Summer Vacation: Day 9 - London and Harpenden

We had planned one BIG sight seeing day in London and hoped that the weather would cooperate and that the kids would be up for all the walking.  Both worked out perfectly!

We started the day by walking to the train station in Harpenden and catching the train to Blackfriars. From the platform we could show the kids Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, and St Paul's Cathedral.  From there we walked along the Thames toward the London Eye and Westminster Bridge and the House of Commons/Palace of Westminster/Big Ben.  We squished some pennies and took loads of photos.

We then stopped outside Westminster Abbey, and Leighton was very impressed to hear that their great, great grandfather had been knighted there!

We continued walking down to Buckingham Palace, and we relaxed there for a bit before turning back to head to Trafalgar Square for lunch.

We started walking towards Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street.  Stopped for a photo in front of the Canadian Embassy - we were a couple days late for the Canada 150 celebrations!

And another red phone box photo op!

And a mini cooper with the flag.

When we arrived at Hamley's we worked our way through the different floors so the kids could choose their toy.  Roy had been talking about going to Hamley's when he was a kid and getting a toy when they'd visit, so it was fun for him to get to take the kids to do the same.

Then we made our way to Oxford Street for a little shopping and a snack.  Then it was time to get the tube back to Blackfriar's railway station to get a train back to Harpenden.

Back at the house, John made a delicious dinner and Matt was able to be there for a visit, which was really nice.  jackie was out late for work but we got a short visit and a chance to say goodbye before bed.

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Total walking: approximately 6.1 miles or 9.8km
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