Our Countryside Road Trip- yes, I did just say "countryside"

Since we have moved here we constructed a list of To Do's- places we have to visit and things we have to experience during our time here. Well this past weekend we marked a whole lot of sights off the list. Our first car rental experience was our trip to Bournemouth so the next was to the countryside.

First stop....Windsor Castle.
If your me, or any of my friends, and you visit England, Ireland, or Scotland one of the first thoughts popping in your head is- I have to visit and possibly sleep in a castle! Well, the Queen and the Royal family actually still do stay in Windsor Castle, but its sooo not the castle we had in mind. Windsor Castle looks like a castle from the inside, yet its very much a museum on the inside. It's settled in a very quaint town with a lot of tourist shops and high end designer stores. Now, don't get me wrong its a cute town to spend the day, but if I had my own castle I want it secluded from the rest of the town by a draw bridge and moat. Also, a dungeon and fire breathing dragon of some sort locked in a tower are both a must- not so much at Windsor Castle.

  

wannabe moat

yes, he did this

the crooked house

Next stop....Stonehenge

Stonehenge is something we had to see because it is so close and after all it is Stonehenge. We got suckered though. we paid 7.50 quid (slang for pounds) each to see a bunch of rocks standing up- the same thing we saw from the street for free. Word of advice for your visit- save the money and just get out of the car on the side of the road. However, if you do decide to go in- the gift shop has the most amazing lemon and raspberry curd!!!!!!

it took about 15 pictures to get this right- he was not happy!

Rest Stop....Farm House

For those of you who know me you are probably like- WTF?! yes this is true- we slept at a farm house B&B. It was cute, comfortable, and different. In the morning after our homemade English Breakfast we got a tour of the Polo Pony farm we were staying on.


Last stop....Oxford

Not so much the college town that the US may be thinking. More like Princeton with the small town feel- little cafes, restaurants, and shops. Really pretty to town to just spend the day walking around... we bought Jax a shirt from his future alma mater :o)

scenes from Harry Potter

carfax tower- does carfax really sponsor this tower? we climbed the 100 steps to find out

ok picture 100 steps on a narrow spiral staircase and....

and giant preggo- not a great mix

 On our way out of Oxford we stopped at the restaurant that Lewis Carroll became inspired to write Alice In Wonderland.

following the white rabbit

"you're late, you're late. for a very important date"!

look closely at this picture......

we didnt see the white rabbit, but we did see George Washington crossing the Delaware!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Mayor's Thames Festival

It was weird to be remembering September 11th and not be home.  We decided to go to a proper Sunday church service to pay our respects and remember all we have to be thankful for at the Westminster Abbey. WOW! unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures inside the church, but as soon as you enter you understand why Princess Di and William and Kate chose to have their wedding ceremonies there. Words cannot describe how breathtakingly amazing this church is. When you come and visit us- you'll have to see for yourself!

After mass we headed over the bridge for a day on the river. Londoners looovvveee festivals! this one was a little bit more like a festival you would see in the US. Food stands, arts and crafts, games for kids, street performers, did i mention the food stands. The big difference with festivals here in the UK is that grabbing a walk around beer and/or Pimms (a classic brit cocktail) is a must- well unless you are eight months pregnant. Anyway, the festival was on the South Bank. This is an area right on the Thames (very similar to a boardwalk, a very classy, upscale, expensive boardwalk). The London Eye, London Aquarium, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, The Tate Modern Museum, numerous little shops, cafes, and outdoor exhibits are all located within this little stretch. We have lived in London for 7 weeks now and have been to the South Bank three times- i guess you can say we really like it there. As you will be able to tell from the pictures that Tom took, we were very excited to get some legit polska kielbasa!

mmmmm! Ham and Cheese crepe- brings be back to Paris <3

Tom had to stop at every Polish tent...there were about 10!

LUNCH!

If you know anything about Tom's childhood this picture needs no explanation!

pugs, places, & picnics!

As I have previously mentioned 1 or twice, i miss my dog- we both do! well as i have been signing up for every 'mum-to-be' meetup group and website i came across a pug meetup in the park right behind Buckingham Palace- well we just happened to stumble upon it as we were out doing our touristy stuff. there had to be about 30 or so puggies just running around, no leashes, no fence, just playing and snorting. Elvis will love it!

Did you know that Big Ben is not the name of the clock tower, but actually the name of the bell inside the clock tower  Well now you know. Also, you cannot go inside the tower or the house of Parliament- Just an FYI that I was pretty surprised about.

Tom, Jax, Big Ben, and me

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

The London Eye is this ginormous ferris wheel that allows you to get a birds eye view of the entire city. Its one of the staple landmarks in London and a definite must do. Since it was such a gorgeous clear day in Londontown, we decided now would be the best time to mark the Eye off our 'to do' list. Now yes one may say that a big preggo shouldn't be going on rides- but its takes about a half hour to get fully around the wheel, so needless to say it wasn't a high intensity, fast moving ride.

Tom's work from the Eye

The Gerkin- a famous part of the London skyline. We like to call it the Faberge Egg!

There was a 4D movie to watch after the ride- Jax wanted to wear my glasses.

To finish off our day, and celebrate our first week of living in our London home, a picnic was just want the doctor ordered. Our house is 30ft away from a great park. Its always packed with families picnicking, kids riding their bikes or playing soccer and dogs playing fetch. Its the perfect place to just stop and relax on a sunny day. Ever since we decided we were going to move here, we have been talking about doing a picnic outside with the mega picnic basket we got for Christmas. By the way- picnicking is HUGE in the UK! what's better than a little wine, meat, cheese, and crisps to ring in a great day and our official London homecoming.

the notting hill carnival

It's been a little crazed over here with moving, baby prep, and trying to get out and see as much as London as possible, and of course the blogging has taken a back seat. Well get ready b/c coming at ya is a months worth of adventures :o) Please note the increased size of the bump, and the decreased size of Tom throughout the montage of pictures- NOT FAIR!

August 28th and 29th was the Notting Hill Carnival. It's the largest carnival in Europe and its all to celebrate the West Indian/Caribbean community. Now coming from New York/New Jersey you here carnival you think sausage and pepper sandwiches, funnel cake, games, carni folk... not in Europe!

In the middle of residential, posh Notting Hill erupted thousands of people drinking Red Stripe in the street, eating homemade jerk chicken and rice that were being sold within the gates of peoples homes, a parade of half naked men and woman wearing feathers and sequins, and music of the countries being represented. It was fun, expect when it was time to find a bathroom :o/

people walking towards the parade

food stands- the jerk chicken was goooood!

Me, Jax and a decaf coffee- my first one in 71/2 months!

all the shops along the parade route were boarded up- not just b/c of the recent riots, they do it every year!

Tom was a bit obsessed with her since she was only wearing a vajazzle.

close up! btw- nothing covered in the back!