London. 003.

A year ago this felt impossible.

Sometimes it’s hard to disentangle what’s actually impossible and what just seems that way.

This is your PSA that mums don’t need permission to have time and space to ourselves. We just need a bit of support and cooperation.

Notes from my adventure to London.

The flights both ways were a total bloody disaster and I lost 2 whole days to them. 🫠

On the plane I listened to Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and Pyramids by Terry Pratchett.

I’ve never slept on a plane, but I was so exhausted I dozed in and out of both.

I also started reading Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson, but quickly grew too tired and overstimulated to concentrate. (I finished it since coming home and it’s one of my favorite short stories he’s written.)

I got through the worst of the overnight layover laughing at this podcast episode What Was Going On In The Middle Ages? with Dr. Janina Ramirez & Jonathan Van Ness. Heads up for language. I couldn’t have listened to this one with Davy or he’s be swearing like a sailor.

I ended up flying in to London the next morning seated near singer Myles Smith & his touring band / crew. If you like acoustic music with British accents check it out.

When I finally arrived it was 12 hours after planned and I had to take a bus because of Tube shortages. It was past 1 am when I finally reached the hotel.

28 hours after leaving home. 🫠

While in London I saw…

Japan Myths to Manga at the Young V&A

Brick Lane

RSC’s My Neighbor Totoro

Covent Garden

Trafalgar Square

St. Martins (where I did brass rubbing)

Hadestown (I did a thread for my WoT fam here.)

Kew Gardens

I put together a photo essay for this one… Kew. A portal.

I shopped at…

Oxfam & Oxfam Books (Brits call thrift stores charity shops and they are a great place for inexpensive souvenirs.)

Transport for London Museum Gift Shop

Young V&A Giftshop

Totoro & Hadestown Gift Shops

I ate at…

Nandos

The Albert’s Deli (in Richmond)

Bills (great for a full English breakfast)

Greggs (cheeky bacon cheese wrap)

The Approach Tavern (near Whitechapel - amazing Sticky Toffee pudding)

Paul (French bakery chain and not as good as Greggs to be honest)

Round Table (pub near Covent Garden)

and a picnic at Kew Gardens.

I rode…

a London bus

Elizabeth Line

District Line

Piccadilly Line

Overground

Another photo essay because I am a huge nerd for the London Underground.

This post was cut short because I caught COVID, but I have lots more to say about this trip. Maybe I’ll circle back to it after I recover.

Meanwhile sharing what I have managed to get down.