The Sister Holiday [Part 2]

Let's get this Sister Holiday report on the road! About time - eh? 

Did you know that the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is a big deal? Like -- a really big deal? One tip: don't show up on time if you want to really see it. Show up early, and be ready for the crowds!

Since it is one of the things to do in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, I guess I should've known!

This was our first view of the changing of the guards -- not stellar:

Too many heads?

And with a little trimming I bring you: 

Still not a fabulous view; we wanted to get closer!

Thus, we finagled our way onto the other side of the roundabout. Then we had this view:

Getting closer!

Then this view:

And this was taken with the camera held high over my head --- but we were getting closer.

Then the heavens opened. Magic fairy dust started flying all around, and we got this view:

Wow! Once in a lifetime!

And brief! We had to keep moving, but it was amazing to be that close and get that view. 

Then we were off to a lovely and very fancy lunch at Patterson's Restaurant.

After a delicious lunch of monkfish seated by a real Lady (that's a capital 'L'), we were off to Shakespeare's Globe Theater and the Tate Modern.

We were loving this! History, literature, the Thames, art ..... it was -- as the Brits say -- brilliant!

We then crossed the Thames on this famous little bridge:

And off to St. Pauls we went!

Did you know that St. Paul's was badly damaged during World War II? About 10 days ago marked the 70th anniversary of the start of the blitzkrieg of Great Britain. Just this past week, St. Paul's hosted memorial services to honor those who died in World War II.

We then hopped back on the underground and headed north to Hampstead.

Hilary's favorite poet is John Keats, and to his house we went!

 

 

Look how happy she is!  Keats house remains exactly the same as it was when he was living. Isn't it charming? And check out his old neighborhood:

 

 

 

 

 And of my fav historical sign we saw in London:

 The White Rabbit. Love it.

I'll be back soon with more, more, more of this super fun holiday --- because we chocked it full, and there's still lots to share!