London Day 1

Yesterday we left for London.  The kids have been looking forward to this trip for months!  We decided to drive rather than fly or take the train since we're making a couple of other stops afterwards.  

We got to the Port de Calais around 3:15 and put our car on the English Channel tunnel--an underground train that takes you and your car across the English Channel in 35 minutes.

The area where you wait for your group to be called was great.  It had bathrooms, a couple of places to eat, a bookstore and a STARBUCKS!   

These two were just a little excited about exploring London!

This morning we got up and grabbed fruit and breakfast pastries from a food truck right next to Westminister Abbey.

Then we started our walk through St. James Park, toward Buckingham Palace.  

On our way, we passed 10 Downing St.

And finally arrived at the palace gate.  

Lots of people crowding in to watch the changing of the guard.

But nobody had a better view than these two.

Except Ken, who wormed her way up to the very front.

And afterwards she started to climb the fence to see if she could see Princess Kate's baby...

We grabbed fish and chips for lunch and headed toward the pier.

We took a little cruise down the Thames and saw lots of beautiful buildings.  

This is Parliament and the Elizabeth Tower.  The building on the right is an emergency shelter for MP's and other government personnel in the case of a natural disaster or attack.

Shakespere's Globe Theater.

The Mayor's office.

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

St. Paul's Cathedral

Afterwards we decided to check out Parliament. 

Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords were in session, so we got to sit in both galleries and listen to their debates.  The House of Commoms tends to be more exciting, but the House of Lords is where the Queens throne is, so the kids liked that chamber best.

Then we walked toward Trafalgar Square to find some dinner.  

We passed these two statues on the way.

After dinner, we caught the tube back to the docklands.  

We are really enjoying our time here.  The people have been so accommodating and helpful!  

Tomorrow we're going to a couple museums, Notting Hill, Harrod's and Hamley's toy store to pick up a couple of things for Emory's birthday tomorrow.