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London Day 1

Sox and I embarked on a trip that even as I write this now, I still can’t quite believe we got to experience what we did. We had so many “pinch me” moments and it was adventure after adventure.

I took 1000s (no exaggeration) of photos and videos and going through them, is like reliving the trip all over again. It’s also made my task of choosing what goes on the blog, almost impossible. It’s what has delayed the blog, so thank you for your patience.

I’ve decided to break the posts up and share as much as I can with you, so lets start with the beginning of our travels and our first day in London – I still can’t believe how much we got done every single day!

On Wednesday the 3rd of August, Sox and I voted, finished our last bits of packing and headed off in the Uber to collect my Mom in law, Dimitra and then head off to the airport.

The 3 of us were flying Cape Town – Dubai – Athens. It was a long trip and we were heavily delayed because as we were packing, we got a few calls from friends asking if we had seen the news. A plane had emergency landed/ crashed on the Dubai runway. While we were in the sky, we circled for 25 minutes above the Dubai airport before we could land. We also had an extra 4 hour delay before we could leave Dubai for Athens.Traveling selfie copySox in airport copyWhen we arrived in Athens on Thursday 4th of August, we were exhausted but also exhilarated. We ate dinner, repacked our suitcases – Sox and I would be sharing a suitcase for London and Switzerland and went to bed to get some sleep before catching a red eye flight to London.RyanAir to London copy.jpg

I haven’t been to London in 24 years. My memory of London is Hamley’s and the Harrod’s toy section.

My first culture shock was the public transport and more specifically, The Tube. “Mind the gap!”

Oh my gosh. If you aren’t used to it, it’s overwhelming. It is AMAZING how it works, but it’s overwhelming with figuring out the different lines, the lack of oxygen in some areas (it made me a little sleepy) and how everyone just rushes from platform to tube, sits (or stands) and everyone keeps to themselves – earbuds in and buried noses in books, newspapers, tablets/phones. You could spot that I was a tourist (not from the camera around my neck), but by the fact that I was the one looking around and people watching. I studied those colourful lines and tried to work out the routes, but if you’re not used to it, it’s crazy!The Tube copyMind the Gap copyNothern Line copy.jpgWe arrived at the station where Tandi and Ross live and saw them standing outside. Colliers Wood station copyThere were hugs and grins as we headed to the bus stop.IMG_2039 copy We were welcomed into their home with a “welcome” sign on the bed.
Welcome to London copyWelcome copyAfter we gave them their birthday gifts, had a quick bite to eat, we set off to explore.Tandi opening gifts copyTandi opening her 30th gift copy

We set off on the Tube again and then walked to Notting Hill and Portobella road…  This way to Nottinghill copyNottinghill copyBailey and Tandi Nottinghill copyI love the ice cream colour homes…Icecream homes in Nottinghill copyNottinghill Portobella copyPortobella Market copyWe walked along looking at all the stores and stealing quick photos. Vendors kept getting upset with me for taking photos and each time they’d say: “No photos!” I found it strange, especially since this is such a touristy area.Portobello copyEnglish Tea stand at Portobella Market copyPortobello Market store copySecond hand books at Portobella Market copyWe found The Notting Hill Bookshop, made famous by the Notting Hill Movie with Hugh Grant & Julia Roberts. I also purchased 2 books from the store…a book on Chanel and on Frieda Kahlo.Rushing to Nottinghill copyThe Nottinghill Book Shop copyWe walked to Covent Gardens, got a Starbucks coffee and walked around there.London Cab copyStarbucks copyBailey Starbucks 1 copyBailey with Starbucks copyCell phone vs Telephone Box copy
Covent Garden Market 2 copyCovent Garden Market copyJamie Oliver restaurant in Covent Garden Market copyJamie Olivers Secret Bar entrance copyJamie Oliver Secret Basement Bar Sign copyWe walked to the Seven Dials and saw children run through colourful Neal’s Yard… while people sat with food, ice creams and coffees on the benches.Seven Dials copyNeals Yard  copyNeals Yard Seven Dials copyRoss and Sox Blue copyRoss and Sox copySeven Dials 4 copySeven dials BW copyBe careful of the black cabs… they’re fast! You have to be careful of the cabs copySeven Dials with Tandi copyMatilda copyWe explored Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus…
London 1 copyLittle Miss Sunshine cups copyPicadilly Circus copyTandi and I went into Charlotte Tilbury, a beauty store. When we looked out of the store, we saw our husbands standing waiting for us. It was just so funny, because it looked as if there were an invisible line that they couldn’t cross into the world of make-up.Waiting for the girls copyWaiting outside Charlote Tilbury copyGuards Crimean War Memorial copy.jpgFrom there, with aching legs and feet ( I have never walked so much in my life), we head off to St. James Park. We stretched out on the grass watching and feeding the squirrels and pigeons. St. James Park with DJ Sox copyRTSSt JamesTandi Ross Sox copyUnion Jack copyUnion Jack by St. James Park copyI love the shot below because it really captures the dynamics of the park. Men in business suits walking through, couples sunning themselves on deck chairs and groups of friends chatting and having picnics.St. James Park 2016 copySt. James Park 2 copyFeeding Pigeons 2 copyPigeons copyFeeding Pigeons copyRoss and I in park copyRoss and I in park 2 copySquirrel at St James Park copySquirrels copyRTSSt JamesAfter a good leg stretch, we headed to the Horse Guards Parade and the Royal Naval Division Memorial.Horse Guards Parade copyRoyal Naval Division Memorial 2 copyBailey Schneider at the Royal Horse Guards Parade copyGuard copyWe landed up at our final destination for our first day… Trafalgar Square!London Building 2 copyNear Trafalger 2 copyNear Trafalgar copySox near Trafalger copyTrafalgar Square copyTrafalgar Square 3 copyTrafalger Square 2 copySubway Kisses copySubway Sox and Bailey copyWhat a FULL day! It was absolutely amazing…

London Day 2 coming next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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15 Comments

  • Reply Megan Hartwig

    AWESOME photo’s…felt like I was in London too. Can’t wait to see what you got up to next 😉 xx

    September 7, 2016 at 9:34 am
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      Thanks Megan 😉 x

      September 7, 2016 at 9:35 am
  • Reply Natasha Viljoen

    Wow, you properly crammed A LOT into one day! Looking forward to your next blogs 🙂

    September 7, 2016 at 9:46 am
  • Reply Cheryl Humphries

    WOW!!! Such lovely pictures of a fantastic time filled with memories 🙂 x

    September 7, 2016 at 11:16 am
  • Reply Charmaine

    Awesome first day! Made me properly nostalgic and missing the U.K. a lot! Can’t wait to see the rest 🙂

    September 7, 2016 at 11:17 am
  • Reply Kate Kearney

    I get tired just looking at these, awesome pics!! 🙂

    September 7, 2016 at 12:04 pm
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      Hahaha… I cannot get over how much we did in 5 days… I think my legs are still sore!

      September 7, 2016 at 5:06 pm
  • Reply Jackie Katzen

    I have never been to the UK, looks so stunning

    September 9, 2016 at 10:59 am
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      It’s quite the experience! Thanks so much for reading 🙂 Have a good weekend x

      September 9, 2016 at 3:03 pm
  • Reply Megan Keith

    Wow! What a jam-packed day 1! You must have been completely exhausted after that! Xx

    September 9, 2016 at 12:24 pm
  • Reply Vanilla Blonde - London Day 3 - Vanilla Blonde

    […] you read London Day 1 and Day 2? Oh good… Let’s get into Day 3 […]

    September 12, 2016 at 6:15 am
  • Reply Vanilla Blonde - Switzerland Part 1 - Vanilla Blonde

    […] you haven’t caught up on the first part of our trip, catch up here: London Day 1, London Day 2, London Day 3, London Day 4 & London Day […]

    September 16, 2016 at 6:54 am
  • Reply Caley

    Can’t believe you got so much done in ONE day! So much walking!!
    x

    September 19, 2016 at 8:58 am
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      I’ve never walked that much in my life!! LOVED it though!

      September 19, 2016 at 9:44 am
  • Reply Dennis Theunissen

    Wow Bailey I loved this first part – London so colourful in places – had to laugh at your comment about ‘guys’ not entering “Makeup Heaven” also enjoyed the delight on your face feeding the pigeons – look very cool in your jeans with knees exposed Enjoyed reading

    September 22, 2016 at 3:53 am
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