London Trip: Day 1
It's finally here, my London blog post. Sorry it's taken so long but ever since I got off the train in Liverpool I've been rather busy adulting, but the long and short of it is: London was AMAZING.
Friday the 8th March started at 9 am where we got up, showered and made sure we had everything we needed (the worrier that I am meant I checked my bag three times and then as I was stood on my front steps about the lock the door I checked again for the essentials, keys, purse, phone, camera, reservations.) We then went for the obligatory McDonald's breakfast and headed to Home Bargains (If you know you know) to grab some snacks for the weekend.
In classic Caitlin style we arrived at the station half an hour early but we had plenty of time to collect our tickets and get to the platform.
On the train we had reserved table seats with High School Musical Uno ready to play (yes it is a thing you can get some yourself if you want here). I was SO excited! The journey felt like it took forever but two and a half hours later I was in London Euston station buying my tube ticket. I have to say the amount of people in London was kind of overwhelming when I first got there. There are so many people rushing around, which I would probably be doing if I was a local but I was not and just watching all these people scurry around one another and running up and down escalators I did start to wonder, what's the rush?
Anyway, we soon were on the tube to our hotel near Brent's Cross tube station. Ha! Near is an understatement. It took us almost 40 minutes to walk to the hotel, although admittedly it only really took us half an hour once we had got used to the route and our hotel room was worth it in the end. Travelodge Brent Cross did us proud. We had everything we needed and the staff were lovely. Always gave us a warm greeting whenever we entered or left the hotel and checked we had everything we wanted.
After having a little break at the hotel we headed back into London city centre. We got off at Monument (which by the way is just breathtaking to look at) and headed towards the Thames where we were greeted by the London skyline that I have only ever seen on TV. Even though the weather was kinda drizzly and cloudy London Bridge and the Shard were still ICONIC.
Next we diverted off the Thames slightly to have a gander at St Paul's Cathedral. Although we didn't go in it was still an honour to stand before it. They don't make buildings like this anymore that's for sure. The intricate designs and dome roof are exquisite. I'm glad we decided to take a look.
As night fell, we continued walking along the Thames after crossing the millennium bridge, after all doesn't everyone wanna cross the bridge that the death eaters destroyed in Harry Potter??
This walk is one of my favourite memories from London. We didn't really have any plans we just wanted to go exploring around London. I mean, it did start absolutely pelting it down with rain and I got SOAKED because my coat didn't have a hood and I didn't bring a brolly. What a mistake. But in hindsight it was kinda funny attempting to find Waterloo station in the rain with a paper map...
Finally we headed in search of food in Leicester Square. We were hoping to get some food in Wetherspoons but as we should have suspected, it was rammed so instead, for the second time that day, we ended up in McDonald's. But hey, we needed to eat right?
After refueling we decided to make the most of the opportunity to go to M'n'M World and the Lego shop since they were still open (at 10pm!!) and we made some new friends. Not to mention the smell in M'n'M World is to die for!!
Finally after a loooong day and kinda scary walk in the dark (I'm a wuss I know) we were back in the hotel room in our pjs watching some TV and chilling with our snacks.
It was a good day and just the start of our weekend of adventures. 29,700 steps done with many more to come, I wonder what happens on Day 2.... well you'll just have to wait to find out! (sorry!)