70 Days Ago

70 days ago, Jeff, me and the Montgomerys were spending our last night in Paris. What a wonderful trip that was! 72 - 74 days ago, I had planned on blogging about this trip since it would be fresh on my mind, but instead, I put it off. Sigh. At least, I took notes on my phone while we were away. What would I do without the notes app on my iPhone? Well, I would probably go back to using a pad of paper and pen and get along just fine, but I'll take the convenience of the app any day!

Before our 3 day trip to Paris, Jeff and I had been touring around London with his parents. Let me say that when the Montgomerys take a vacation, they get as many sights in as possible. We were always on the go - even the dreary weather that accompanied most of the trip didn't phase us! There was so much that we all wanted to see and do. Sure, we all had our "we are so tired, we want to pass out" moments, but as Clark W. Griswold says every year when we watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, "Ah, it's all part of the experience, honey." And so, I'll leave you with some moments of our London experience with Jeff's parents (Paris photos on next post). We had such a great time with them and are already looking forward to their next trip over - whenever that may be!

Mr. and Mrs. M arriving at Heathrow.

Goodies from the states.

Monk getting his time in with Mr. and Mrs. M.

First bus ride in London.

Jeff and me by the Thames, Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge.

Jeff and I again by the Thames and in front of Parliament on a different day.

One of my favorite photos that I've taken in London so far. This will be framed!

A look up Westminster Clock Tower.

Jeff and his parents with the Eye and Westminster Clock Tower.

Westminster Abbey Bell Tower

Westminster Abbey

Jeff and Mr. M buying us some nourishment (steamed buns filled with pork) on Day 1 (aka the Death March).

Abbey Road Studios.

Jeff and I walking in the footsteps of the Beatles.

Jeff's parent's turn.

Ben Franklin's home from 1706 - 1790.

Segment of the Berlin Wall outside the Imperial War Museum in Southwark.

The British Museum

The Rosetta Stone in the British Museum.

We got to see the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals on display at the British Museum before the Games.

Jeff and Mr. M standing in the very center of London.

Yep, that's a nose in the Ministry of Defense's Admiralty Arch.

Us taking a nice stroll down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace.

Jeff and I at Buckingham Palace.

Horse Guards Parade

His Majesty the Yoda.

Cute museum next to 221B on Baker Street.

221B Baker Street

                       
 

Love the wall tiles in Baker Street tube.

Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street tube.

St. Paul's Cathedral, a 17th century church atop Ludgate Hill (City of London's highest point).

Shakespeare's Globe Theater

 Listening to the Yeoman Warder (aka Beefeater) during our tour of the Tower of London. 

Jeff and I in front of Tower Bridge.

I was highly anticipating our visit to London Bridge... well, here it is - disappointing and dull. Even Mr. M was videoing something more interesting.

The London Eye.

Our view of Parliament from the Eye.

We were surprised to stumble upon this parade that was in honor of the Queen's 86th birthday. A bit late as her birthday was April 21st. Short video of the parade below.

                                            
                                                                  

Freestyle Wrestling and a Baby Shower

Jeff and I finally got to attend our Olympic Event yesterday - what a day that was! Before I go into details, let me fill you in on the rest of our weekend. Friday was a night in for us. Jeff got back from Germany last Thursday night, so we tried out a new Indian restaurant and watched movies. On Saturday, we went to Harrington Hall Hotel in South Kensington to pick up our official tickets for our Freestyle Wrestling event at the ExCeL Center. After that, we went to Covent Garden for a sweet treat from Yuforia and to purchase an American flag (ended up buying a cute scarf instead) before checking out Tower Bridge, which was decorated ever so nicely with the Olympic Rings.

Harrington Hall Hotel in South Kensington

Waiting for our tickets.

Mandeville, the Paralympic Mascot, dressed as a Beefeater in front of Tower Bridge.

Jeff and I in front of Tower Bridge and the Olympic Rings.

Flower Seller Mandeville in Covent Garden - currently going for £1,899.00.

Tourist Wenlock in Covent Garden - currently going for £1,220.00.

On Sunday morning, Jeff and I were at the tube by 6:15am to make the trek to the ExCeL Center. On the way over there, we ran into Jared Frayer's, the American wrestler in the 66kg division, Aunt and Uncle, who are from Houston! What a small world! We talked with them a bit before the crowds at the venue separated us. Unfortunately, Frayer didn't make it past the quarter-finals, but a fellow American, Jake Varner won the gold for the 96kg division. Jeff and I were able to see all matches up to the final, which our tickets didn't include. It didn't matter though; we still had a great time! The atmosphere was amazing and how awesome it was to chant "USA" at an Olympic event!!

 

ExCeL Center in the Docklands

Entrance into the Arena.

Not a bad view of the arena.

 

 

Jared Frayer's family.

 

 

 

 

Jared Frayer.

Quarter-final match.

Jake Varner.

Semi-final match.

Varner after his win in the semi-finals.

Jeff and I at the end of competition.

Making our way back through the sea of 10,000 people.

After our Olympic experience, Jeff and I headed back home. I had to quickly get ready for a friend's baby shower, while Jeff packed for his mini trip to Romania (he'll be back Tuesday night). The shower was held at The Hollywood Arms - such a cute pub! We enjoyed Royal Tea, a variety of tea sandwiches, and strawberry jam and clotted cream raisin scones all while enjoying good conversation and showering Andrea with gifts for her sweet soon-to-be daughter or son (my vote's a girl but we will see soon!). It was a wonderful time of seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones! 

Part of the group.

Andrea opening gifts and Cristen (the mastermind behind this great shower).

Special made onesie - the great state of Texas with English Bulldog fabric. 

 

Me and Andrea