We awoke, well rested and ready to hit the day. We had a stop off in our hotel for breakfast and then headed out towards Hyde Park and beyond. Our first stop was to be the Victoria and Albert Museum. After at least 20 trips to London, this has never been on one of my trip itineraries, so today, we put that challenge to rest! But first a glorious walk through Hyde Park on our way from our Hotel. Spring was in full advance here in London. The daffodils have finished ( boohoo), but the magnolias and cherry trees are starting to bloom!

The V and A was interesting. We hardly touched the surface, but did take time to explore the “casts”. These were cast reproductions of a variety of famous sculptures…done predominantly so that the Brits could learn from the masters in order to influence their own artistic development. We also saw impressive glass displays, fashion through the ages, a historical development of ceramics through the ages and more. We went until our brain was full. Clearly this is a place that requires more than one visit!

From there we backtracked and went to the museum of science…mainly because Dan saw that they had a special exhibition on Science Fiction. I must say, it was fascinating and brought together a relationship between sci-fi and the challenges we are facing as a global nation.

They also had interesting exhibits in medicine…looking back on how they learned about the physical human form through grave robbing and through to advancements with CRISPR, MRI, Cancer treatments and more. Another very fascinating and informative stop!

Next on our list for the day was Westminster Abbey. I have been to this place several times, beginning when my mother brought me at the age of 15. A magical place, heaped in history…and soon to be the scene of another historic event, the coronation of King Charles III. It’s funny, I learn something new each time I visit. This time it was clearly a destination for every visitor to London…Boy was it crowded!…and expensive to visit as a commission rate of 24 GBP per person! Still a magical place unlike any other church in the commonwealth! Its origins date back before Druids when the site was used for goddess worship…I’d say there’s some pretty strong energy running through the ground there!

From Westminster we headed up to Leicester Square to see if we could score some cheap tickets for this evening…only to find that the ticket booth was closed and for sale! I guess online is the way to go!

The consolation was a drink at a pub and a bag of crisps to anchor the beer. We ordered a London local brew, and have decided that we must try local brews throughout the rest of our stay in the UK!

Our next stop was Liberty’s of London…another spot that my mom introduced me to early on in my life. A trip to London wouldn’t be the same without a visit to the scarf hall!

After Liberty’s we were off to Fortnum and Mason. Home of my favourite tea, and owned by a Canadian Family…the Weston’s. What a treat to once again wander the halls of this magnificent store…although part of the time I was looking for my husband!!

After our purchases were made ( we decided to ship them home as space was at a premium,) it was time to start heading back to the hotel. We had been using my phone for guidance throughout the day and the batteries were running low…we opted to take a bus / subway back and discovered some challenges in some of he lines we took…After getting on and off the subway a few times, way finally got to our destination…All we could do is laugh!

Once within walking distance of our hotel, we stopped off for a lovely Italian meal and then back to the hotel for a good night’s rest. Tomorrow we have a walking tour following the Beatles, then the Tower of London and then a recommended play, Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Another full day! And now it’s time to take our leave. Until Tomorrow!