A London Adventure--Day 2

Ada walking to school

Day two on our London trip was overcast with a threat of imminent rain. The first task was to walk Miss Ada to her nursery school. At one year old, she is small; but, mighty. She walked most of the way. . .it did take 15 minutes instead of five!

Keira riding the bus

We headed to the bus stop to catch a bus to the Imperial War Museum (IWM). Miss Keira was excited as she hoped we would ride a double decker bus. Well, it wasn't a double decker; but, it was a bus!

In front of the IWM

The IWM is set up so you get to see the war through the eyes of the people who lived it. Many of the exhibits are interactive and there are volunteers/docents who can answer questions. While many of the exhibits were the same as when we visited a number of years ago, the whole museum was set up differently.

Miss K listening to the docent's description

My favorite area of the museum is the lobby. Miss K focused on every word that the docent spoke about the Spitfire, V-1 bomb, remains of a car after a bomb went off and a Nery Gun.

We spent several hours in the museum. Miss K wanted to see the holocaust exhibit which was floor number two. The staff recommended children be 12-14 to see the exhibit. Since we hadn't checked with Miss K's parents. we didn't visit the floor. 

Hot chocolate break

Miss K wasn't pleased with our decision. She was surprised when all of us (my husband, our daughter and me) said because we weren't her parents, we couldn't make that decision as there needed to be discussion between her mom and dad. Next, there needed to be a discussion between her and her parents.  

The first chance she had to call home, she described the situation saying it was history and she should be able to see and learn about history. While her parents didn't come out and say they were glad we hadn't seen the exhibit. They did say, she needed to be older and that the adults were in the right. 

Her favorite exhibit was the Morrison Shelter. This was a stay at home shelter used during World War II. It was basically a table that had a bed underneath it with screening on three sides.

The crumbs of a Cinnabon, cheese stick, salami mini
sandwich and mozzarella, tomato, pesto focaccia 
sandwich from Gail's

We walked toward Westminster Abbey; but, it started to rain. We were about to become drenched. Nicole pulled us into Gail's Bakery for sustenance and a break out of the rain. The hot drink and share dishes were terrific. We all mooned over the mozzarella, tomato pesto focaccia sandwich. Keira made it her mission to look for a Gail's the remainder of the trip.

Posing for a photo
By the time that we had finished our snack, the weather had cleared and we resumed 

our walk. Along the way, we happened by an iconic red phone booth. These are fewer than they were a few years ago. With most people carrying a cell phone, most of the booths are without an actual phone. Keira got a kick out of the phone and the booth!

Outside Westminster Abbey

We arrived at Westminster Abbey; but, it was closed to the public. On Fridays, school choirs practice to perform at the Sunday service. We did visit the gift shop.

Outside Big Ben

We walked along and we didn't say more than that we were walking back to the flat. When she saw Big Ben come in to view, she asked to have her photo taken so she had proof she was there!

Water taxi transportation

Then it was on to catch a water taxi for a ride back towards the flat. The water taxi runs along the Thames River. Many commuters ride it; but so do a lot of tourists! Miss K wanted to know what the pods were on the Ferris wheel. We explained she was looking at the London Eye! 

View of the "Walkie-Talkie"

We disembarked from the water taxi at London Bridge. She liked the view. I motioned toward the "Walkie-Talkie" building and pointed out the windows on the top floor. I told her that was where the Sky Garden was. We had tickets to go there on another day of our trip.

HMS Belfast

As we walked to the flat we stopped for a number of photo ops! 

Hay's Galleria

We made a stop at Hay's Galleria.

Black Egg sculpture

There was a pose at the Black Egg sculpture.

Tower Bridge

There were several poses with Tower Bridge in the background. She liked the pose with her Auntie best. 

The size of her fish

Back at the apartment, we decided that for dinner, we'd have fish and chips from the local shop. Nicole's partner and Miss K picked up the order. She was surprised to see actual potatoes being prepped for the chips! She couldn't believe the size of her fish. This was considered medium. She told Nicole's partner that she was glad he didn't order a large!

One order of chips

We had three orders of chips. We ate two; but, the third order we ate on another night! Keira ate ALL of her fish and at least her share of chips too! It was a full and extra fun day!