UK trip March 3-14th, 2010

I simply LOVE London. Love it. Love it. Love it. Aside from a day trip to Leamington Spa and a Scotland get-a-way, I didn’t do many touristy things (both will be in separate posts). Just spent time with dear friends whom I met in Paris and have moved to London. I tried to be a “local”. We laughed until our belly’s ached. I stayed with Erin whom I met at our grocery store in Paris one random day. She moved to London about 6 months after we met and we were so sad we hadn’t met earlier. We lived very close to each other and could have had lots of fun! I also got to see my wonderful friends Christina (met in Paris and now lives in London) and Elise (still lives in Paris but came to visit)! I got to see Darron’s cousin Jessica who has also recently moved to London. We frequented Starbucks (my friend Erin is slightly addicted to coffee), shopped for books (LOVED all the bookstores), and groceries (I had a mile long list of things I wanted to bring back to Moscow), and walked around different areas. I REALLY lucked out with the weather. Sunny skies all but one day of my trip! That’s a rarity in London!

I loved learning all the fun “Londonisms” or “Britishisms” and using them!

A HUGE Thank You to Erin and Kevin for putting up with me for 12 days! I hope to come back next year-get the Carcassone out! :-)

I love this! They call Bandaids Plasters! Made me chuckle.

Starbucks. The pricing was very similar to the US Starbucks. In Moscow…items are more than double the price! From left to right: Erin, Christina, and yours truly!

I love these old fashioned phone booths!

Kensington Palace

This has made me laugh every time I’ve been in London. I will admit, it IS difficult remembering which way to look when crossing! This was a bike path, but even regular streets had “look left” and “look right”!

My friend Erin’s “hood”. She doesn’t live in these particular buildings, but around the corner. Notice the sunny skies?

Saturday market near Erin’s. We bought tea, dinner pies, and had a shot of gin! And yes Erin, just because it was a tiny shot—it’s still a shot! :-)

Erin, Kevin (her hubby) and I taking a bus to Notting Hill. God Love Kevin AGAIN for putting up with two 30 something giggly women!

The bookstore that was in the movie “Notting Hill”.

Just one of the many types of DELISH cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery. P.S. I bought their cookbook! :-) Great, my backfat already runneth over…

Christina and I bought matching hats!

Darron’s cousin Jess. I was so happy we were able to connect with her!

Oh how I miss you Lauderee (and Janae)! Laudree was my friend Janae and my’s favorite place for macaroons and tea in Paris.

Fancy Lauderee teapot!

My dear friend Elise

This sign made me giggle. Brits use the word fancy for “do you want"”? Fancy a chat? Fancy a tea? Or even…Fancy a nibble…?