July 10, 2010 - London - Day 2

The morning started off with my long awaited meeting with Quincy the Boston Terrier! I took Sydney with me to Greenwich Park to meet Quincy and his two Boston sisters - Dottie and Pippin (and also their human parents).

In front of the famous Greenwich Mean Time clock at the Royal Observatory.

Bird's eye view of the city

Sydney being silly with Dottie and Quincy.

3 and 1/4 Terriers

After the meetup, the kids hit the hay for some naps and Papa and Nana went to the British Museum. Afterwards, I took the kids and met them in Camden Town - which is a giant market for many blocks.

As soon as we got there, we were starving. So we ate Martin style - got some fresh fruit from a vendor and parked it on the sidewalk. Raspberries, blueberries, bananas...

It was ALLLLLL good!

A couple of views of the crowds in Camden Town

During our walk - post Camden Town - we found an interesting statue coming out of a storefront window. Of course, Papa and Chase took advantage of the photo op.

I am starting to hit the wall on this walk...

Our little heathens.. can you guess where we are?

Come out Your Majesty!

Buckingham Palace!

Sydney is always ready for more - I think Chase is starting to hit the wall, too.

Statue of Queen Victoria in front of the Palace

Papa and I discussing our next move. The verdict... more walking!!!! (By the way - our big 10k race is the next day - apparently the walking didn't hurt my big PR!)

Walking with the squirrels. The kids were obsessed with doing 1, 2, 3 (which is where they swing between two adults arms while walking). I think they are fighting over who gets to do it in this picture.

Stopping at a little park for a squirrel break- letting the kids run loose for a little bit!

We got a naughty one off in the distance!

Oooh - a leaf! Much more interesting to Chase than Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey

Closed for the day, but we got to check it out up close on the outside.

Um... pretty sure that is not allowed. Squirrels I tell you!!!!

Striking a pose...

Back to the river walk.. we find someone dressed up in an old homemade looking Mickey costume. Papa thinks it will be a good idea to let Chase see him.

Not a good idea!!!!

Chase bird watching in the park near the London Eye.

We have a "Situation" here.

July 9, 2010 - London - Day 1

After a long day of traveling, we finally left France for England. We had our own little cabin on this train trip and it was very nice!!! :)

Once we got to our hotel room and settled in, we decided to walk to find a restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we continued to explore and found out that an area, right near our hotel, along the Thames, is hopping! It was a giant river walk!

Of course, we had to get some ice cream... and the kids sat down and enjoyed themselves.

Really enjoyed themselves...

Until....... we decided to eat the cones while we walked - and tragedy struck Chase's ice cream.

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So upset :(

Poor Chasey!

It will be okay, buddy. Let's clean up.

For a family photo in front of the London Eye, Big Ben and Parliament! Chase is still reaching for his ice cream cone..

We do our best...

Papa and Nana in front of Big Ben.

The river walk also had lots of street performers. This one was a favorite of ours. Someone was in some kind of shaggy dog contraption.. and they would operate the mouth to snap open and close. Sydney is playing with it to get it to react.

Making a silly face to taunt the dog creature.

I think he sent her running to Mama! Chase's turn!

Sydney in front of the London Aquarium

Staring up at the London Eye

As we ended our walk, we came upon this giant mushroom shaped sculpture with hundreds of little lights. The kids could climb on it - so it was a huge hit with them.

Little brother joins Sydney. Check out Big Ben in the background.

Chase dancing into the night in London...