allowed the kids to try fun things. Ryan was able to learn programming, and experience the amazing technology in 3D printing. Syd and I had separated ourselves from the boys and she spent a good hour in the Launch Pad room that had more activities than I can even remember. Because we had been separated for so long, I told Syd that we should probably make our way to find Brett and Ryan. For all I knew they were waiting in the front lobby. We went to the elevator and just as it opened, Brett came out. He had the same feelings I had and had come looking for us. He left Ryan at the exhibits and had been scouring the floors. I am happy that we were able to find each other and go back to where Ryan was having the time of his life. Sydney was able to make a craft that had lights sewn on it. We used conductor thread (I had no idea it even existed), and sewed stitches to the negative line of the light and the positive line of the light. We had a great time and were sad that they were closing as I would have loved to finish what I started as well.

 

The 'R' that Ryan made using a 3D Pen

Sydney's Craft. It's kind of hard to see, but the light on the left is lit up.

Yes, he was with us. He just always the had camera.

Thermal Heat Sensors...so cool

We left the museum and Brett wanted to try the bikes out again. We were very close to Hyde Park and he wanted to ride the bikes inside the park. He convinced me that we would not be on the streets again and we would just check out the park and be done. Well, we rented the bikes, rode the few blocks to the park and there was a sign on the park gate stating that the park was closed to bikes that day as there was a triathlon going on. Meh. As we were standing at the gate discussing whether or not we would ignore the sign (I'll let you decide for yourself what my opinion was), Sydney told us that she felt that her blood sugar was low. We checked and sure enough, she was in the 50's. She needs to be over 80 to be safe. So, our answer was made for us. We rode back to the nearest ice cream stand and got her an ice cream cone to bring her blood sugar up. By this time we were starting to get hungry. We ditched the bikes again and headed to get something to eat.

We found a place to eat and during our meal Brett realized that he no longer had his American Express card. We figured he had left it in the bike rental machine. It had been at least an hour since we left that place so we knew the chances of finding it were pretty slim. We walked back anyway just to check to see if anyone had taken it out of the machine and left it there. No luck. We then new that we had to make it back to the hotel so that we could call the credit card company. Brett couldn't use his International SIM to call a US number. I can't remember if I have mentioned this already, but I am SO grateful for Skype. I had purchased a $10 credit a few years ago and it came in handy several times on our trip.

After we had canceled the card we rested a bit and then headed back out to look around. We went to Picadilly Circus, London's version of Time Square and got dinner. We let the kids look at the things they might want to buy to bring home and then we called it a night.

Make-A-Wish Trip - London Day 3 - London Eye and a Big Surprise

As noon was approaching, Brett and I were getting a bit anxious to get over to the London Eye. We walked from Buckingham Palace to the Eye. It was lunch time and we were all hungry. Sydney had been begging for McDonald's since the time we got there. I hate that place. Our rule when we travel outside of our local area is that we have to try different food. No familiar eateries allowed. Today though, we needed to make an exception as we were pressed for time.

Ryan hates McDonald's as much as I do and had seen a sign to Subway so Brett took Syd into McD's and I took Ryan to Subway.

For the past 5 years Ryan has been interacting with the son of one of Brett's former co-workers. They are quite hilarious to listen to and they have become pretty good friends. For a day and a half Ryan kept telling us that he wanted to take the train/bus to see Benj. However, we knew that Benj was coming to see him, so we kept putting off the suggestion that we would allow him to go. He was getting a bit persistent, and we both put our feet in our mouths several times and had to recover.

Ryan and I got our food and headed back to meet Brett and Syd. McDonald's had a nice set of tables and chairs outside and we were hopeful to be able to eat with Brett, or at least take their seats when they were finished eating. We were very fortunate while in London, there was no rain most of the time we were there. The only downside was that it made for a lot of people. When we arrived back to McD's, the tables and chairs were full and Brett and Syd were sharing with a man and his daughter. Brett kindly gave up his chair for Ry and I stood near the table to eat my sandwich. Brett whispered to me that our friends were across the river and that he was going to get in a spot to video Ryan's reaction when he saw his buddy for the first time face-to-face.

I finished my sandwich and Ryan was scarfing his down. I had to remind him that the sandwich was not going anywhere. I kept watching the stairs for our friends. I finally found them as they were approaching us and I waved to Jez. They walked over to our table and Jez said something to Ryan. He didn't know who was talking to him. He looked passed Jez and saw Benj standing there. Ryan was SOOO excited.

We then spent the day with our friends. We sat in the park and visited, took a boat ride on the Thames river, and then rode the London Eye. The only downside to this day was that we were only able to spend about 4 hours with our friends. We were so sad that they had to leave so soon, but so grateful that they took the time, and spent the money to come and spend with us.

Miss Anna feeding the pigeons

This picture cracks me up. Anna wasn't hurting anything by feeding the birds, but it bothered her big brother :)

Doing what boys do best - electronics.

London Tower Bridge

Big Ben

Looking down from the Eye

Syd and her new friend.

Make-A-Wish Trip - London Day 3 - Tour of the City

On day 3 we were given tickets to the Panoramic Tour of London. We were a little apprehensive about the tour. We knew we would be boarding a bus, and driving around London. We had read a few forums online and the reviews were not great, but I have to be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I love history. I love old buildings and I love imagining a time long ago. If only I could travel back in time and walk the streets of the many places I have been. There is something about walking throughout a city that has been around for hundreds of years that fascinates me.

Our courtesy shuttle arrived at our hotel at about 7:35am. The gentleman waiting for us wasn't too thrilled that we were not standing in the lobby waiting for him, but we had forgotten our tickets so we had to go back up to the room to grab them.

We stood in line for our actual tour bus for about a half hour. We were a bit nervous as we were the only 4 people in line and there were many other full lines. I approached the ticket desk twice to double check that we were in the right place. The lady assured me that we were in the right place. As we were led to load our tour bus, we were combined with another group that was actually going on a tour for the entire day. The ladies behind us in line were so put out that we 'took their seats'. Ha! I didn't feel bad that we got first pick of the bus.

Our first stop was Westminster Abbey. We got off the bus and took a few pictures. It is fascinating to me that the people are taxed for all of the elaborate buildings. I know government works in such ways, but so much of it seems so unnecessary.


























After we took a few pictures at Westminster Abbey, we boarded the bus again and drove a few of the streets of London. We had a great guide that educated us as to what all of the buildings were. Once we got to a street where the bus could drop us off again, we stopped at St Paul's Cathedral. It was another beautiful building. There is a sign inside the front door that tells you not to take pictures. Such a bummer as there were some more fascinating things to see. Everything is so ornate. There was also a sign stating that you can come inside and pray with them for free, otherwise it is 40 pounds for a family to enter. I was grateful that we were with the tour group as it included the entrance fee.

Sydney did NOT like our visit to the cathedral At.All. I was so grateful for the sequence of events. Just one day before we were on the temple grounds and there is a peace there that is tangible. Being inside the cathedral was much different and she could tell the difference. It was a great teaching moment for us.

We were unable to tour the chapel at the cathedral as there was a wedding being held there. We were able to see the bride and I cracked up at all of the tourists taking pictures of her. We saw many women in the traditional hats that are worn in England. I think we should wear more hats in the US.

Ryan and Brett outside of St Paul's Cathedral

We were allowed one hour at St Paul's cathedral and then we were boarded back on our bus. Our driver drove us by the Thames river, and we passed Big Ben, Parliament, and other noteworthy buildings. Our tour ended at noon and it was getting close to 11am so we knew it wouldn't be much longer and we would be finished. The plan was to go to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard. When we arrived however, we were told that there would be no ceremony today as the guard was practicing a parade for the celebration of the Queen's birthday. We would have to return another day to see the change.

A very LARGE door at St Paul's Cathedral

Make-A-Wish Trip - London Day 2 - Football

One of the main reasons Ry wanted to go to London was to see a 'real' football (soccer) game. We spent much of the spring trying to solidify tickets. The England Premier League was in tournament and the teams that would actually play in London were not guaranteed a 'fixture'. When the date opened up for the England national team to play Peru at the end of May, we requested tickets for that team.

Ryan's favorite England team is Manchester United. We had the choice to fly into Manchester and stay there for a few days, or to go to London. After weighing pros and cons of each city, Ryan chose London. Getting tickets to the England National game was a win win as we were able to see some of the ManU players play in London.

We arrived back to the hotel from the temple and had a short window of time to change clothes, eat, and be back on the Tube to make it to our game on time. I feel bad as I had not read the tickets and doors opened at 6:30pm. We were barely there in time for Brett, Ryan and Sydney to see kickoff. I just missed it. There were 83,000 people in the stadium. The sound and the ambiance of the night caused the hair on our arms to stand straight up. We had a great time. Everyone was so friendly, and England won the game 3-0.

Before the game began, the crowd made the England flag with pieces of cardboard that were underneath the seats. We missed that part of the festivities, but we were able to use those flag pieces to make noise throughout the game. Some people made airplanes out of them and flew them on to the field. The stadium would be silent and then all of a sudden the crowd would go wild. The first few times I couldn't figure out what they were cheering for. Nothing was going on in the game that would merit such a cheer, but I soon learned that it was likely that an airplane was about to hit the field. The highlight of the night was when one of the airplanes hit a Peruvian player smack in the neck. Not only did the crowd go wild with cheers, but with laughter too. It was quite comical.