Welcome to my first blog post! If you haven't already guessed, the "Mitten" in "Mitten in Britain" represents Michigan, our home state (Go Blue!) Sorry, couldn't resist. B and I have embarked on an eighteen-month adventure in London for B's job.
So much has happened since arriving in London 11 days ago, but it's been such a whirlwind that I haven't had a chance to debrief about our experiences until today. It all started with lots of luggage…
Our poor pup, Cleo, knew something was up, but had no idea she was about the get on a flying metal machine for the first time!
As we entered the cargo area of Dulles airport (whose damp
walls, eerie light bulbs and sketchy dudes resembled a
warehouse run by evil Bond villains), Cleo became noticeably more terrified. She got the crazy eyes!
This overbearing puppy momma about lost her sh*t when we had to leave Cleo in that warehouse to be loaded onto the plane, so the obvious pick-me-up was needed. B’s company
generously flew us business class, so we took advantage of the British Airways
lounge with complimentary Pimm’s Cups, tea sandwiches and wine. It helped!
Neither of us had ever flown business class overseas, so we were super giddy about all the fun perks - flatbed seats, video games, fine wines and a really delicious meal.
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| Thanks to my good friend Lo, my feet were cozy (and collegiate) the whole trip! |
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| Concentrating hard for Tetris |
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| Saving Mr. Banks - a film about a proper British author for a proper British flight |
We all arrived safe and sound the following morning and settled into our teeny tiny corporate housing apartment. Cleo found it most exciting, as she was allowed on the bed! (Disclaimer: only allowed because there was no other floor space!)
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| Front left to right: Window facing music school dorms; unnecessarily large desk; kitchen behind wall with photos; bathroom on right whose door constantly hits the main door. City living! |
Needless to say, we tried to spend as much time out of our room as possible. We roamed the streets (a.k.a. got lost a lot) for a seven days. Hit the National Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum, Saatchi Gallery, St. James Park, Kensington Gardens, St. Paul's cathedral, Big Ben, Portobello Road and the Tower of London. I shopped around Chelsea, Regent Street and High Street Kensington. We went on a walking tour of London and a fascinating Jack the Ripper tour led by one of the Queen's guards (Beefeater/Yeoman.) Cleo even went on the tube with us! Recap in photos below (credit goes to B):
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| Big Ben/Parliament in the background |
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| Front of Westminster Abbey |
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| Antique shop on Portobello Road |
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| Being silly on the 598 steps leading up the dome of St. Paul's cathedral. |
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| St. Paul's cathedral from the street |
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| Tower of London |
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| Just hanging at the Tower |
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| Traitor's Gate entrance to Tower of London |
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| Ceremonial guards in front of St. James's Palace |
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| View of St. Paul's cathedral across the Thames from our dinner table |
Next post will be about flat hunting, restaurant experiences and more Cleo! Cheers!
