We had read all sorts of articles about viewing the changing of the guards; what time to get there, where to view from, etc. Well none of that seemed to be spot-on. First we read you should get there by at least 10:30am to get a good spot at Victoria's Memorial, our intended viewing area. When we got there at 10am, it was already crowded. In fact, the whole area was already crowded, what time do these people get here?
We did find a spot at Victoria's Memorial and the weather held out well enough. However, the people that lined up against the fence really had the right spot, because the changing of the guards took place inside the gates from what I could tell. Then again, I must reveal the other half of the story.
Amber wasn't feeling all that well, and as luck would have it her and I had to depart right at the time that the guards were coming into view. She was sick and needed water (come to find out later, she had some bad left over chicken nuggets that didn't agree with her).
As we were trying to move from crowded area to open area to warm area with Amber to help her nausea improve, we did manage to capture a few pictures of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, back to the rental we went, foregoing the Royal Carriage Mews. We determined at this time that Amber was perhaps suffering from "not enough sleep" so a little nap to see if we could salvage the rest of the day. When we got her home, see threw up her breakfast of left over chicken nuggets and felt fine. A 30 minute nap and we'd wake her to go to the tea party.
Sometimes the kids get to comfy and you have to "dynamite" them out of the house for their own good, today was one of those days. Amber was sick but now better, but just wanted to sleep. Mason, had been on his phone all day and now once home didn't want to leave. Well darn it, we were leaving, not going to spend our last day in London, hanging at the house playing on devices!
Off we went to the Alice and Wonderland Tea Party at the St. James hotel. Brenda wanted to do a traditional tea event while in London, and when she found this one at the St. James, there was no other one that would do.
At any minute we were expecting the Red Queen, the Rabbit, or perhaps even Alice herself to pop around the corner for a meet a greet tea (we are too used to the Disney character meals), but alas, no character greet here. The layout and arrangement was still nicely done.
The food was more than enough and was a nice touch and way to end our Royal day. The remainder of the day was spent taking the tube up to Kings Cross station and to see the Harry Potter 9 3/4 store.
There was quite a long que to get into the Platform 9 3/4, so we decided we really didn't need to visit the inside. Having visited both we were on our way back to our home and a nearby souvenir shop for last minute souvenirs. I think we are all ready to return home where the climate is predictable and we don't have to walk so much and no subways.
