Reading in Green Park, London. We rented time in the chairs for 2 pounds for 2 hours. We rested and Eleanor worked on her second reading of The Deathly Hallows for about an hour. It was quite pleasant--about 68 degrees and sunny.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Well, it looks like this will be our last day in Europe. The Delta waitlist still hasn't cleared so back we go tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing my husband and children again, but regret that I didn't get to tour Parliament or the Tower of London. London isn't at the top of my wish list for our next trip to Europe either...but only because of the really poor exchange rate. Maybe if the dollar ever strengthens, it will move back up that list!
We overslept a bit this morning and headed out about 8:40. We walked through St. James' Park to get to Buckingham Palace and started with a tour of the Queen's Art Gallery. This season it features Italian artists. There were some really lovely pieces. I bought postcards of some of my favorites. I liked the furniture and official gifts from other heads of state the best.
We then toured the state rooms of the Palace. Oh my! I could live there...so long as I had the staff, that is...and a sofa or two to kick back and relax on! There is also a special exhibition to celebrate the Queen's 60th wedding anniversary this November...beautiful dress and jewelry. The displayed wedding gifts were very nice.
We skipped the Royal Mews in favor of a picnic lunch in the park, with the food courtesy of Marks & Spencer. We then attempted to shop for clothes for Eleanor, but she is in that awkward phase where she has to wear kid's clothes for size, but is too mature to want to wear anything from that department. Shopping was a failure.
We did pick up our pre-ordered copies of HP7 for family and friends.
We had a rest in Green Park for about an hour and then walked back through St James' Park. We stopped to have dinner at a place across from the Treasury Building called The Red Lion. Eleanor is varying the menu a bit....tonight it is steak and fries.
I think we are going to make an early night of it tonight and pack and watch a little British TV. Our flight to Amsterdam leaves at 7AM so we will have a long day of it. We are supposed to arrive in Birmingham at 10:45 tomorrow night, so approximately 24 hours of travel when all is said and done.
...We did stay in this evening and it was a good thing because I needed to finish my listing of purchases for customs declaration when we come home and pack. I am not really sure how that whole customs thing works....do I list a total and have to make a declaration? Or, since I am within the limits for the US, do I just choose the nothing to declare line? Anyone who knows please feel free to give me some guidance!I'm going to get ready for bed now since it is almost 10PM and we need to leave for the airport at 5AM. Assuming nothing odd happens tomorrow, I guess this is my last report from Europe!
Kellye and Eleanor
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