This morning I dressed up in my Hogwarts uniform, and emerged forom our hotel room to find that many others in my group did the same, for today would be a great photo op; this is the day we ride the Hogwarts Express!! Gosh, it was so incredibly exciting!
After breakfast and packing, the nerds mingled in the lobby and took many pictures. Also, I have two ribs out of place from my tumble yesterday. I consider myself lucky though; usually when this happens its only one rib and I cannot breathe. Right now though its just a rather annoying stab in my back and boob - I can even yawn, which means I'll probably make it until we get home, then I can see the chiropractor.
After Karen shooed us into our coach, we left for the train station! The movie engine, Olton Hall, is in a museum so we will be taken by another engine, the Jacobite. We got special tickets! The train even still had its Hogwarts emblem on the side! AAhh it was so cool! There are no words...
We rode to this place called Mollaig on the regular cars. When we stopped at the station there Dad and I ate lunch at this nice seafood place and went into a gift shop, where I was approached by a Scottish kid. He asked if he could see my copy of Deathly Hallows (I had brought it along to read on the train), so I let him look at it. It was so funny! Only American versions have illustrations, and he wanted to see Mary GrandPre's artwork.
Dad and I rode back in the movie cars!! It was fun-I stuck my head out the window and got a face sprinkling of water. There might have been some soot too...When we were sitting in our car, I wondered if Dan, Rupert, and Emma had ever been in this car. I just kept thinking about all the cast members that could have possibly sat on those seats, and I imagined Luna passing out the Quibbler in the hall. We were visited by the trolley lady as well as dementors, which was pretty swell. The trolley lady gave us each little bags of 'magical' candy. It was quite disgusting (it was just el cheapo crap, not licensed HP stuff), except for the liquorice wand.
Aftter the train ride, I had a long coach ride ahead to read and sleep. After all, we were watching the movie in about ten hours! Gah! So excited!
We stopped again in Callender, and Dad and I went to the same sweet shop as before. This time we got a block of Scottish macaroon, which let me tell you, turned out to be very disappointing. Basically, itz a huge block of solidified sugar coated in roasted coconut. I wish we had gotten fudge. :/
Our Edinburgh hotel also turned out to be a disappointment; our room has a bed and a futon. Grand. Especially since two of my ribs dont need to stab me any harder.
Dad and I wanted to explore Edinburgh, but as it was 9:30, all the shops were closed. So we just ate a very small dinner in the hotel resaurant. We got the soup special, which was about 40% black pepper, and therefore absolutely disgusting. And in the case of my friend Rachel, deadly. But the waitress knocked half off our bill for complaining! Haha!
I finished my book and rested as we waited for 11:30; thats when we go see the movie!! I'm squealing!!! Jennifer has been emailing me during this whole trip so I wrote her back as I waited.
30 November 2011
Day 11: Steall Falls (July 13th)
This morning we departed after breakfast for our hike up to Steall Falls. There is an extremely attractive Russian waiter here, by the way.
We drove and drove into the mountains on our big coach, and stopped somewhere to see the Black Lake and the viaduct that the Hogwarts Express drives along! I even got a picture of it as a train was going!
We drove some more and stopped again at a little place to eat lunch. I had an Irn Bru, which I didnt really like. My uncle Derrick drank them all the time when he was in Scotland, and he absolutely loves it. He probably subscribes to it on Amazon. But I really didn't think it was all that great. Dad and i only ate half of our sandwiches and saved the other half for later.
We drove and drove some more, until our big coach couldnt go any furthur, so we transferred to a littler coach. At last we reached Steall Falls! Our hiking guide told us all about the trail. It's apparently really dangerous, and plenty of folks have even died on it! That just made me look forward to it all the more. And let. me. tell. you. That was the greatest hike ever. If I lived anywhere close to it, that trail would probably be my favourite way to spend a weekend with friends or a date or something. On the way, someone found a huge black slug. He was quite charming, and when we turned around he had gone a few feet along the trail. Most of the Americans had to stop super often for breaks. Dad and I, however, pressed on. I never even broke a sweat! Not that it would have been that easy to do, because it was so cool. I'm so glad it didn't rain!
We reached this little river that everyone took their shoes off to cross. I thought I could make my own way across by just stepping on rocks, but I soon regretted it. The other's wet feet dried in no time but my shoes were soggy until we got back to the hotel. :( Haha, it was pretty funny though. Around the falls, a few people pointed out tiny yellow frogs. Even Dad saw them! But I never did!
Somewhere around here we frolicked around on the hill the Hagrid's hut scenes (PoA thru DH) were filmed on. As we were leaving the location I tried jumping off this little hillock and ended up rolling down it instead, tearing a hole in my pant knee. It was so funny! I wish I could have gotten a recording of myself. I must have looked ridiculous. I mean, it was a very small hill, I don't know why I fell.
After we made our way back down the mountain, we hopped back into the coach. On the trip back to the hotel, we passed the real Black Lake and saw the island they filmed Dumbledore's tomb on.
At the hotel, I took a shower and tried drying, then curling my hair with my iron. I wanted to be pretty for the little party we were having later. It worked until I ran out of time, then i just had to straighten my 80% curled hair. :( Sigh. Oh well.
Before the party a hired storyteller told us stories. One I remember was quite interesting, but I don't remember anything about it anymore. For the 'party' there were a few 'magical' activities, like potion making and cool stuff, but it was like a 'first-come only-served' basis, so Dad and i went to bed instead of joining in.
It was worth it. ^_^
PS There's a girl in my group who has Kermit the Frog dressed as Eleven in the TARDIS tattooed on her underarm!
We drove and drove into the mountains on our big coach, and stopped somewhere to see the Black Lake and the viaduct that the Hogwarts Express drives along! I even got a picture of it as a train was going!
We drove some more and stopped again at a little place to eat lunch. I had an Irn Bru, which I didnt really like. My uncle Derrick drank them all the time when he was in Scotland, and he absolutely loves it. He probably subscribes to it on Amazon. But I really didn't think it was all that great. Dad and i only ate half of our sandwiches and saved the other half for later.
We drove and drove some more, until our big coach couldnt go any furthur, so we transferred to a littler coach. At last we reached Steall Falls! Our hiking guide told us all about the trail. It's apparently really dangerous, and plenty of folks have even died on it! That just made me look forward to it all the more. And let. me. tell. you. That was the greatest hike ever. If I lived anywhere close to it, that trail would probably be my favourite way to spend a weekend with friends or a date or something. On the way, someone found a huge black slug. He was quite charming, and when we turned around he had gone a few feet along the trail. Most of the Americans had to stop super often for breaks. Dad and I, however, pressed on. I never even broke a sweat! Not that it would have been that easy to do, because it was so cool. I'm so glad it didn't rain!
We reached this little river that everyone took their shoes off to cross. I thought I could make my own way across by just stepping on rocks, but I soon regretted it. The other's wet feet dried in no time but my shoes were soggy until we got back to the hotel. :( Haha, it was pretty funny though. Around the falls, a few people pointed out tiny yellow frogs. Even Dad saw them! But I never did!
Somewhere around here we frolicked around on the hill the Hagrid's hut scenes (PoA thru DH) were filmed on. As we were leaving the location I tried jumping off this little hillock and ended up rolling down it instead, tearing a hole in my pant knee. It was so funny! I wish I could have gotten a recording of myself. I must have looked ridiculous. I mean, it was a very small hill, I don't know why I fell.
After we made our way back down the mountain, we hopped back into the coach. On the trip back to the hotel, we passed the real Black Lake and saw the island they filmed Dumbledore's tomb on.
At the hotel, I took a shower and tried drying, then curling my hair with my iron. I wanted to be pretty for the little party we were having later. It worked until I ran out of time, then i just had to straighten my 80% curled hair. :( Sigh. Oh well.
Before the party a hired storyteller told us stories. One I remember was quite interesting, but I don't remember anything about it anymore. For the 'party' there were a few 'magical' activities, like potion making and cool stuff, but it was like a 'first-come only-served' basis, so Dad and i went to bed instead of joining in.
It was worth it. ^_^
PS There's a girl in my group who has Kermit the Frog dressed as Eleven in the TARDIS tattooed on her underarm!
Day 10: British Airlines (July 12th)
Today we are off to Glasgow! And we don't leave til 10:30 so we got to have a much-needed lie-in! :) I am wearing my new dress with my Hogwarts cardigan today, and I curled my hair (it's SO big!) so I look pretty swell.
We had the same thing for breakfast as yesterday (seriously, these mushrooms are the most amazing things in this world). After we ate, we packed up our luggage and took it downstairs ourselves. We don't really want to risk it with the caddies. I read until it was time to board the coach. I just got to Malfoy Manor, so I have a pretty good chance of finishing before the 15th.
It only took an hour to get to Heathrow, so I guess traffic is quite good today. Karen gave us a little history commentary as we drove. Did I mention while we were in Oxford there was this huge accident and like three of four lanes were closed? Yikes...
I got patted down in customs! It was so weird...now I've had my bag checked by hand AND I've been patted down. Right now I am basically just sitting here waiting for 2:15. Currently it is 12:38. :/ There really aren't any interesting shops in this airport, unless you've got a few quid to spend on something like an iPad or a designer sweater. Or cologne...
...
Eventually, we flew to Glasgow! And landed! In the hall that you walk through after you get out of your plane I overheard the conversation of two girls in my group. They were talking about a scene in Deathly Hallows where Snape jumps out of a window and appears to be flying away. They were convinced he had turned into a bat because of the wording Jo had used to describe him flying away. Just because you appear 'bat-like' does not mean you turned into a bat, geez...
We had to wait for what felt like DAYS for some people's luggage. I wish everyone would have the sense to pack like Dad and me: one carry-on, and one 'personal item.' That way you can pack quite a lot, actually, without having to check a tandem coffin.
Back in the coach, we had a pit stop in a little town called Callender. We were given a chunk of time to roam its streets. Dad and I found this little Honeydukes-esque fudge shop where we purchased a large slab of honeycomb fudge. It was soooo good!
We left Callender and made it to the Isles of Glencoe, where we'll be staying for the next bit. The new hotel is simply adorable (I wish I had taken a picture!) and has the best view I've ever seen. The foliage here in Scotland is impossibly lush, and from our room window I can see plenty of it, including a loch that resembles the Black Lake. It feels like I'm on Hogwarts campus! The weather is also great. It's the perfect temperature all the time. I just hope it doesn't rain on our hike tomorrow. :0 I didn't bring my raincoat. :(
The hotel served us dinner. This place may look nice, but the food really wasn't that praiseworthy, and the service just sucked.
I'm in chapter 23!
We had the same thing for breakfast as yesterday (seriously, these mushrooms are the most amazing things in this world). After we ate, we packed up our luggage and took it downstairs ourselves. We don't really want to risk it with the caddies. I read until it was time to board the coach. I just got to Malfoy Manor, so I have a pretty good chance of finishing before the 15th.
It only took an hour to get to Heathrow, so I guess traffic is quite good today. Karen gave us a little history commentary as we drove. Did I mention while we were in Oxford there was this huge accident and like three of four lanes were closed? Yikes...
I got patted down in customs! It was so weird...now I've had my bag checked by hand AND I've been patted down. Right now I am basically just sitting here waiting for 2:15. Currently it is 12:38. :/ There really aren't any interesting shops in this airport, unless you've got a few quid to spend on something like an iPad or a designer sweater. Or cologne...
...
Eventually, we flew to Glasgow! And landed! In the hall that you walk through after you get out of your plane I overheard the conversation of two girls in my group. They were talking about a scene in Deathly Hallows where Snape jumps out of a window and appears to be flying away. They were convinced he had turned into a bat because of the wording Jo had used to describe him flying away. Just because you appear 'bat-like' does not mean you turned into a bat, geez...
We had to wait for what felt like DAYS for some people's luggage. I wish everyone would have the sense to pack like Dad and me: one carry-on, and one 'personal item.' That way you can pack quite a lot, actually, without having to check a tandem coffin.
Back in the coach, we had a pit stop in a little town called Callender. We were given a chunk of time to roam its streets. Dad and I found this little Honeydukes-esque fudge shop where we purchased a large slab of honeycomb fudge. It was soooo good!
We left Callender and made it to the Isles of Glencoe, where we'll be staying for the next bit. The new hotel is simply adorable (I wish I had taken a picture!) and has the best view I've ever seen. The foliage here in Scotland is impossibly lush, and from our room window I can see plenty of it, including a loch that resembles the Black Lake. It feels like I'm on Hogwarts campus! The weather is also great. It's the perfect temperature all the time. I just hope it doesn't rain on our hike tomorrow. :0 I didn't bring my raincoat. :(
The hotel served us dinner. This place may look nice, but the food really wasn't that praiseworthy, and the service just sucked.
I'm in chapter 23!
25 July 2011
Day 9: Stonehenge and Lacock
Breakfast today was quite good. Many of these hotel breakfasts have grapefruit juice and huge field mushrooms, so breakfast is usually quite good. Also, I didn't have to pack this morning because we are staying here for another night! Phew!
In the coach on the way to Stonehenge, a storyteller told us a few myths and legends and the like, and then she had us try to 'divine answers' to yes or no questions using pendulums. I didn't really participate; I like to watch my own future take place, thanks. *rolls eyes*
Stonehenge is really interesting and beautiful and all, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Harry Potter. There are so many Harry Potter related places here. We could have stayed in Oxford and seen the library! We didnt even get to see the library! Oh well. I got a Stonehenge postcard. I like sending postcards.
After Stonehenge we went to Avesbury (why?!) and then to Lacock. Lacock is one of the prettiest towns I have ever seen. It has doubled for both Budleigh Babberton and Godric's Hollow. We got to see the Potter's house and Dad and I had lunch in the restaurant that Harry and Dumbledore walk past when going to where Slughorn's staying. Also, during our walk around Lacock, I saw a little boy, no older than three, hanging out of his window, hitting the frame with a toy hammer. And there wasn't a thread of clothing to be seen on this child.
Knees weak with laughing at the kid, we made our way to the Abbey. Our group hit the gift shop first, where basically everyone bought the same thing: an extensive guide to Harry Potter locations. Dad got the last copy! :O It was close.
Lacock Abbey houses Snape's first classroom, Quirrell's classroom, another one of the courtyards that I love, and McGonagall's classroom/Mirror of Erised classroom. Also, our guide tried to tell us that room also had the flying keys in it, but it looks too small. I think that must have been a set.
After the tour of the abbey, Dad and I set off to find the house that Slughorn used, but we never could find it. But we did find a neast old graveyard with all sorts of wacky crumbling headstones.
Back in Oxford, we had free time to shop. I found some lovely boutiques, but they were closing almost as soon as we walked in so I didn't get anything. :( The stores here all close early.
In the coach on the way to Stonehenge, a storyteller told us a few myths and legends and the like, and then she had us try to 'divine answers' to yes or no questions using pendulums. I didn't really participate; I like to watch my own future take place, thanks. *rolls eyes*
Stonehenge is really interesting and beautiful and all, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Harry Potter. There are so many Harry Potter related places here. We could have stayed in Oxford and seen the library! We didnt even get to see the library! Oh well. I got a Stonehenge postcard. I like sending postcards.
After Stonehenge we went to Avesbury (why?!) and then to Lacock. Lacock is one of the prettiest towns I have ever seen. It has doubled for both Budleigh Babberton and Godric's Hollow. We got to see the Potter's house and Dad and I had lunch in the restaurant that Harry and Dumbledore walk past when going to where Slughorn's staying. Also, during our walk around Lacock, I saw a little boy, no older than three, hanging out of his window, hitting the frame with a toy hammer. And there wasn't a thread of clothing to be seen on this child.
Knees weak with laughing at the kid, we made our way to the Abbey. Our group hit the gift shop first, where basically everyone bought the same thing: an extensive guide to Harry Potter locations. Dad got the last copy! :O It was close.
Lacock Abbey houses Snape's first classroom, Quirrell's classroom, another one of the courtyards that I love, and McGonagall's classroom/Mirror of Erised classroom. Also, our guide tried to tell us that room also had the flying keys in it, but it looks too small. I think that must have been a set.
After the tour of the abbey, Dad and I set off to find the house that Slughorn used, but we never could find it. But we did find a neast old graveyard with all sorts of wacky crumbling headstones.
Back in Oxford, we had free time to shop. I found some lovely boutiques, but they were closing almost as soon as we walked in so I didn't get anything. :( The stores here all close early.
Day 8: First Filming Locations!
Americans really are lazy. Its really quite incredible. I've noticed that Parisians are very lean, because they walk everywhere, and Londoners are mostly too, but now that I'm surrounded by Americans I'm marvelling at how fat everybody is! These bigger people have bigger luggage, as well. I swear some people are packing around people in their bags. Didn't anyone tell these guys that the joke, "Let me come in your suitcase!" is just a joke? Anyway, back to the original thought: today we were told that if we wished so we could leav our luggage outisde our door for the porters to load onto the coach. Dad and I were like the only people that brought our luggage to the lobby ourselves.
Sigh. Whatever.
Eventually everyone boarded the tour coach and we began touring! XD First we visited the London film sites, of course. We went to the first Leaky Cauldron, which is pharmacy; Gringotts; the second Leaky Cauldron, a flower shop; and visited King's Cross and St. Pancras. Platforms 9 and 10 are under renovation right now, so we couldn't go in and take pictures of ourselves pushing the half-trolley at Platform 9 3/4. :( But we did see the platforms 4 and 5, which played 9 and 10 in the movie. St. Pancras's exterior doubles for King's Cross in the movie because, well, King's Cross is boring and St. Pancras looks amazing. We also walked on the Millenium Bridge and saw St Paul's Cathedral, although the tour group hadn't scheduled for us to go in.
Then we went to Oxford. There was much farmland to be seen on the way.
Yippee, we visited Christ Church! (and the others, that I can't remember their names...) Home to the staircase in which the first years wait to be Sorted, the Great Hall in PS, the courtyards, the outdoorish corridors (I got my picture sitting in a window!), the Hogwarts library, and the tree by which Draco was turned into a ferret by Moody Crouch Jr.
After walking around the colleges for several hours (we were the only tour group today that got to see everything!) we checked into our hotel, and then were turned loose into Oxford for dinner. In town, Dad bought a postcard. For dinner, we found an itty bitty place that sold pasties, so we had those and toffee cheesecake. It was very yummy.
You know, bus stops here have anti-homeless person benches. They are just wide enough for someone to sit on, but they are rounded so if you were to try to lay on one you would instantly roll right off!
Sigh. Whatever.
Eventually everyone boarded the tour coach and we began touring! XD First we visited the London film sites, of course. We went to the first Leaky Cauldron, which is pharmacy; Gringotts; the second Leaky Cauldron, a flower shop; and visited King's Cross and St. Pancras. Platforms 9 and 10 are under renovation right now, so we couldn't go in and take pictures of ourselves pushing the half-trolley at Platform 9 3/4. :( But we did see the platforms 4 and 5, which played 9 and 10 in the movie. St. Pancras's exterior doubles for King's Cross in the movie because, well, King's Cross is boring and St. Pancras looks amazing. We also walked on the Millenium Bridge and saw St Paul's Cathedral, although the tour group hadn't scheduled for us to go in.
Then we went to Oxford. There was much farmland to be seen on the way.
Yippee, we visited Christ Church! (and the others, that I can't remember their names...) Home to the staircase in which the first years wait to be Sorted, the Great Hall in PS, the courtyards, the outdoorish corridors (I got my picture sitting in a window!), the Hogwarts library, and the tree by which Draco was turned into a ferret by Moody Crouch Jr.
After walking around the colleges for several hours (we were the only tour group today that got to see everything!) we checked into our hotel, and then were turned loose into Oxford for dinner. In town, Dad bought a postcard. For dinner, we found an itty bitty place that sold pasties, so we had those and toffee cheesecake. It was very yummy.
You know, bus stops here have anti-homeless person benches. They are just wide enough for someone to sit on, but they are rounded so if you were to try to lay on one you would instantly roll right off!
Day 7: Little Old...Nerds?
Today we woke up promptly at 7 and packed to check out of the hotel. Today is the beginning of our Harry Potter tour!
After we had eaten and checked out we went to Earl's Court station, the station we left from every day, and there by the entrance I noticed something I had never seen my whole time here!
A big, old fashioned, blue police phone box!
Oh, my joy and ecstasy as I took off my backpack and began to take photographs of myself standing in front of it. I would have gone inside, but the door wouldn't open. But I still saw an actual TARDIS!!! :D
Anyway. Back to the real world. The real world is filled with large and confusing train stations, and it took us a very long time to figure out how to get to our hotel in east London. Once we got there, we hurriedly checked in and grabbed a cab to our street art tour. I took probably way too many pictures. This particular tour, I thought, started out fairly interesting. We saw, well, a lot of professional graffiti. After two hours though it all began to look the same. So I stopped paying attention to the guide and the graffiti and just wished it would end.
When it finally did, Dad and I returned to the hotel to meet up with our tour group. And guess what? My group is filled with little old ladies! I didn't even know little old ladies could be Harry Potter nerds! I thought most of them either thought it was witchcraft and devil worship or else just didn't really care. You learn something every day, I guess....
After we recieved our lanyards and itineraries, we were set free to go take naps. Geez, I was tired, and I've decided I miss my own pillow. It's the kind with a dent in the middle, and hotels always have like six enormous fluffy pillows that I am now sick of.
We woke up just in time to go eat dinner. Dad and I sat with Ellen and Judith, two little old ladies from Florida. They were wearing their house shirts that they got from the theme park. I quite like them (the ladies, not their shirts).
Our hotel is in the docklands, so its right by the Thames. Dad and I took a walk around the area after dinner, but didn't find anything more interesting than an old sandwich and a 'no fouling' sign, both of which we laughed hysterically at. We probably laughed more at the sign though. No Fouling...hehe.
After we had eaten and checked out we went to Earl's Court station, the station we left from every day, and there by the entrance I noticed something I had never seen my whole time here!
A big, old fashioned, blue police phone box!
Oh, my joy and ecstasy as I took off my backpack and began to take photographs of myself standing in front of it. I would have gone inside, but the door wouldn't open. But I still saw an actual TARDIS!!! :D
Anyway. Back to the real world. The real world is filled with large and confusing train stations, and it took us a very long time to figure out how to get to our hotel in east London. Once we got there, we hurriedly checked in and grabbed a cab to our street art tour. I took probably way too many pictures. This particular tour, I thought, started out fairly interesting. We saw, well, a lot of professional graffiti. After two hours though it all began to look the same. So I stopped paying attention to the guide and the graffiti and just wished it would end.
When it finally did, Dad and I returned to the hotel to meet up with our tour group. And guess what? My group is filled with little old ladies! I didn't even know little old ladies could be Harry Potter nerds! I thought most of them either thought it was witchcraft and devil worship or else just didn't really care. You learn something every day, I guess....
After we recieved our lanyards and itineraries, we were set free to go take naps. Geez, I was tired, and I've decided I miss my own pillow. It's the kind with a dent in the middle, and hotels always have like six enormous fluffy pillows that I am now sick of.
We woke up just in time to go eat dinner. Dad and I sat with Ellen and Judith, two little old ladies from Florida. They were wearing their house shirts that they got from the theme park. I quite like them (the ladies, not their shirts).
Our hotel is in the docklands, so its right by the Thames. Dad and I took a walk around the area after dinner, but didn't find anything more interesting than an old sandwich and a 'no fouling' sign, both of which we laughed hysterically at. We probably laughed more at the sign though. No Fouling...hehe.
Day 6: Tate and Tennant
Today we didn't sleep in, but I was really slow getting out of bed. Oh, and then as I was getting ready for the day I realised I had left the purple tights at the restaurant yesterday! We were going back to Harrod's later anyway, so we decided to go back and look in the restaurant too.
Once we got out of our hotel, we made our way to the river for our boat ride! We got there early, so we ate breakfast at the building next to the Eye, and I feel really pathetic for not remembering what it was called.
After breakfast we went to our pier and our guide gave us rain jackets to wear under our life vests. They were really nice, because it was pretty cold. Then we hopped into the boat and went on a speedy adventure down the Thames! It was amazing. Our guide was really funny and had a Northern accent, so it made it all the better. ^_^ Except halfway through it started raining, and speeding down the river into the rain proved rather painful. By the end my hair was becoming dreadlocks.
We went back to the hotel to warm up and get our umbrellas, and then went to Harrod's! On the way of course we stopped at the Persian restaurant for lunch and they had found and saved my tights! :) And this time in Harrod's my feet were dry, and I got my first pair of platform heels. THey are epic.
We dropped off the shopping at our hotel room, and then took the underground to Wyndham's Theatre to see MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. I was rather looking forward to seeing David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Onstage, in person, from the second row.
We always get to our theatres early so we can walk around their neighbourhood and eat dinner before we see the play. I got a Union flag t-shirt, and we went to M&Ms World and got a bag of fancy M&Ms. They actually tasted creamier than ones you get at the store, probably because they were a lot fresher. This place, you know, is three levels of stuffed M&Ms, M&Ms magnets, toys, bags, shirts, and generally junk that you would throw out after a few years. It was amazing!
After we escaped the M&Ms, we ate dinner at a lovely Lebanese place which had the best service we had yet encountered; they actually came to check on us more than once every hour! It was incredible! It seems that over here its a sort of challenge to see how long you can make one glass of water last during your meal. They don't refill your glasses!
After we ate, we went back to the theatre. You know, they let you bring your own food into theatres here. I bet you could bring in a little folding table and a Christmas dinner and they wouldn't so much as look at you twice!
My favourite part of Much Ado was when Catherine tripped over one of her lines. Everybody was laughing at her-the other actors, the audience, and herself. She tried multiple times to say it, but it was a sort of tongue-twister. It was really quite unfortunate! She actually walked off stage to get a grip on herself she was laughing so hard! And then when she came back out she had an extremely serious face on and that only made everybody laugh harder! I wish I could have recorded the whole thing...oh it was funny.
Once we got out of our hotel, we made our way to the river for our boat ride! We got there early, so we ate breakfast at the building next to the Eye, and I feel really pathetic for not remembering what it was called.
After breakfast we went to our pier and our guide gave us rain jackets to wear under our life vests. They were really nice, because it was pretty cold. Then we hopped into the boat and went on a speedy adventure down the Thames! It was amazing. Our guide was really funny and had a Northern accent, so it made it all the better. ^_^ Except halfway through it started raining, and speeding down the river into the rain proved rather painful. By the end my hair was becoming dreadlocks.
We went back to the hotel to warm up and get our umbrellas, and then went to Harrod's! On the way of course we stopped at the Persian restaurant for lunch and they had found and saved my tights! :) And this time in Harrod's my feet were dry, and I got my first pair of platform heels. THey are epic.
We dropped off the shopping at our hotel room, and then took the underground to Wyndham's Theatre to see MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. I was rather looking forward to seeing David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Onstage, in person, from the second row.
We always get to our theatres early so we can walk around their neighbourhood and eat dinner before we see the play. I got a Union flag t-shirt, and we went to M&Ms World and got a bag of fancy M&Ms. They actually tasted creamier than ones you get at the store, probably because they were a lot fresher. This place, you know, is three levels of stuffed M&Ms, M&Ms magnets, toys, bags, shirts, and generally junk that you would throw out after a few years. It was amazing!
After we escaped the M&Ms, we ate dinner at a lovely Lebanese place which had the best service we had yet encountered; they actually came to check on us more than once every hour! It was incredible! It seems that over here its a sort of challenge to see how long you can make one glass of water last during your meal. They don't refill your glasses!
After we ate, we went back to the theatre. You know, they let you bring your own food into theatres here. I bet you could bring in a little folding table and a Christmas dinner and they wouldn't so much as look at you twice!
My favourite part of Much Ado was when Catherine tripped over one of her lines. Everybody was laughing at her-the other actors, the audience, and herself. She tried multiple times to say it, but it was a sort of tongue-twister. It was really quite unfortunate! She actually walked off stage to get a grip on herself she was laughing so hard! And then when she came back out she had an extremely serious face on and that only made everybody laugh harder! I wish I could have recorded the whole thing...oh it was funny.
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