London: Day 5 (Thursday, April 18)

We had tickets booked for the Tower of London on Thursday. We tried to get there on the early side to avoid the worst of the crowds, but it was still packed even at 10 am. Nonetheless we joined a tour led by a Yeoman Warder and heard stories about the Tower's grisly past. We didn't see the Crown Jewels--the line was just too daunting, and we were ready for something to eat.

It was yet another beautiful day--we didn't even bring our coats along--and we sat for a while on some steps looking out over the Tower, eating ice cream cones from a food truck. I saw a few people with bags of what looked like very enticing grilled chicken from a place called Assemheim's, so we headed over there to get some lunch, with the plan to sit outside. Andrew was not on board, preferring a pub lunch and sitting down at an actual table, but he went along. He and I got chicken from Assemheim's and everyone else got various things from Pret a Manger. We sat on a wall in a little green area to eat, which wasn't ideal. But spilling out of the pub in front of us were crowds of bankers celebrating the end of their half day, drinking a few pints. They were dressed almost identically, in navy blue suits. An interesting slice of London life.

We took Thursday afternoon to finally go to the stores we'd been wanting to go in all week. Waterstone's was first, maybe my favorite bookstore. I chose two books and then went to the children's floor, an overwhelmingly fantastic selection of books separated for young adults, 9-12 years, and 5-8 years. So many great books. I bought the girls each two books, and Mom and Dad bought them each another. Andrew chose a book for himself too. I'm not sure how we're going to get all these back to NJ with us, but we'll manage.

Next was a stop at Liberty, which is an amazing building itself. I found a kit with small pieces of Liberty fabric to sew into a nine-patch pillow cover--a perfect souvenir. We also browsed at Boots, and Mom got some loose tea at a tea shop.

After a break at home, we went back out for dinner at Belgo in Covent Garden, where we had an amazing dinner of moules frites (me and Andrew), fish and chips (Mom and Dad), and spaghetti and meatballs (L&G). All delicious. Our desserts were small filled donuts. Delicious all around. 

Late Thursday night, after the kids were in bed, Andrew and I went to a pub down the block to meet up with Andrew's cousin, currently living in London, and her fiance. 

Can't believe tomorrow is our final day. We've packed so much in.