European holiday, Part 3

LONDON!

I think I've wanted to visit London ever since I can remember. It lived up to all of my expectations.

The poet Henry Van Dyke stated, "Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air;" and it is so true.  It is organized, clean, full of people, interesting, diverse, stately, educational, and vibrant.

We loved being with J's parents and having their help to navigate the city. They know their stuff! After living in London for 9 months they are adept at walking the streets, riding busses, switching underground trains, and everything else you need to know to survive in a huge urban metropolis. We just followed them around like puppies and were never led astray.

We spent Saturday on a bus tour to Kent county, which I'll highlight later. Sunday we spent with my in-laws going to the Stratford ward on the east side of London. As part of their missionary service, they are assigned to attend and help members in a ward on the east side of the city. First, they take a 45-60 minute train and bus ride to the building, where they arrive early to help with any set up needs. Then my mother-in-law attends Primary where she is the pianist and great asset to the presidency members who arrive at church at varying times. My father-in-law is the instructor of the gospel essentials class where each week he gives a lesson on gospel principles to individuals who are investigating the church or are new converts. They people of the ward really love my in-laws, and they love the people they serve. Finally, we attend the sacrament meeting where my mother-in-law generally helps with the piano and again they serve as a steady influence on the members there. I can see how their presence is a great benefit to the members of the ward and was so grateful to attend meetings with them and see them in action.  We took the same route home, but stopped for a glimpse of the new 2012 Olympic stadium.

Stratford ward building

2012 Olympic stadium

The whole process of getting to church, attending church and getting home takes a good 6 hours and we were all exhausted afterwards. We rested and then ate a wonderful English crock-pot dinner together. That night J and I went on a walk and passed by the Hyde park building, which is being renovated, and past the V&A museum, natural history museum, and Prince Albert Hall. We strolled along Hyde park and enjoyed the chilly evening air.

Monday we were busy touring the city together. We saw the British museum with its amazing artifacts from all over the world. Then we went through the Cabinet War Rooms, which highlight Winston Churchill's life and leadership during WWII. Then we toured the Tower of London and heard the story of all the history that has taken place there. They house the crown jewels and the royal armory which were interesting to see too. We ate fish & chips for dinner and then J and I stopped to browse at the famous Harrod's department store before we headed in for the evening.

British museum

Posing at the War Rooms

Tower of London

Tower bridge

Tuesday, as I mentioned, we slept a great deal and then shoved off on a bike ride past Buckingham palace and through St. James park. We took a train to the National Gallery and saw some famous Monet and Picasso art work there, then walked through Trafalgar square on our way down the street to see Parliament and Big Ben. Unfortunately, Westminster Abbey was closed for tours by the time we got there, but we went around back and got a peek in the naive. We then walked across the jubilee bridge for one last look up and down the Themes. Then we met up with J's parents in the posh Apple store in Covent Garden and ate a Byron Burger before heading over to the Lyceum theater to watch the Lion King. The show was completely fabulous and the costumes were superb. 

Buckingham palace

St. James park bike ride

Trafalgar Square/ National Gallery in the background

Trafalgar square lion

Big Ben

Westminster Abbey

Our front row balcony seats for the Lion King