Day 5. London

European Vacation
Day 5.
London, Wednesday June 18, 2014

1am. Our plane lands, we fill out forms for entrance into the UK, take the Gatwick Express into Victoria, and catch a cab. The night clerk is sweet and accommodating. We make our way up to the rooms and it is after 3am before I settle all the children, including hyper baby, into bed. Baths seem to be best solution.
We wake early despite the late arrival to our hotel. We placed our breakfast order to be delivered and it smells heavenly. I believe it was a combination of the "bacon", sausage, and coffee. The kids are digging it but gladly shovel croissants in their faces. Alora and I settle for the GF bread we picked up in Italy.
We find our way to the tour bus pick up location. We map out our trip and though it seems like a lot it is much nicer on our bodies since we aren't doing any walking. Alora becomes bored and falls asleep. She is unimpressed with London.
We wind our way through some of London's highlights, change buses, and take a cruise along the Thames.
I hate the water. I hate boats. I have horrible motion sickness but let me just say this is a testament of my love for Marc. This was what he wanted to do. Not me. I am quite happy with my feet firmly planted on the floor as God intended.
He mentions something about going up to the London Eye. Ha! My love does run that deep. Brendan and I both have a fear of heights and are claustrophobic. So that's a no. A definite no.
We get out and walk a ways down from Tower Bridge to find lunch. It's a little hole in the wall diner but it's the healthiest we have all eaten in days. I provide a couple of slices of bread for my sandwich and the lady laughs at how small the pieces are. Yeah, thanks. I can't eat your delicious homemade wheat bread and now I have to listen to you chuckle about the size of my bread?!
Naomi is literally beside herself. She is obsessed with all things British and I'm so happy that we were able to put this city in our itinerary. Her face lit up with each new touristy spot we passed. I'm excited for her in a way that only mothers can understand. Possibly some fathers but I don't think Marc gets how much this part of the trip meant to her.
We carry on and find a bus back to the hotel. We are due to meet a family friend's in-laws. The bus, however, is running late and we return to the hotel to find them sitting in the lobby.
Big hugs, kisses, and handshakes are passed around as if we have known each other our whole lifetimes. They are sweet, kind, and genuine. Aside from those in the hospitality industry we haven't been impressed with the level of niceness from the Londonites. Luckily, we are easily impressed with what the city has to offer.
The eight of us walk to find a restaurant. We decide to let our noses guide us and follow a trail of enticing scents. We settle on a beautiful, modern place and are immediately seated by the windrow.
Alora naturally charms the pants off the Tilley's and our server. Naomi has her first taste of cider, not apple. And I'm feeling like a scene from a movie has been inserted into my life.
The service is great, the food delicious, and the company is warm hearted. I'd say overall, a great first day in the UK.