European Adventure Part X: Days 9,10,& 11
So! It was super busy in London, and I didn’t get to do too much new exploring. I’ve combined my time there into one post. Enjoy!
DAY 9
It’s time to leave Rome! I’m at peace with leaving, and I’m excited for the last UK leg of the trip. I went from super unfamiliar and by myself in Lisbon, to unfamiliar but with friends in Rome, and now it’s London and the UK which I know better than some places back in the U.S., and I get to see some friends who live in London that I haven’t seen since November 2021.
ARRIVEDERCI ROME
By this point it probably won’t surprise you that I decided to get up early to enjoy the terrace one last time. I had some leftover breakfast to enjoy as well. It would be the last meal that I cooked for the rest of the trip. From here on out I’m in hotels. My tea and my kindle were a great to close out a last morning in the flat.
I dragged my luggage down, and then up, and then down about 70 steps to get to the bottom of the hill to catch my taxi to the airport. I had been dreading doing just that for so long, but it really wasn’t that bad. Nothing like dragging my luggage up 86 stairs in European Adventure Part VII to the flat in London.
The airport as chaotic, but I was able to get through everything pretty quickly. I soon found myself looking out the window at the clouds, headed North.
HELLO LONDON!
There’s some union strikes while I’m in Britain that will make things a little challenging while I’m here. This meant getting into Central London was slower than usual. But soon enough, I found myself in my hotel room, changing out of my travel clothes and heading on the double decker bus to Piccadilly. First I went to Fortnum’s for some tea, and then Waterstone’s for a book. I took the Tube to Covent Garden for more tea at Mariage Frerers, and some split pea soup in the market.
Soon it was time to head to the Vaudeville theatre to see SIX again. It’s a musical slash pop concert about the wives of Henry XIII, and it’s SO FREAKING GOOD. I enjoyed it even more the second time.
Soon enough, it was time for me to head back to the hotel. I walked part of the way through the busy London streets. It felt so good to be back in time. The weather was crisp and nice. What a wonderful first start in London.
DAY 10
Today I didn’t really have solid plans. I was going to see my friends who live in London, but they made all the plans and I was just along for the ride.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
I had originally intended this morning to be a chill one - sleep in, relax, take it slow and then meet my friends. But they’d planned a walking tour that sounded so cool - it was about Oscar Wilde in London. I love his work, so I was very excited to go on the tour. We met for breakfast at the Breakfast Club. I hadn’t been there since about 2018. It was delicious diner food.
Soon enough, we were on the walking tour. I think it was the second best walking tour of the trip. Such an enjoyable time.
AN AFTERNOON LONDONING
We spent the rest of the afternoon roaming from place to place eating and drinking in classic London style. It was so lovely to watch up with my friends and see what they’d been up to since the last time I saw them in November 2021. It’s been almost ten years since I’ve had my nearly annual visits with
MOVIE!
After we’d at and drank our fill, I decided to head to the Odeon in Leciester Square to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This was the movie theatre where I saw Avengers: Endgame, so it has a special place in my heart. I didn’t love the movie, but let’s be honest, Marvel films are weird right now.
After the movie, I hopped on the Tube to head back to my hotel for a last night in London.
DAY 11
Today was a chill day. I’m starting to wind things down a bit. I don’t want to head back home exhausted, but I was heading to Bath today, so things couldn’t be TOO chill considering I had to get my butt on a train.
A LAZY MORNING
I cannot remember the last time I lazed in bed for as long as I did this morning without being sick, but my body needed it. Lots of early mornings and very late nights. I have no regrets. I had originally planned on enjoying the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park and then going to the Victoria & Albert Museum for a costume exhibit, but none of that happened and it’s okay.
I eventually got myself together to have breakfast at Daisy May Green which is a restaurant on a canal boat that I discovered last year. Afterwards, I walked to Paddington to hop on the Great Western Rail towards Bath. I was remembering the last time I was on the GWR heading to Cornwall. I was so glad this trip wasn’t five hours, but merely 1.5 hours.
IT’S BATH
Soon enough, I found myself in Bath. I headed to my hotel, and nearly instantly fell in love with it and my room. It’s so freaking cozy! I’m sitting on the couch now soaking in just being here. I’ve been to Bath before, but for like four hours at most each time. Now I”m spending days, and I’m really looking forward to it. I had dinner in the restaurant before heading back to my room, and continuing to enjoy my vacation.
UP NEXT: Another spa day, and some shopping around Bath.