Oct 2013 - Halloween and Goodbye to 117

The last week of October our Household Goods shipment finally arrived.  Only two months at sea...  We were scheduled to move into our new house on Oct 28, and movers were to arrive Oct 29.  The younger kids had a Halloween party scheduled at Whole Foods on the 28th, so I took them to the party and left Donnie and Abby to rent a van and move our personal belongings to the new place.  They moved 18 bags of luggage, plus our express shipment of school books, extra clothes, and uniforms. Donnie managed to drive the rented van on the correct side of the street, follow the traffic signs, and stop at MOST of the zebra crossings.  Or so I hear!

The movers couldn't bring their truck down our street due to size restrictions.  They hand-carried everything from one street over.  It took 2 days to move in 6000 lb.  

The kids were sad to leave 117, and even more sad that Halloween was not widely celebrated in the UK.  Donnie had to leave town on the 31st for a dinner on the coast; we were a mess of melancholy in our new house!  As evening came we heard some kids running down the street and I went out to say hello.   They mentioned that just 2 streets over was one of the few streets that did trick or treating!  We threw on costumes and headed out with a pillowcase to tote home candy. 

Donnie had a grand night on the HMS Victory.  And by the way, Happy 15th Anniversary to us!

117.  Too bad it's trash day!

Taking the bus to our new house.

Hotel next to 117.

Ebury Wine Bar at the end of our street. 

Our "paper friends" we made to play with!

And paper swords, crowns, and pickaxes.

Last day in 117.

Off to our party at Whole Foods.

Full size pumpkins decorated at Whole Foods.  We had to make a separate trip the next day back to Whole Foods to bring them home.

Dinner on the HMS Victory.

Oct 2013 - More Sightseeing

The Wellington Arch is located just behind Buckingham Palace.  There are several different memorials to war placed around the park.  One of our favorites is the UK-New Zealand monument.

Picking dandelions.

Gate at the arch. 

We keep accidentally happening upon the Changing of the Guard.  It happens at 11:00 am, and that's always about when we are out!   On this day we continued walking all the way through St James's Park to the Royal Horse Guards.

Directing traffic as we wait for the guards to cross.

At the Royal Horse Guards

Oct 2013 - Uncle Patrick Visits

My brother-in-law Patrick (Amy's husband) was in London for a week on business, but he stayed a few days extra to hang out with us!  The kids were very excited to see someone from home.  

At the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Hyde Park.

 

Sherlock Holmes?

Royal Albert Memorial

Patrick took Abby to the Tower of London and the Monument to the Great Fire of London.  They climbed the Monument.  Glad we didn't take the little kids to that one!  Later in the day we met up at Greenwich to see the Prime Meridian and Observatory.  Note that pictures are not allowed in the Tower of London.  That's my rule breaking 13 year old at work!

View from the Monument

The climb. 311 steps.

The Monument

View of Tower Bridge from the Tower of London.

In the Tower of London

Nevermore! Nevermore!

The view of the Royal Navy College from the Greenwich Observatory.  This is such a beautiful place.  Canary Wharf is in the background.

Most brilliant sundial ever.  The point where the dolphin tails touch in the shadow is the time.  Very accurate.

Dinner at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant in Greenwich.  This was honestly some of the worst food I have had in the UK!  Sorry Jamie.

Oct 2013 - Out Shopping With Dad

Yes, those are sheep in the middle of the city.

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Christmas decorations are starting to appear.

Oct 2013 - More Parks

We spent most of October looking at houses to rent and playing in parks.  The locals complain constantly of the weather, but we think it is amazing!  

Regents Park

 Hyde Park

Peter Pan statue

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

St Luke's Church and Park

St Luke's is one of my favorite parks.  The church converted its cemetery to a garden (on one side) and a playground with sports field and rock climbing (on the other side).   This park is a short walk or a very short bus ride from our house. 

St Luke's from the garden

Inside is always open, and there is a small cafe with coffee, tea, and light snacks.