BEST girls weekend in London

In this post:  how six "mums" had the best long weekend in London

Ok moms out there, how much do you appreciate get-aways with girlfriends? If you're like me, these occurrences don't make the calendar too often.  That makes them all the more precious.  It's not easy to get away.  If you've got kids at home and you are the one running the household activities, it's a real challenge.

Recently six moms came together in London (hailing from 3 different countries).  We're all from the Twin Cities, MN but two of us are living in Europe at the moment.

Here's what we did!
I'll provide the approximate timing to give you an idea for planning.  Getting around this city often takes much longer than one would think!

Friday - arrival to Heathrow about 12:00/12:30.  Settle into lodging about 2:00.  Departure to hit the city of London about 3:30.  We started at Westminster, eyeing The Eye, lingering on Westminster Bridge to take in the Houses of Parliament, exploring Westminster Abbey - the cloisters area was open.  We snuck back there and tried to peek into as many hidden corners of the Abbey as possible.  Choral boys rehearsed in the background and we seemed to be walking in another world, stepping upon the gravestones of all those important people who are lain in the floors.

Then we walked up Whitehall past 10 Downing Street to the Horse Guards Parade (photo opp with cheeky guard).  From here we walked to Trafalgar Square and even spent about 45 minutes in the National Galleries, taking in some Turner, Remrandts and VanGoghs among others that I am too dumb to recall.  Continuing on Pall Mall with glimpses of St James Palace (hoping to see Charles and Camilla but they didn't show).  Then we walked up Old Bond Street and drooled over the luxury shops, taking us up to Oxford Street (we vowed to come back later and spent thousands).  We spent some time browsing in Selfridges (I love that place!) before heading to our dinner destination:  Roti Chai on Portman Mews.  Caution - Do Not Walk Into the Invisible Glass Door like I did.  Ouch.  Ok, it's not invisible, I'm just a klutz!  Once recovered from my head injury, I must say I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was delicious.  Perhaps a bit over priced for the small portions, but really delicious.  They need more vegetarian options.  Try the Rose Lemonade, it was delightful.  For those who had an overnight flight, this was More Than Enough sightseeing and walking for the 1st day in London!!

Saturday - Saturday we went to the Portobello Road (Notting Hill) market.  There is something for everyone here - antiques, collectibles, clothing, food, trinkets, souvenirs, bookstores, unique gifts....  I recommend starting at Ladbroke Grove and heading south to Notting Hill tube station.  We timed it so that we arrived at Kensington Gardens for Afternoon Tea at the Orangery at 14:00.  A gorgeous setting and for 19.95, I think it is a nice price as well.  After our tea, we walked to South Kensington and visited the Victoria & Albert Museum from about 4:30 to 5:30, then continued to Harrod's (looking not buying, but again, vowing to come back and spend thousands).  We finished the day with dinner at some Lebanese Restaurant on Brompton Road (Al-Azeer) or something, I don't remember the name, but the food was decent and great prices too.  There were nice wrap sandwiches for as little as three pounds.

Sunday - Day trip to Cambridge.  We took a 9:30 train to Cambridge, arriving before 11am.  Walking to the city centre, we came upon the Market near the Tourist Office.  We booked a 1:00 two-hour walking tour and then had enough time to get some nibbles for lunch from the market.  The walking tour was well worth it.  Our guide was funny and informative.  I tried to bombard him with as many questions as possible.  The city is fascinating and I was clueless!  I secretly hoped that my IQ might be improved just from being in a city with so many intelligent people.  I had no idea there were 31 colleges that made up Cambridge University.  After the walking tour, we went to an Evensung service at the King's College Chapel.  Like our guide had warned, yes, the hair on the back of my neck did stand up.  Absolutely breathtaking.  I am not sure I took in a breath during the whole service, it's just one big trance.  Well after some religion we thought we'd better balance things out and head to a local pub.  Problem is, we couldn't find a table at The Eagle (the boys from the choir were hogging some of them).  We decided we had better see the river Cam before dark.  Venturing towards the famous Mathematical Bridge, we went on a whim and actually PUNTED.  Now don't ask me what this is, I'd never done it before, I thought punting had to do with American Football.  This punting was 6 silly middle aged ladies giggling in a flat boat being pushed along the river by a handsome school boy.  We got to see several of the colleges from the view of the river, bombard the schoolboy with questions about living in such a smart community, and passed under The Bridge of Sighs.  Ahhhhh.  It was lovely.  Pricey but I have to say it was worth it.  Alighting from the river we didn't have much time until our  evening train!  Not even enough time to get a Cambridge postcard!  It's still on the must buy list!  We ate at home Sunday evening, the ladies kind enough to say nice things about my homemade then frozen vegetarian moussaka, one of my favorite dishes discovered here in London.  The evening ended with one poor soul getting locked in the bathroom.  Oh the joys of old and not working so properly homes....

Monday - Once the house was clear (from smaller beings who went off to school) we lingered sipping coffee and tea and trying to decide what to do with ourselves.  The decision was made to head to Covent Garden, where we circled for hours up and down the little streets, drinking Monmouth Coffees and using the "Testers" at Neal's Yard Remedies, and longing over Orla Kiely items and stopping One Last Time at Cath Kidston.  Eventually we hit the massive Cool Brittania where they have every souvenir you can imagine and some you would have never thought of.  Next massive shop stop was the seven level Sports Direct (Lilly Whites), located at Picadilly Circus.  A great place to go if you want to find some football related items (aka soccer jerseys, jackets, etc). We meandered up Regent's Street to visit Liberty and Sweaty Betty.  The plan was to take the tube up to Primrose Hill where we had a dinner reservation; however, we got a good dose of London Transport when we came to Oxford Circus Tube Station and saw the hundreds - could it have been thousands? - of people waiting (and queuing very politely) to get into the station ("Crowd Control" for the platforms down below" the announcer said).  At that point we decided we would never make it to Primrose, feet were feeling heavy, tummies rumbling and thoughts turning to the all-too-near-reality that our fantasy time was soon over.  Therefore we did what every good Londoner would do.  We jumped on a bus and went to our local pub.  This pub, The Clifton, is a gem.  With a Zagat rating of 23, the local pub turns out some tasty menu items from the kitchen.  Our waiter was a delight who pleasantly accepted all our questions and order changes with a smile.  Lots of fish and chips with mushy peas were consumed.  What better way to end our time in London?

 Tuesday.....well, unfortunately, Tuesday contains one item.  Departure.  An arranged car came and whisked our fun to an end as the London memories began to settle into our hearts.

It was good times, girls!