Weekend Rewind

Another great weekend and it was packed full with new sites. We have been so lucky with great weather on the weekends and it looks like it'll continue.

Yal ready for a bunch of pictures??! Ok, good...

 Friday we went to Yauatcha for dinner. It was my first time trying dim sum and it was delicious. We ordered a pumpkin mushroom dish and it was decorated so adorable.

The Lola drink was so refreshing...lemongrass goodness!

We walked around the Carnaby Street area after dinner and stopped for some amazing carrot cake and blueberry tea.

        

           

The Spirit of Soho Mural

A pedestrian mall with all the stores you could want

As often as you use an umbrella here...guess they might as well be fun

Shakespeare just hanging out 

Saturday we made the trek to Borough Market and I can't wait to go back! It was exactly what I would think a market should be. There were so many booths to see...from homemade jams, to cheese, to bake goods and meats. We definitely got a true German Bratwurst with sweet German mustard and sauerkraut. I was in heaven! We picked up some French cheese, unpasteurized and thought it would be nice to try...lord bless it! It stunk to high heaven and was awful but at least we tried. 

That's the truth

Goat's Milk Ice Cream! Next time I must get the Apple Pie Flavor...the Mr wouldn't swap. 

Can we say carb overload!? 

The market is next to Tower Hill- home of the Crown Jewels. We walked across the London Bridge parallel to the Tower Bridge that is most recognized. We took a tour led by a Beefeater and he was awesome. I don't think I ever laughed so much on a historical tour. There were definitely plenty of American jokes and jabs. We stood in queue (yep, queue...you don't line up here) for the Crown Jewels even after a long day. They don't allow pictures inside and truly wish they did. All of the jewels were breathtaking! At Tower Hill there was also the Armour Hall. It was an extremely long day but so worth it all. 

The Shard

Tower Bridge

Bloody Tower...they leave no need for imagination

Our hilarious tour guide and Beefeater

White Tower

Always so serious

Inside here are the Crown Jewels

Armour Hall

Hey boy hey

The Keeper

It's expression makes me giggle

My knight in shining armor...I mean my knight taking a picture of me and shining armor 

Monkey-ing around

I'm not a tourist or anything am I?! 

Made our way back to the flat for a quick nap and freshen up for another night out on the town. We went to Aqua and had tapas. This chick even tried octopus. I was nervous bet after spending time speaking with the Spanish waiter he convinced me to try it...and after he kept pouring us some free rose cava. 

The Mr sneaked a picture of me chilling on the tube

View off the terrace at Aqua

Nervous Nelly about to try octopus

Sunday was a lazy day and a walk through Notting Hill for some dinner. After all the fun we had this weekend...a lazy day was just what I needed. Now I need to go to the grocery store since I didn't do it yesterday...Yal have a magnificent Monday! 

Cheers, Nelly

Flowers of Hyde Park

I share a backyard with the Royals...one day I am sure we will have a cookout together, play catch, maybe William will teach me how to play polo, and Kate can give me a hair tutorial... I kid. I kid.

But seriously Hyde Park is literally about 3 blocks away from our flat and is the backyard of Kensington Palace. I frequent the massive park for exercise, ride bikes, or just stroll and look at the gorgeous flowers.

Living on the edge

Palm trees in London?! 

Cheers, Nelly

Lessons of London...so far

I've been in London for a little over a week and let me tell you I sure have learned some valuable lessons so far...

- Trainers are tennis shoes or sneakers
- Trainers are necessary to wear when wandering the city so your feet don't look like this...

I don't even know how my leg got dirty...dirty city

- When you 'hire' a bike...aka rent a bike...make sure you only take it in the designated areas unless you want to get harassed by a rude Brit. (In my defense I was about 20yards away from the return bay and I was walking the bike not riding it in a no cycling zone)

- Don't buy too many groceries at once...you have to carry that stuff back to the flat

- Crossing the street, you must 'mind' the signs on which way to look if you want to live

 

- Walking in the city you pretty much just walk in front of people and you don't have to say 'excuse me' or 'sorry' or 'pardon me'...NADA!! Just do what you wish and be defensive. 

- If you want to visit a store in the evening...check the time first. They close so early compared to store hours in the states.

..To be continued as I learn more...

Cheers, Nelly

Weekend Rewind

Happy Monday Folks!

This past weekend was our first weekend in London together and it was filled with lots of new sites for me and a ton of walking...

Thursday I wandered into Notting Hill and walked the booths and some antique stores. Later we walked around the Chinatown area...

Friday the Mr made reservations at the Paramount Restaurant. It is on the 32nd floor of Centre Point and had awesome 360 views of the city. Afterwards we walked around the SOHO area of London...

Vegas in London

Saturday we got going on our day pretty early and walked to the infamous Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. Saw some extremely interesting people and items for sale. We went to Holland Park which was absolutely beautiful with all the different flowers and sculptures and who would of thunk it!? But there was a cow! In the middle of London!! It definitely reminded me of Texas. 

Hair all the colors of the rainbow- Notting Hill

The Cow of Holland Park

Mr Moo Moo

Flowers of Holland Park

 

Sweet Roses reminded me of my sister Calista

Friendliest Peacock ever

Sunday we decided to go to another local market, Camden Market just north of the city. It was a very eccentric area. We saw a manual lock and dam operate which was pretty intriguing. We also attended the Kenwood Estates English Heritage Fete. It was in the Hampstead Heath park which is hilly with amazing views of the city. I felt at home out in the countryside. 

Camden Lock and Dam

Bang Bang!

Creative Store Front Decor

Hampstead Heath Park

Kenwood Estates

Traditional English Field Games

After all the walking this weekend I thought I would partake in an English cocktail, Pimm's and Lemonade. I mean I did pretty much walk a marathon this weekend. 

Don't mind if I do! 

There ya go...a little rewind of our weekend. The weather was perfect and I can only hope it continues so I can keep seeing more wild and crazy things! 

Cheers, Nelly

To the Left, To the Left...

Everything in London is done to the left...

They drive on the left hand side, they walk on the sidewalk same as they drive (I mean I know we do this in the States, but still it is to the left), the doorknobs turn to the left, you unlock the door to the left, if the water swirled in the toilet I bet it would swirl to the left.

Helpful tip when crossing streets


Cheers, Nelly