Arrival in London

We started our journey Friday 4th July with bags packed and whisked expertly to the international airport by Lisa. We left Brisbane time to Singapore around 3pm, arriving at 10pm, onwards to Heathrow arriving London time 6am Saturday morning.
We waited patiently for my luggage but after realising that my air tag hadn’t arrived, made enquires at the desk to be told it was on the next flight. We arranged to have it couriered to our accommodation and took off to find Trev and Jen.
After navigating the underground and a joyful reunion we made our way to Paddington station not fully able to believe we had actually made it!
Trev led us to our accommodation where we left our luggage and headed off to find coffee.
We had 2 ticketed destinations to attend Westminster Abbey @ 12pm and UK Parliament House after.
Train from Bayswater station through to Westminster station was wonderful complete with old brick tunnels but modern electric trains!
We wandered around the St James’s Park taking in the sights, our first glimpse of Buckingham Palace, incredible trees, ducks and squirrels (oh my they’re cute). All the quintessential London features that are so familiar in theory but absolutely delightful in reality. The buildings, statues, red double decker buses, red phone boxes, hanging flower baskets on delightful lampposts, monuments, Big Ben, the Thames and so much more… Our eyes were wide with wonder albeit with added bags due to lack of sleep 😂
Westminster Abbey was incredible. The stain glass windows are huge. Such a beautiful, detailed building filled with history, tradition and a system of religious rituals spanning centuries. We wandered in hushed awe viewing tombs and monuments dedicated to many historic and colourful characters, musicians, poets, kings, queens and conquerors. So impressive.
I couldn’t help but think of our Lord and King who lived his life in simplicity, free of pomp or ceremony, obedient in life and death but is alive and ready for the command to take up his rightful position as King of the World! 🙏
Next stop was scones, jam and clotted cream because how can you not when in London?!!
We then walked to the UK parliament buildings and did a self guided tour of the House of Lords, Commons ect. An excellent audio took us through the halls, traditions, voting rooms and so on.
So wonderful to see it all in person. We navigated our way home and enjoyed checking into our apartment and a long hot shower. We had walked 13km and stood on our feet all day. Speaking of feet. Can’t believe I had no other shoes accept plastic slides and Danny’s cute Vinnie face socks to wear due to the missing luggage 🤣 Thankfully I didn’t bump into King Charles today 🤭
After a traditional London pub dinner at the Kings Head we fell into bed exhausted but grateful for safe travels and memories in the making.Les mer