Our European Tour (Part 1)

Thursday (May 5th): Our last real day in London....really sad. The morning was quintessential British weather with rain and overcast. We had breakfast at the Serpentine with Sue. I then met up with Zoe at the British Museum and had lunch at Wagamama. Afterwards met at Westminster Abbey for Eve and Song and saw all the wedding decorations still up! There were the trees lining the aisle, flowers in nooks and crannies and her bouquet on the tomb of the unknown solider. Finally went to a final hot chocolate at the Lanesborough's Library bar (also with Lena!) and then onto the Horgan's to sleep.

Vienna (May 6th): Arrived in Vienna where we met up with cousin Sarah, walked around a lot and saw all the major buildings and a really big church...In the evening we went to a film connected with Sarah's internship and then to a coffee house with piano music and a lovely ambiance.

Vienna (May 7th): Started the day with a visit to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna's performance. The fancy horses pranced around as if they were in a ballet. For lunch we round our way around a farmer's market before heading to Sissi's palace for a walk and a nap on the grass. In the evening we went to a food festival with lots of samples and then sat at a cafe. We got to the train station insanely early and then set off the stressful and scary "adventure" that was our overnight train experience....basically it was very confusing as to were we needed to be, very busy and very hectic (lots of jostling and running up and down platform). We finally found our way to our sleeping car and turned in for the night. Our cramped little room had three beds stacked right on top of each other like a submarine.

Krakow Day 1 (May 8th): The conductor woke us up as we approached Krakow and we entered the city to a gray morning. We arrived at our Hotel (Copernicus) and took a swim, sauna break and showers. Next we toured the concentration camps, Auschwitz and Birkenau. I have been to lots of museums about the Holocaust so it was very moving to actually see the camps. It makes me really appreciate all of my blessings and want to stop such atrocities that still occur in the world! Our tour bus dropped us off in the Old City, where we had lunch on the main square and walked around. In the evening we walked up to this old castle and there was a man dressed as a knight at its base. Daddy started goofing of with him and they started a "sword" fight. Little did Daddy know but as he continued to step backwards he reached a step and fell completely on his back! It was really really funny. We then rounded off our day with ice cream for dinner and a classical music concert in a grand old church!

I rather Kate day

So my day was rather creepily Kate Middleton themed....First, I got my hair cut today by James Pryce (her hairdresser) at a salon off Sloane Square. My Mom met me at the salon and we meandered around the King's Road before going to a KCWC Fashion Fayre and then to Jak's for lunch with Sue. After lunch we went back to the Fayre for a comedic routine about the history of "Knickers" aka pants aka drawers aka panties aka underwear....so that was strange....anyhow then she and I began walking around town and 1) went into the Phillip Tracey milliner shop (think the crazy British hats at the Royal Wedding) and tried them on, 2) walked past the Goring Hotel and 3) went into the Buckingham Palace shop in pursuit of commemorative tea towels.

I then proceeded to continue packing our ludicrously big new suitcase (it could fit probably three of me....) and hung out with Lena. This evening we went for coco at a restaurant in Maida Vaie over the canal with Mrs. Honey.

The Land of Harry Potter

Went to Oxford to visit Maria where I attended a lecture on something classical and Greek...Afterwards met up with the madre and (it's a small small world) Zoe Kaslow (from Girl Scouts and who just happened to run into my mom). Next Gregory showed us around and then took us to his college, Lincoln. There we had a cup of tea in the fellows room, very English and very fun. Last but definitely not least (in fact the best!) we went to "formal" dinner at Oriel aka The Great Hall from Harry Potter. The dining room was all dark oak, portraits and history. The students had to wear their academic robes and food magically appeared a la the house elves. Dinner was three courses and a very cool experience.

May Day

Happy May Day!

Church and then to Jaks with the Moe's and the Honey's for a delicious brunch. Plein air painting in Hyde Park followed (I did a pointillism poppy where Georgia O'Keefe and Seurat kind of met..) Rounded off the day with a healthy helping of ice cream. YUM!


Yesterday we met up with these really really sweet elderly couple who we met on Mothering Sunday at the club. They took the train all the way to London to visit with us-so nice! Joan and Peter Newey.

Royal Wedding Fever

THE BIG DAY!!! aka the Royal Wedding Day!

We walked down to Buckingham Palace and the crowds were insane-they had created big barricades at the edge of Green Park to prevent more people from entering. There was an intense carnival atmosphere and excitement in the air. We then took the bus to Chelsea for a viewing/brunch party at the Johnston's. Watched the ceremony/procession on tv and then ate the most delicious meal ever. Favorite parts of the wedding: when the ring would not fit over the knuckle and Beatrice and Eugenia's hats!

After that we went to another street party in South Kensington (thrown by the Horgans)- all the ladies were dressed up in the blue Issa dress Kate wore for the press conference which added a fun twist to the proceedings!

Finally we went to ANOTHER party at the Honey's. Mrs. Honey made a very impressive crown shaped pavlova.

We had a competition before the wedding to see who could most accurately predict by drawing the dress. My sketch was really close to the real thing! I had envisioned something a la Grace Kelly and Sarah Burton's dress was along the same lines. I think Kate looked gorgeous!

Court-eous Activities

Started off the day with a behind the scenes tour of the Old Bailey with Janet. We were shown around by a police officer and taken all over the court house and into the historic areas. The highlights for me included going to the basements, seeing Deadman's Walk (an outdoor corridor where a series of archways getting increasingly narrower to make the condemned feel even more uncomfortable), a dark tunnel leading from the court to a church across the street, a hatch leading down to the Fleet River, the roof and court room #1.

After the tour Mom and I went to Notting Hill for lunch at Nandos and to walk around the neighborhood. In the evening we went to a lecture at the Tower, followed by a stop at a pub with Tricia, Katherine and Andrew. We decided to walk back to the flat via Westminster, the Mall and Buckingham Palace--It was really surreal with tons of people milling about and camping on the side of the road...all in union jack attire. Very excited for tomorrow!

Easter Outings

Thursday the 21st: KCWC Palace and Prisons tour in Temple. It ended at St. Bartholomew's church and then we went out to pizza and for a walk.

Friday: Walked through Hyde Park and visited various statues (notably that of Peter Pan). Went to Notting Hill for the fish spa experience. It is like a pedicure but small toothless fish eat the dead skin off your feet...very strange. The Honeys came over for games (Charades, Liebrary, Boulderdash, Celebrities) and we ate lots of delicious varieties of ice cream!

Saturday: Visited a cool exhibition of past royal wedding cakes ("Eat Cake") at the Wellington Arch. There were lots of really ornately decorated cakes as well as models of the Queen's and Princess Diana/Prince Charles' wedding cakes. The Queens was 9 feet tall! Afterwards we made out way to the Seftel's for the weekend. In Winchester we toured St. Cross and the gardens and then walked to a big swimming hole where Dad and Paul swam.

Sunday: Attended the Easter service at Saint Cross where to the biggest surprise ever Gabriella Hills joined us! In the afternoon went on a delightful walk in a blue bell forest and then painted in the back yard.

Monday: Set off early for Highclere Castle otherwise known as the house in Downton Abbey! After touring the house and grounds we returned to London.

Tuesday: Went painting with the Honeys at a ceramic cafe (I made a plate on which I painted a red British bus and English phrases). In the evening attended an event at Banqueting Hall where an actor impersonated King James I (for the anniversary of the King James Bible).

Today: Woke up at 4am to see the dress rehearsal for the royal wedding procession. The bitter cold was worth it to see up close the impressive team of calvary, soldiers and carriages. There were several press crews present and the Entertainment Tonight reps and anchors were kind of embarrassing for the US...royally obsessed. At the reasonable hour of 9 am met the Honeys for Emilia's 9th birthday breakfast at the Serpentine restaurant and shared fun camaraderie. Parting ways I returned to the apartment to collapse in exhaustion until the afternoon when I stopped by Browns, went to Whole Foods and walked the length of the park. This evening took us to see Les Mis (I saw it 4 years ago). It was truly spectacular, better than I remember. The actors voices were some of the best I have ever heard in a musical production-phenominal!

Where Wills met Kate

Sunday: Went to a London Marathon watching party at Katherine and Gordon's. Then went to a Dartmouth BBQ at Imperial College with Sophia.

Monday: York with the Honeys. Visited Yurvik (a Viking museum with a fossilized human poop...hehe), the Minster, the railway museum, a National Trust site, the Roman wall, Betty's, the Shambles, etc.

Tuesday: Visited St. Andrews and met up with Emily Dunn. Our tour took us to the expected places: the Links Golf course, the castle, the cathedral and then school. Had drinks at the Jigger Inn then dinner at "The UKs Best Thai Restaurant".

Wednesday: Took the train to Aberdeen and set out to follow "our roots" to the Birnie Inn/Church and then MacDuff (where my Mom's grandfather was born). After looking around MacDuff we went to a really windy town perched on the edge of the sea. A narrow road skirted the coast and had a sharp drop to the beach. Thinking there was a turnoff road we drove quite a ways down only to discover there was no road and no good way of turning around...luckily a nice local man was there to back out our car for us! It was quite a pretty pickle. At the mans suggestion we then visited the super isolated and very quaint town of Covie. It too was nestled at the base of steep hills right on the seaside. It consisted of a row of small beach cottages, weathered with time and puffing smoke from their chimneys. Lastly there were lots and lots and lots of fields full of baby sheep-THE CUTEST!

Drowning in the Cotswolds

Went to the Cotswolds today to go Aqua sphereing. Had brilliant memories of doing it in 2007 but this time was rather upsetting in a "I am going to die!" kind of way. Being mid-April it was a semi-overcast day and not warm enough to warrant submerging one's self in frigid water. That was the main problem-the sphere was so full of water that as my Mom and I tumbled down the hill my head was periodically under and I feared drowning. Sounds all very dramatic and overblown but during the 20 second experience I was rather traumatized.

Anyhow...after sphereing we continued our day in much pleasanter pursuits driving and walking through numerous quaint villages. In one we stopped at an ice cream factory and talked with the dairy farmer who ran it. He showed us all the cute baby cows and I also saw numerous lambs. LOVE! Another vivid memory is that of the Rape seed fields blooming vibrant yellow.

This evening Sophia Johnston and her family came over for dinner and we all played Liebrary.

Not to Shabby

Went to the country side (north of London) for a house tour with the KCWC.

Then had dinner with a past student of Ralph Potter.

Bee-ing active

Had a bee keeping class at the Chelsea Physic Garden..realized bee keeping isn't for me-too complicated!

Then went to a spa day and got my nail painted sparky pink!

Finally the highlight of the day: Going to Roddy's 30 years on the force party at-duh na na na- THE TOWER OF LONDON!!! In the Yeoman Warder's Club. Very cool and very fun. Watched the Changing of the Keys and had a really neat tour of the Tower. Muy divertido!

Walking, Walking and more Walking

The 8th: Visited Disraeli's house in High Wiccombe with our Culture classmates, Katherine, Kathy, Vicky, Sue, Eva, etc. It was stupendous weather and we walked through the grounds. On our way there the rest of the group stuck to the road but the fam picked our way across a pond via some broken up pieces of a concrete dam. Once back in London mommy and I made our way to Whole Foods...on one bike.

The 9th: Rosie arrived at Victoria coach station and we set off for a country walk starting at Hever with members of the group from the day's previous outing. The walk took us so scenic meadows and paths. We passed a castle, large manor house, several historic churches and numerous picturesque houses. After a stop for dinner at a local pub, daylight began to wane and our hike continued into the night and darkness. It was very surreal, very funny and quite intrepid of us. We were not on clearly designated paths but crossing wide fields. At one point we saw some looming white shapes, wondering what they could be we were greeted with a herd of cows. One was ridiculously huge (seriously the size of a pick up truck!) and looked ominously over at us..seriously scary...I was through that squeeze gate as fast as possible. After ages, we found our way to the train station (Leigh) and were on our way back to the city. On the train these ridiculously overdone girls (think no clothing, orange skin and big white hair) kept laughing and obsessing over the poodle who was on the walk with us. It was so so funny.

Slept like a rock after our 10+ mile walk!

The 10th: Sunday saw Rosie and I covering a lot of ground as we made our way all around the city. Lots and lots of walking. Our journey took us to Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Westminster, Big Ben/Houses of Parliament, by the London Eye, back to 10 Downing St., up to Trafalgar Square, into the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, to Covent Garden, to Pain for a Pavlova, to Spitalfield's Market, Brick Lane, South Kensington and Jak's, Hummingbird Bakery, Tower Hill, The Jack the Ripper tour, Oxford Circus, Regents St. and finally Piccadilly. We were absolutely zonked.

The 11th: More sightseeing with Rosie took us to: Burlington Arcade, Bond St, South Moulton St, Oxford Circus, Notting Hill, by Kensington Palace, onto Whole Foods, a little more walking in the park and then on an old 40's #9 bus back to our flat. In Notting Hill we round our way through cute streets and window shopped. The weather was absolutely tremendous and we had to change into cooler clothes!

Set of again this time to the Old Bailey (only to be turned away...) We proceeded to the Bank of England where we quickly perused the exhibit. After walking around the old city a bit more we were very weary and made our way to Westminster Abbey for Eve and Song.

After the service Rosie and I went to the Lanesborough for tea and coco. We sat in the Library bar by a warm fire and had an absolutely charming time. I love the ambience of the hotel-it is my absolute favorite!

Finally Giles (the barrister) came over for dinner and we played Liebrary.

The 12th: Rosie and I attempted to go to the old Bailey and sat in on a very unclear trial....something to do with a dark nightclub, a handbag and a gun...Afterwards we walked to Tower Bridge, along the Thames and to the Millennium Bridge. The sad time when Rosie had to depart was drawing near and we returned to the flat for the Culture class potluck. I escorted Rosie to the coach station and she was off. That night we went to a Pub Quiz at the Flask in Hampstead with Gareth and two of his friends.

Today: Another tremendously busy day! Started off the day at the Wellcome collection to see the permanent exhibitions and one on dirt. The highlights were a shrunken head, a Peruvian mummy and some of the King George's hair which was examined to see why he was "mad". Then it was onto Hampstead to visit the Fenton House, a museum on Hampstead's History, a delicious lunch and the architect Goldfinger's House. At about 3:30 we got back on the tube bound for Chelsea to visit the historian Carlisle's house. After touring our third National Trust sight for the day we went to Jak's for dinner. Next we went to Harrods and then finally onto the Haymarket Theatre to see Flare Path, a play set around WWII RAF pilots (staring Sienna Miller). I throughly enjoyed the play!!!!

Glorious Sunshine

Started off the day at the East India Club on St James Square for a lecture on the history of interior design and architecture in the 17th century. Later went to Baker and Spice in South Ken for a delicious lunch and to soak up the continuing glorious sunshine. Hot footed it to the BBC for a very dull lecture on 'The Art of the Interview' with Libby P..something (used to edit Tattler and hosts a radio show on BBC 4). Next stop St. Johns Wood to meet up with Maria and walk to Primrose Hill for a cupcake and camaraderie. Spent the rest of the evening chatting.

Interesting tidbit I took away from the lecture. Madam Pompadour had her sights set on Louis 14th and arranged for him to come upon her in his hunting park. Scantily clad, she "fell" off her horse just as he past. When he came to her aid she took off her frilly garter and put it on her head (at the time woman wore hats when addressing the king). Upon becoming his mistress Madam Pompadour popularized larger and more elaborate hats or pompadours. This then was reflected in interior design as chair backs became higher to aid in supporting the head and hat.

"The History Girls"

Started off the day to a museum about England during WWII and the Blitz. Since it was a lovely sunny day we then walked about for a little before heading to the train station for a jaunt to Windsor. Once there we walked around the town and window shopped in Eton. Inspired by the glorious weather we rented a row boat and set out down the river Thames and explored some very jungly offshoots that made me feel like we were in the Danube and would be subject to an imminent crocodile attack.

The next order of business was nourishment and selected a restaurant called The Tower. Within 30 seconds of sitting down the waitress knocked two glasses of water straight into my lap!-thankfully they had a hand dryer in the bathroom which I used to dry myself up.

Our final stop (and reason for the day-trip) was a lecture by three female writers and historians (Allison Weir, Kate Williams and Sarah Gristwood) about the last thousand years of royal weddings and their new book The Ring and the Crown.

Happy Days and Birthdays

Had Tricia's class (focusing on post-war Britain) and lunch at the UWC. Always enjoyable! By the time we got home it was already quite late and we needed to leave to surprise Andrew Honey with a birthday celebration!

Piecing together the last week

Wednesday went to a Taylor Swift concert at the O2 with Liz Lowey. We got front row for three of the songs and I met Mrs. Swift. I gave her a lace headband and she gave me a hug. Then at one point she did the heart sign at me....We however were not invited to the T-party which was such a bummer.

Then on Thursday we went to Windsor and had a "behind the ropes" tour of the castle with a fascinating tour guide. Following our look-around we went to lunch with Sue at Wagamama. Back at Waterloo we quickly turned around and got on a train to Hampton Court for a talk by the writer and producer of the Tudors.

Spent Friday with Liz around the city. Started off shopping Oxford, South Moulton and St. Christopher's Place, then went to a museum adjacent to Sommerset House (lots of Impressionist works, Seurat, Manet and moderns..), ran into Alex White!, had tea and a look-see around Liberty, and stopped by the fancy-schmany gold cave for macaroons. That evening saw the murder mystery, 8 Woman, with Katherine and Gordon.


Saturday I went to Liberty to pitch my headbands, said goodbye to Anita, went on a long walk through Hyde Park and met up with Sophia and Nick in Chelsea.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and we went to church, the Evolving English exhibition, brunch at the club (where we talked with a lady whose house/legends were the inspiration for Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre) and had dinner with the padres, Sue, her husband and Roddy.

Today we went to Becensfield again to visit with the Moe's and then saw The Children's Hour (starring Keira Knightley and the woman from Mad Men). It was extremely good and thought provoking-a really powerful play! Frustrating and emotional it is one of the better dramas I've seen.

Hola

Tricia's class, lunch, visited amigos at Browns, Evolving English exhibition (met a nice girl from California) and then a talk at Mayfair Library by author Cyrus Moore on his book City of Thieves. Liz Lowey arrived today.


Yesterday: Went to a preview of a clothing line, Carlisle, at Lady Tessa Balfour's house in Chelsea, biked through Hyde Park and went to a talk at the British Library, "Writer's on Writing".

Also I have been nursing a basil plant back to life and it's thriving. YAY!

Scholarly Sunday

Took the train to Cambridge to watch "So You Think You Can Dance Science?" in which scientists danced/choreographed their phDs. Afterwards we rented a boat and punted along the river through the mighty picturesque colleges. At one point we had a collision with another boat and out bow drove atop theirs...This evening took us to the BBC studios to watch the filming of a pilot radio program called 49 Cedar St. It was quite entertaining and comical (especially when the whole audience chanted "Ampersand, Ampersand, Lovely Lovely, Amepersand" like Druids.

Sun at Last

The last few days the weather was glorious. We went to the Seftels and pretty much just relaxed...taking lots of walks, visiting an Old Mill, having tea in Jane Austen's old town, listening to a big band concert and watching Shakespeare's Measure by Measure (so not funny...) at Winchester College.

Today took us to the British Library for a talk by Anders and to look at all the historical documents housed there. Afterwards I met up with Maria and her friends to go watch the Oxford Cambridge boat race. Unfortunately it was quite overcast and the river bank VERY crowded. Oxford proved victorious, a happy ending considering I was with all Oxford students.

FERRAGGGGGAAAAMMMOOOOO

So Emily came to visit. We had a mucho fun time...boating in the Serpentine, having lunch and cupcakes with Hillary Udow, seeing the world's worst play ever Shoes, playing Library, going to Borough Market and visiting the Moe's house in the country.

On Monday we took a day trip to Lyme Park otherwise known as Pemberly aka Mr. Darcy's house. Nice pastoral walks and multiple pictures next to the lake (where the famous diving scene occurred....)

Tuesday consisted of Tricia's class, lunch, Borris Bikes and Betty Blue Eyes the musical.

Today Was A Fairytale

Today was an AH-mazing day. Had a hilarious and supremely awkward photoshoot with Maria (put your face together and touch palms....) and then went to a private Taylor Swift concert at Abbey Road Studios with Lena. The concert was for only 200 people and we got right in the front row center. The acoustics were really fab, she sang really well and it was very civilized (no shoving or jostling for space). Literally stood 2 feet from her for the 12 song set. Truly magical and fun! Afterwards I tried to get some headbands that I made to her...Gave one to her drummer and he said he would pass it along, so fingers crossed (its a purple Impressionista! so if you see her in it....)

Happenings.

Monday: Imperial War museum and riding the Borris Bikes through Hyde Park
Tuesday: Tricia's class, British Library, Janet and Roddy's for dessert.
Wednesday: Went to Dulwich for lunch and then went to a talk by the past editor-in-chief of Time Out.
Today: Duchess of Windsor and Kate Middleton see-through dress auction. Bid on some fab lace jackets owned by Wallis Simpson but was majorly outbid...

A jaunt to Devon

Got back from a weekend in Devon. Went to the Teignmouth Science Festival which kicked off with the recording of "Any Questions?" a BBC radio show. The following day we drove across the moor to visit the Honey grandparents. This was no small feat as the car was a stick shift and the roads were very very very narrow. It was actually rather frightening as we stalled out numerous times on hills and just barely scraped through the country lanes...but we made it! On the way we saw some wild ponies. My favorite was a brown and white one that had an unfortunate wound on its back and bites out of his ears. He was really friendly and I dubbed him "Rusty"....wish he was mine. So cute, short and shaggy. When we finally found are way to the Honey's house (an adapted historic church) we had a DELICIOUS roast chicken meal with all the trimmings. Yum Yum Yum. In the field next to their house were a bunch of darling lambs.

After lunch we visited an Elizabethan estate, a very grand place.

Then it was on our way to return for David Haines singing production. The choir was made up of members of the community and school children-a very sweet group!

The following day we went to Agatha Christie's house which was in a lovely location overlooking the vividly blue Dart river. The day was gloriously bright with flowers blooming and a warm sun!

Today Mommy and I went out to lunch, did some errands, visited the Imperial War museum, went to Whole Foods, took a walk and rented Borris bikes for a pedal through Hyde Park!

Cool Double Banana!

Free Time is Fun Time

Yesterday I went to my first culture class at the UWC. Sofie met us for lunch afterwards and then she and I walked by the Serpentine and had a cup of tea at the Lanesborough. Then in the evening madre y you went back to the UWC for a "Library talk" given by a vivacious old woman (who was straight out of a Miss Marple movie).

On Monday I went to the History of London class at the Carlton Club, a musical concert, the Royal Wedding walking tour and a potluck at church.

Sunday visited the Tower Bridge exhibition, the design museum, St. Catherine's docks and some other places.

Inside Job

Saw the movie Inside Job with the Horgans. Made me mad and really question what our country is doing. I am truly aghast and want to instigate change

The Queen's Favorite?

Yesterday I swung by Browns to say goodbye to Romilly on her last day. I gave her a tweed headband and I hope she likes it/wears it. Next I met up with Sofie, Lena and my Mom at the Savoy for a cup of tea. We sat in the palm court and chit chatted while sipping our beverages and listening to the piano music. Our waiter, Matthew, was quite the character expounding on numerous subjects for quite a long duration! I choose the 'Queen's Favorite' tea...it was good.

After tea Sofie, mommy and I toured the Jewel Tour museum by Westminster Abbey, walked across the Tower Bridge, visited Zandra Rhodes' London studio and sampled our way through Burrow Market. Zandra was not in her studio but all the other employees were really nice and quirky. Multiple sported technicolor hairstyles!

That evening my mom and I met up with Janet and Roddy in Trafalgar Square for World Book Night. Despite being freezing the event was extremely enjoyable. The program consisted of a range of famous authors reading excerpts from novels, my favorite was hearing Phillip Pullman read from The Golden Compass. We finished the evening testing our own literary abilities playing the game LIEbrary. I won! ;)


Today we went to Richmond to have lunch with some acquaintances. Post-meal we toured Kew Gardens and saw lots of tropical flowers!

I am really bad at this...

So, I am keeping this blog as a way to remember everything I have done over my gap year but it's kind of failing as I always forget to actually record my happenings....

I have been ridiculously busy and will try to piece together everything at a later time...but major things that spring to mind.

I finished my classes at Blake and received a 'distinction' in photography (hahah so exciting, I know!).

We went to Belgium on the train. We packed super light so we could go touristing without stopping to drop off our stuff at the hotel. On Friday we toured Bruges and ate lots of delicious food including CHEESE! and a banana milk shake. The town was really cute with picturesque canals and a big guild tower.

My Mom and I returned to Brussels where we met up with the lovely Rosie Bichell. That night we walked around the Grand Place, saw Manneken Pis (so not exciting..), and ate.

The next morning we ate a delish breakfast (blood orange juice!) and attempted to sneak away with lots of little personal jams. We had a whirlwind tour of sightseeing stopping at a garden called the Petite Sablon (I think...), visiting a church, drinking hot chocolate, going to the musical instrument museum (you see an instrument and hear its sound), walking about, eating lunch and going to the big Atom building/monument.

We unfortunately had to say goodbye to Rosie which was terribly sad. That evening mis padres y yo went on a walk and then mommy and I had more hot chocolate on the Grand Place.

The next day we did more strolling, visited the Museum of Brussels where we saw all of Manneken Pis's outfits....., and had lunch at Pain (I love Pain)...


Got back to London and visited with the Hinkleys. We did lots and lots of stuff with them....walking around, museuming (Portrait Gallery, Museum of London, Wallace Collection, etc...), sat in on some cases at the Old Bailey, went to Eve and Song at Westminster Abbey, saw the play a Flea in her Ear, had dinner with the Honey's, played Library...

( I am using a lot of ....s)

Then it was my last week at Browns which was very sad. On my very last day I assisted with a photo shoot which was very fun. The theme was kind of a coquettish Parisian chic. We had a model, hair stylist, make-up, and an entire mansion in Belgravia to shoot in. Plus the clothes were AH-mazing! We shot six looks over basically the entire day. When we finally got back to Browns I saw some of Simone's shoot and then we had to hurriedly return all the stock. Jof made me a card with my face photoshopped as Hermione.

Since then I can't even remember all I've done....

Yesterday I visited with Lena at Blake, went to the British museum, walked around Hampstead and the Heath and then we had dinner with Giles (the barrister) at a Tapas bar.

Today we went to Richmond and out to lunch with Tricia and Katherine at a French restaurant. We walked a little in the park but the majority of the day (4.5 hours!) was spent chit chatting at the restaurant.

Spoiler Alert!!!!

Love Never Dies...


But Christine did...



Saw the play Love Never dies, the sequel to Phantom of the Opera tonight. It was really strange but the people had good voices. We were in the front row in the center so I got a big kick out of watching the conductor.

A Blitz of activities

Saw the black swan then attempted to go to a Blitz party but failed and then went out and just had fun with Lena and Sofie.

Then went to Chinese New Year with Daddy, Sofie and Lena. Waited forever through some mighty boring speeches and a dragon dance and a lion dance. Then tried to maneuver our way through Chinatown (no easy feat). We gave up on trying to eat Chinese food as all of London also wanted too. We found an Asian fusion restaurant with really intense decorations/ambience. The menu was all done on the sort of touch screenish table top. After lunch we went onto dinner at the Honeys!

Then tonight after Blake classes I went to Blake pizza night! I sat with Lena, Sofie Elonna, Kasha and a russian girl.

Charles I Commemoration

Construction...

There is construction being done right below our apartment, jack-hammering construction.....ekkkk I have a headache.

On a brighter not today I went to the British museum and a vintage fair in a bowling ally with Sophia Johnston. it was really fun and I got some gloves, a scarf and my lovely best find ever I am so excited "Sheperd's" notebooks!

Then my dad and I went to a kinetic art fair where we look at lots of cool moving art.

Next Sofie and Lena are coming over to eat and then go see the Black Swan. I really hope I don't get to scared.

GORGEOUS Christmas Decorations at Fortnum and Mason

Honoring our Heroes

So British

It was really cold...

I love Pavlova, and the Honeys

Ducks are pretty

Tea time at Perry Cabin

HERE BEGINS A PHOTO BLITZ

Alanna and I trick-or-treated together

I miss mi madre!

26th: Dinner with the MacAllister family (BEST NAME!)

27th: Went to a talk of a Countess who is the face of the clothing line Carlisle.

28th: My birthday! Went to work and everyone was really nice and sang to me. Lewis gave me a chocolate bar, Simone gave me some delicious cookies and my lovely intern friends gave me a pretty headband! Then we had a birthday celebratory dinner with the Honeys, Roddy, Lena and Sofie. We ate a delicious vegetarian dinner of salads, roast vegetables and Whole Foods bread. Then a delicious apple crumble for dessert. After eating we played charades!

29th: Went out to lunch and then saw Apasionata. A man rode standing up with one leg on two horses while leading two others and then jumped over a flaming jump! Also there was a TINY horse and a HUGE Clydesdale. Also these horses rode around with sparklers on their legs.

30th: Went to a commemoration of Charles I execution with the Honeys and then out to lunch with the Honeys.

31st: Lunch with Sofie and Lena at a weird Turkish restaurant where they took forever but gave us lots of free food!

Happenings

Tuesday the 18th: Leighton House museum tour

Wednesday the 19th: Royal Institution Music and the Brain lecture

Thursday the 20th: "The Making of The King's Speech" with the director and Colin Firth then to Green Notes to hear Jaime's music

Friday the 21st: Lunch with Trish Moe and then dinner at the Honeys

Saturday the 22nd: Tower of London with Lena, REALLY late lunch at Pain, Mike Fortier for dinner

Sunday the 23rd: 2nd concert by Jaime and a walk. Meet the new baby Isla

Tuesday the 24th: Dinner with Will McNamara

I love my sister

Wednesday: Went to lunch at Pain with Mommy and spent the day at Blake. In the evening sat through one half of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Thursday: Ate lunch at Cocorino with the fam. Quickly went to a Christies gathering after Browns and then went to see the movie "The King's Speech".

Friday: A swan bit me and I had to say goodbye to Quincy! So triste. After Browns the Seftels came over for more Mexican, the tacos this time were beyond delicious.

Saturday: Made our way to Portobello Road and Notting Hill to have some lunch and a delicious Hummingbird Red Velvet cupcake! Then strolled to Kensington Palace to see the Princess Exhibit. Ate a delicious dinner and then made our way to a Murder themed London walk.

Sunday: Watched Downton Abbey. Love it! Went on a walk with mi padre. Then the family went on the Westminster in War London walk then made Alo Gobi from scratch (so delicious and so proud of us!)

Busy Busy

Friday: Taco Night with Hobdens, Gareth and Sophia Johnston
Saturday: "Meet the Meerkat experience", hung out at Paradise Park and dinner at the Cook's house
Sunday: Cotswalds (Lacock...and some other towns), dinner at the Bell, Downton Abbey at home. First zip car outing, car ran out of battery, zip car called to tell us while we were eating dinner, they called AAA and comped the car!
Monday: War Horse the play
Tuesday: More tacos! Then pub quiz with Tom Hobden + flatmates and Quincy

Dark Dinner

Walked around Notting Hill and of course had to buy a Hummingbird slice of cake!, went to Topshop, visited Eaton Square in search of 165 from Upstairs Downstairs. Then for the finale of the night our "Dark DInner". Went to a restaurant where you are served in complete pitch black darkness. Our waiter kept creepily hovering behind me without me knowing until he would suddenly speak!

Brighton and Cooking Class

Visited Brighton where we ate lunch, walked through the shopping lanes and strolled out on the pier where we played this silly 2p coin arcade game. In the evening we had tea at the Grand and saw Cinderella the Musical.

This morning it was out early for our Indian cookery class (a Christmas present!). We learned all about Indian spices and how to make a chicken curry, alo gobi, lentil soup and special rice. Then it was a visit to a scale-model of the city of London.

New Years

Saw Chronicles of Narnia in 3-D! Then saw a massive fireworks of display by Big Ben and the London Eye.

Yesterday almost froze to death at the New Years Parade and on a walk of the new Olympic Park. Finally ate Indian food an watched tons and tons of episodes of Glee.

Today was Taco day Numero Uno with the Honeys and John's aunt.