On our way to London to celebrate Amanda's (and Mo's) birthday, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast in the British Airways Lounge, courtesy of the sweet check-in agent who noticed it was Mo's birthday. A most civilized way to await our departure!
We flew all day, and arrived in London just in time to meet Amanda, Blair and Barbara at a great pub around the corner from our hotel. Here's the two birthday celebrators at 11:59 -- double trouble.
In the morning, we had the most relaxing walk from our hotel, along the newly opened Exhibition Road, through Kensington Gardens and to the ice rink where Bex was having her skating lesson...
Skating! She did so well, and was totally unperturbed by the throngs of other lesson-learners. Most importantly, she had a blast. Awesome.
From skating we headed back into Kensington Gardens to the Palace, where Gussy was having his soccer lesson.
And there he is, in the blue pants, black coat and cute hat. About to watch the boy who couldn't come up with a joke fast enough have to run sprints. That'll learn 'em!
Auntie = good influence.
See? Bad auntie. This photo-op was on our walk home from soccer, after a stop at the Starbucks that Kate, Duchess of Cambridge frequents (no sign of her this day), and part of the exceptional tour that Bex gave us along the route to Holland Park and their home.
And when we arrived back at home, we found snacky-cakes for Mo's birthday and a wonderful sausage lunch! Mo's dream!
Most cool of all, we finally got to visit the house that these two little gremlins call home.
Some sing "Happy Birthday to you," some sing "Stick your head down the loo." Mo loves both equally.
My sporting heart swells with pride at my nephew's bedroom door! Gunners AND Revs. GOOD BOY!
After lunch at the J's, we ran some errands around our hotel. Harrods, naturally. Carphone Warehouse to snag a disposable phone. Stopped in at the bookies for Mo to have a punt. Oh yeah. Derelicts! (Turned out a charm! Winner! Boom.)
And the reason we came to the UK, Amanda's lovely birthday dinner party at the amazing River Cafe. It was so great to meet so many of her friends, and she and Blair put on an absolutely wonderful meal. Good company, good food, good times. Thanks, guys!
We had been mistakenly informed that the Patriots/Broncos would be available in our hotel room, so when we arrived back to our room after dinner and found it to be no dice, it was on. Emergency plan in effect: Jump in a cab at 12:30AM, get to the Patriots UK FanClub headquarters in Marylebone, watch the game at 1:00AM, get back to the hotel by 4:30AM, pack and be ready to be in a cab to Euston Rail Station at 7:30AM. Once we wrapped our head around it, it worked out fantastically. Met some fun people, had a great outcome and even got to sleep for a couple before cruel morning!
