Day One: London, I’m Back!

While the flight was delayed an hour due to a baggage lift problem at Dulles, we only arrived 20 minutes late and were able to get off the plane quickly. I got through passport control, grabbed my bag, breezed through customs and made the (very long) trek across Heathrow to the Underground. It was going to take about the same amount of time to take a taxi (just a LOT more expensive) so the Tube it is!

The Tube ride was relaxing (the London Underground is arranged similarly to DC and it’s doesn’t have the crazy NYC multiple stations and levels per train line problems).

I got to the Gloucester Road station in about half an hour then walked a few blocks to my hotel, 54 Queen’s Gate, near Kensington Palace.

I unpacked and changed clothes and then headed right back out to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) to get lunch and spend the afternoon with the art.

I looked at all the ceramics. All of them.

I spent a while in the museum but it was getting a bit crowded and I had seen what I had come for, so I decided to go explore Kensington, since it was one area of London that I hadn’t gotten to see when I came to London 20+ years ago.

After walking through South Kensington I took the Tube up to Kensington High Street because I needed to find and ATM and the Waterstones (I am obsessed with their canvas tote bags).

I got two new bags and the Penguin Classics version of Persuasion. Both were required. I may have gone WAY out of the way to find Waterstones for these bags. They’re that good.

Next I found a Boots, which is a mix between a CVS and a Sephora. I think the US needs some of them ASAP. I got a tiny travel size mascara, an eye pencil, and a “super hydrating + anti-fatigue” face mask which…I feel they should hand these out on the airplane. I was inhaling water the entire flight and I still feel like my skin is a desert.

I was still doing really well on time so I headed towards Kensington Park and Kensington Palace, which is where Queen Victoria was born and lived until she became queen at 18 years old, and it was also Princess Diana’s home for a number of years.

The palace is deceptively old, having been build for William and Mary originally. They ruled together until Mary’s untimely death and they are the first truly devoted couple that was associated with Kensington Palace. Victoria also met her beloved Albert at Kensington Palace, and the tour of the palace is a VERY surreal experience since I’m so familiar with their fairytale love story. When Albert passed away (also a tragic, untimely death) Victoria remained in mourning for him for the rest of her life — 40 years.

Victoria and Albert when they were young, and the room where they first danced. I told y’all this vacation was a romance novel…

I toured through Victoria’s rooms and the Queen’s chambers and then stopped and had afternoon tea at the cafe.

Of course it was Victoria Sponge. Of course it was the best I had ever eaten. Perfect afternoon break after a LOT of walking!

I continued out into the gardens and the orangery, which are both immaculately maintained.

It was overcast but it was still a lovely day to walk through the gardens and park!

It was starting to get a bit darker out so I began meandering my way in the direction of the hotel. I had to stop by Prince Albert’s memorial.

I did mention that Victoria was completely heartbroken when she lost Albert. This monument is enormous and covered in gilding.

And opposite the memorial is the Royal Albert Music Hall, a world famous venue for the performing arts, and a very beautiful building itself. I couldn’t find anything to see there while I was in town, alas…

I made it back to the hotel and crashed. I haven’t slept much since I was trying to get on the right time zone, and all this walking is taking it out of me. Time for a foot mask and a face mask while I plan out tomorrow’s adventures!