Honeymoon, year 12

Top 5 Questions about The Trip

 

Why did you go to London? 

We had frequent flyer miles to use up, Josh wanted to relax (i.e. English-speaking, familiar), and I wanted Europe. London was the perfect match for all three.

Why did you go to London in November?

It's cheaper. Besides, I like cold and rainy. Really. It's in my blood.

What did you do with those two mini-men you're usually carrying around?

We left them at home. They're really good boys, you know. But just in case they got lonely, we also left them with sweet friends/sitters who sent emails and picture updates daily, proving our sons were enjoying themselves far more without us:

Why didn't you see ________?

We'd been there before. We love Bath/Windsor/Tower/Oxford/WarRms/Harrods/etc. Just not this time.

How was it?

Even better than I expected. We love date nights, but we learned from our weekend in Gatlinburg last Christmas that overnights away are so much more romantic. As much as we relish each day with our boys, it takes many hours for said boys to leave my mind long enough to focus on my husband. I was anxious beforehand, but the prayers and encouragement of friends really helped me get over that (as did the aforementioned emails from sitters) so Josh and I could just enjoy being a couple in an amazing city we love. I highly recommend it. 

12 Highlights from The Trip

We pricelined for a hotel and won! ;) But seriously, we felt very lucky to get the Marriott Marble Arch: lovely, with an awesome pool/jacuzzi, concierge, and 4 blocks from Oxford St & Hyde Park via Edgeware Rd (Am I in Lebanon?) or Great Cumberland Pl (Nope, definitely London!).

Our daytrip to Dover whet our appetite to return someday: the castle is a giant, 900-year-old guest house for heads of state perched on the white chalk cliffs. The well in the castle drops 400ft and the cliffs hide tunnels from numerous war efforts.

I love how modern art surprises me and makes me think, so the Tate Modern was high on our list: the giant dark exhibition hall with a multi-story video screen, the double entendre paintings, the dead birds staked to the wall...

We love public transportation but especially in London where that means the most extensive "tube" I've ever seen and double-decker buses with fabulous views. Josh was very impressed with the underground structures, as you can see. Personally, I liked the buskers. (Yep - looked it up.)

Ever since Josh brought me Fortnum & Mason tea, I've been craving a personal visit. Old, elegant, and very serious about tea, it was the perfect London department store and shopping opportunity. My Black Friday, you could say. (If you're ever there, stop off at Walker's Pub (behind F&M) for fish and chips - best we had.)

We luxuriated over afternoon tea at the InterContinental hotel. The Wellington tea and the view of Monsieur Wellington himself (out the window, in the park, with pigeons) totally justified our splurge. That, and the two hours of caffeine-inspired conversation with my handsome man.

Our favorite neighborhood for dinner was off Oxford St around Duke and St Christopher's Place (Carluccio's, Bella Italia, Sofra): location, atmosphere, late service, delicious food (pollo crema! rhubarb tarts!) and a long conversation with some locals.

First we queued at the London Eye office and heard 44lbs/ticket. Then we ran over to Leicester Sq and bought tix for 14lbs/per. Then we rode, and enjoyed the views just as much as the schmucks next to us.

We could have spent every night and day in the British Museum and never finished. We could still be in it, really, but we'd miss our kids. So we focused on the stolen booty that has the Greeks up-in-arms: friezes from the Parthenon. Love the many ways the curators have found to say, Finders keepers! Na-na-naboo-boo!

And a few more Britishisms: "Super Natural" OJ, the Texas Embassy (oh dear), and the Duracell bunny?

We walked into numerous bookshops on Charing Cross Rd to find middle-aged men behind the counters who knew their stock by memory. They were even wearing tweed jackets. One offered me a 3rd edition Jane Eyre. Amazon, move over. I've found a new love.

Speaking of love...Just ask Josh to describe the many cars and dealers we saw around London (the above included). But make sure you allow some time for the answer.

All of which is really to say that while we had a fabulous time, we still have plenty of reasons to return. Someday.