For Hire

Having spent about three years total in London, I know the city pretty well. And I love it. I love what's big and flashy about London like Big Ben, Picadilly Circus and the West End. And I love what's quaint and charming, places like Primrose Hill Bakery, the alleys off Hampstead High Street and St. Christopher's Place. I love it all! And I'm happy to show you around if you come to visit! And my tour guide services come cheap (if you're coming from the States, payment is accepted in all manner of US food stuffs). I really do enjoy taking people around London. My cousin's daughter, who is a university student in the States, was finishing her study abroad semester in Spain, and was able to stop off in London for a few days on her way back to the US. Her semester abroad was her first time in Europe, and so this would be her first time in London. We were all so happy to have her come!



I love seeing London all over again through the eyes of London first-timer. I never tire of these amazing sights! First stop was a city view riding the London Eye (which by the way has been rebranded as the EDF London Eye, not nearly as cool as the British Airways London Eye, and I don't care for the EDF Orange colour scheme either).




































In case you didn't know, I love Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. I never get tired of seeing this! Gorgeous iconic London at its best!




Speaking of gorgeous?












Amazing book seller's road in the West End! London's charming, almost mythical, corners could amaze the most curious soul for a lifetime.


I have never seen Green Park look so pretty . . .












The colours lining the square in front of Buckingham Palace




Your Majesty? Are you there?




Love random, exquisite sweet shops


St. Pancras Station faux filmed as the adjacent King's Cross Station in Harry Potter. The Platform 9 3/4 tourist photo-op trolley that was once inside the real King's Cross Station is now relocated to a far less exciting location outside of the station. Hopefully it's a temporary move during station renovations, but Harry Potter fans be warned, it's a little disappointing now.


I'm obsessed with doors, so I've been told :)


British Museum




Haven't taken a photo of this in about 6 years, so I thought it was time :)


St. Paul's


Tate Modern


Millennium Bridge










Albert Memorial


We decided to take a day-trip out to Stonehenge. It was something Jeannette wanted to see, and we hadn't been there in nearly 10 years (I remember changing Dallin's nappy here :). It was a chilly, damp day.


Audio guide tour












We headed 15 minutes south to charming Salisbury to see the town and the beautiful cathedral there.




I have seen an insane amount of cathedrals during my time in Europe, and mostly nowadays they sadly all start to look the same. So very few impress me any more. Salisbury cathedral knocked my socks off, without a doubt one of the most glorious, striking cathedrals on earth.






















Before heading home we headed up to Avebury on the other side of Stonehenge. It's another ancient stone circle formation, but it's on a much larger scale and unlike Stonehenge you are allowed to walk among and touch the stones. We got there with just barely enough light to catch a glimpse, but it was beautiful to see and the low light of the sunset created a unique experience, and cold!

Sport

It's always irritated me some that math is called "maths" here and sports are called "sport" here. But alas thus begins many differences between England English and US English, which is another subject matter entirely.



All three kids got involved in sport this autumn. Trevon and Madeleiene participated in football playing in a fun, low-key community football league, whilst Dallin ran cross country for the school's middle school cross country team. Although we are happy to have our Saturdays back (for the moment, anyway) these activities were great all the way around. Madeleine really enjoyed football and made some nice friends. Trevon enjoyed moments of football, but mostly enjoyed straying from the football pitch to wander and do whatever his little heart desired. At least he looked dang cute in his uniform!













Dallin had a great season running cross country, racing against fellow 6th graders and 7th and 8th graders. It was his first attempt at any kind of real running, and he managed to finish in the top half at every single meet and often in the top third. We are very proud of Dallin!


Warm-ups






And they're off!






Crossing the finish line


Registering his time




Replacing lost calories