Wow, day 18 already? Doesn't seem real. We are more than half way through our big UK vacation-palooza. Every moment has been amazing. Let me not exaggerate, most moments have been amazing. The others are a mix of abject terror (driving) and annoyance (twin 12 year olds bickering). So many more amazing than not, though. It really has been magical.
Today the reality of being 2/3 of the way through was in focus. Very early this morning, Mrs. Koog kissed us goodbye and headed to her train that took her to Gatwick Airport for a plane that took her to Croatia to meet her sisters and friend for the 50th birthday yacht/bike extravaganza. The boys and I were relieved when she called as soon as she landed safely.
As for us, we spent the day in London shopping and chatting and riding the tube. The kids are very familiar with the Tube now and pretty much navigate me through the underground stations. Today, we headed from Farringdon to Knightsbridge to Harrod's! As I was talking to the kids about going to Harrod's they were not enthused. E-Koog thought it was basically Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. I tried to explain the scale of the store, but it really is something you have to see to believe.
We exited the Knightsbridge tube station and were right there at Harrod's! It became clear to the little Koogs as soon as we entered just how different this store is to Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. The door closest to us was into the perfume department. While it was definitely sensory overload, it didn't stink as some stores do with the mix of scents. B-Koog thought we entered a perfume store and missed Harrod's altogether. It was not until he saw the grand center escalators and their Egyptian themed decor that he realized that the "perfume store" was actually a small section in a huge store!
Men's wear was the first stop on the shopping extravaganza. E-Koog immediately found a pair of Gucci white leather sneakers. For £695. Hard no, buddy! We wandered around the entire floor looking at things and talking about why I would not consider a blue leather Bottega Veneta backpack for £2,870. They both agreed that the store was amazing and that we would not be going crazy even with the absence of our adult! After hitting all floors, we headed to the Harrod's gift floor to get some appreciation gifts for those back in Maryland that have taken care of our homestead, and most importantly, Doggie-Koog. A month would not be possible without our army of friends to help out. Best part about shopping at Harrod's is they ship everything you buy for the entire day for one flat fee of £25.
After all that looking and shopping, we needed to eat! E-Koog is a burger freak and B-Koog (and I) are huge fans of Gordon Ramsay. Harrod's had a Gordon Ramsay Burger cafe in the store. I've never seen my little Koogs move faster than when they saw the Gordon Ramsay Burger sign. Food was super good. Boys also had shakes that, according to E-Koog, "taste like the vanilla clouds of heaven." It was a great lunch. We just sat there talking about the interesting things we saw in the store, how it seems impossible that we are more than 2/3 finished with vacation and how to buy a house in Wales without Mrs. Koog knowing. The latter is unsolvable.
Belly full and wallet lightened, we walked to the Tube and headed to Piccadilly Circus. One of the excustions is a hike in Belfast to Giant's Causeway and we decided walking sticks were necessary. So we headed to Sports Direct and wandered through that store. They had Gelert Sticks on sale 2 for £13. Coincidentally, Gelert was the dog that Beddgelert was named after in Wales. Use the Google machine to look up the story of Gelert, or head over to Postcard and a Pint on YouTube and watch the video. We also needed the Welsh football fan kit so we got that, too. Don't fret, Mrs. Koog it was on sale for £2 and includes Welsh football kit buntings for our basement bar. Or you can put them in the family room. Up to you my love!
Walking sticks and our Welsh football fan kit in hand, we walked back to the Tube and headed to Farringdon for the final time. It was rush hour and the trains were hot and crowded. Boys expertly navigated the tube stations as we needed to switch 3 times. We walked the 2 blocks to our flat and got to work packing.
Our car picks us up tomorrow in front of our unsleepable yet posh flat in Hatton Garden for the drive to Dover to board the ship. Boys are super amped up for the cruise, and the all you can drink soda package I got for them. I am excited for the massage I booked!
Until tomorrow...
Today the reality of being 2/3 of the way through was in focus. Very early this morning, Mrs. Koog kissed us goodbye and headed to her train that took her to Gatwick Airport for a plane that took her to Croatia to meet her sisters and friend for the 50th birthday yacht/bike extravaganza. The boys and I were relieved when she called as soon as she landed safely.
As for us, we spent the day in London shopping and chatting and riding the tube. The kids are very familiar with the Tube now and pretty much navigate me through the underground stations. Today, we headed from Farringdon to Knightsbridge to Harrod's! As I was talking to the kids about going to Harrod's they were not enthused. E-Koog thought it was basically Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. I tried to explain the scale of the store, but it really is something you have to see to believe.
We exited the Knightsbridge tube station and were right there at Harrod's! It became clear to the little Koogs as soon as we entered just how different this store is to Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. The door closest to us was into the perfume department. While it was definitely sensory overload, it didn't stink as some stores do with the mix of scents. B-Koog thought we entered a perfume store and missed Harrod's altogether. It was not until he saw the grand center escalators and their Egyptian themed decor that he realized that the "perfume store" was actually a small section in a huge store!
Men's wear was the first stop on the shopping extravaganza. E-Koog immediately found a pair of Gucci white leather sneakers. For £695. Hard no, buddy! We wandered around the entire floor looking at things and talking about why I would not consider a blue leather Bottega Veneta backpack for £2,870. They both agreed that the store was amazing and that we would not be going crazy even with the absence of our adult! After hitting all floors, we headed to the Harrod's gift floor to get some appreciation gifts for those back in Maryland that have taken care of our homestead, and most importantly, Doggie-Koog. A month would not be possible without our army of friends to help out. Best part about shopping at Harrod's is they ship everything you buy for the entire day for one flat fee of £25.
After all that looking and shopping, we needed to eat! E-Koog is a burger freak and B-Koog (and I) are huge fans of Gordon Ramsay. Harrod's had a Gordon Ramsay Burger cafe in the store. I've never seen my little Koogs move faster than when they saw the Gordon Ramsay Burger sign. Food was super good. Boys also had shakes that, according to E-Koog, "taste like the vanilla clouds of heaven." It was a great lunch. We just sat there talking about the interesting things we saw in the store, how it seems impossible that we are more than 2/3 finished with vacation and how to buy a house in Wales without Mrs. Koog knowing. The latter is unsolvable.
Belly full and wallet lightened, we walked to the Tube and headed to Piccadilly Circus. One of the excustions is a hike in Belfast to Giant's Causeway and we decided walking sticks were necessary. So we headed to Sports Direct and wandered through that store. They had Gelert Sticks on sale 2 for £13. Coincidentally, Gelert was the dog that Beddgelert was named after in Wales. Use the Google machine to look up the story of Gelert, or head over to Postcard and a Pint on YouTube and watch the video. We also needed the Welsh football fan kit so we got that, too. Don't fret, Mrs. Koog it was on sale for £2 and includes Welsh football kit buntings for our basement bar. Or you can put them in the family room. Up to you my love!
Walking sticks and our Welsh football fan kit in hand, we walked back to the Tube and headed to Farringdon for the final time. It was rush hour and the trains were hot and crowded. Boys expertly navigated the tube stations as we needed to switch 3 times. We walked the 2 blocks to our flat and got to work packing.
Our car picks us up tomorrow in front of our unsleepable yet posh flat in Hatton Garden for the drive to Dover to board the ship. Boys are super amped up for the cruise, and the all you can drink soda package I got for them. I am excited for the massage I booked!
Until tomorrow...
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