sproutgirl | (no subject)

So. I flew over on Virgin, and I will always always fly with them. No bullshit about how many bags you can have, I got a whole row to myself, my vegetarian meal came first and without question, and was absolutely delicious. There was a real (small, but real glass) glass for wine, and the plastic forks, spoons, and knives were adorable. (I have a weird thing for nice plastic utensils, ok?) The breakfast bagel for breakfast at the end of the flight was also very good.

All passengers got a little bag with socks, a sleep mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Lots of movies to choose from and plenty of blankets and pillows to go around. I've been on several flights where they've run out of those, so this was nice. The pretzels we got were Worcester flavour, with the label of, "Real American Recipe!" I hightly doubt we have a lot of Worcester flavour pretzels in the states, lol.

I arrived to find Liss with sign for Embrace Your Inner Whatever! We made our way through the airport and to the trains (after a Starbucks run) and we went a stop or two to her house. She showed me to my room, where there were other signs up for my boys. I'll take pics of those in the next few days, and put them up. She also, if you can believe it, printed out all of the book that's been written. On ORANGE PAPER! All 208 pages of it, followed by all the shorts and snippets and ficlets involving Ben and Terry. There was also my Ladyship birthday present and some really cute little cards.

We went grocery shopping after, where I found lots of fun things to try. Banana milk, yum, actually! Good food in small portions and the best garlic bread in the world.

Today we went into London itself. This meant a longer train ride and THE TUBE. I WAS ON THE TUBE! Victoria Station to Green Park to Covent Garden. COVENT GARDEN! Wheeeee! Shopped. Bought stuff. A Shawn of the Dead shirt and cute rock and rule pj pants. We also went to Radley's, which is a Brit purse (handbag) store. Very cute, but very expensive. Liss really really wants one. 125 pounds is one of the cheapest though . . . 240 dollars or so. Eesh.

I had lunch in a pub. A PUB! It was called The Crooked Surgeon. It was nice inside. I had veggie sausages, mashed potatoes and veggie gravy. Also cola in bottles! Hee.

We also went to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. I found lots of touristy things to buy, for myself and as gifts. One in particular I'm quite chuffed about, but it's for somebody's upcoming birthday so shhhh! But it's awesome, I swear.

Then we went to Westminster, where we went on the Eye. We got STUCK on the Eye for 20 minutes, pretty close to the top. That wasn't so much fun. And to be honest, the view wasn't quite what I'd hoped for. Great view of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, and a tiny bit of Westminster Abbey, but that's about it.

After, we got closer to Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Then we got back on the Tube to Paddington Station, where we found the Paddington Bear statue and small shop. Those pics will have to come tomorrow, though, as they were on a different memory stick.

Then we went back home, and I'm doing this post.

I'll be going to the markets at Portobello Rd tomorrow, as well as Notting Hill, the shops in Oxford street, and a whole bunch else.

Abbey road is on the list of things to do, as is Brighton. Tower of London too, and Soho.

I'm so excited. And also tired.

But. PICS!

The pub where we had lunch.

COLA!

The inside of the Crooked Surgeon.

Phone booths! To the Ministry, perhaps?

The London Eye. I don't suggest getting stuck at the top.

Big Ben. He's all shiny and gold due to a recent restoration.

A street performer by the Eye. A silver Dumblydore!

Another street performer. I was oddly fascinated by the frog on a bike.

I think this is the bridge from Sliding Doors, and have therefore taken lots of pictures of it. :)

This pic is the one I am most proud of. I think it's a great shot of Big Ben, and the Eye, and some other funky, old buiding.

So there you have it. My first two days of London.

Sleep now.