Buckingham!ff

We had a late start today (purposely planned that way so we could sleep in if needed!!!) but we actually didn't need the extra sleep. We have adjusted quite well to London time---it was meant to be. First up, Changing of the Guard. My research specifically said to get there by 10:30 for the best spot...so we did...and didn't get the greatest spot, but had an ok spot. I'm so glad we got there when we did though, it was PACKED! Not Royal Wedding packed, but still packed! The ceremony was much longer than expected and much of the stuff they did made us look at each other and ask why...It was still neat. There were so many people there though we couldn't get great photos of the Palace so we moved on.

We went to the Royal Mews which is the section of the Palace that houses the horses and carriages. This was really neat. There were a few of the horses in the stables and a whole bunch of carriages. Some of them are so over-the-top that I wouldn't have believed it if I had not been standing right there. And I am super happy to say that we most definitely saw the coach that Princess Diana used on her wedding day and the carriage that Kate and Wills rode back to the Palace in from their wedding. There was a gold coach too that was just amazing.

From there we got a quick bite to eat at a Panini shop...I don't remember the name...Panini something. Then walked back to Buckingham Palace and got more photos without quite as many people! We walked down The Mall then (the procession route that they used for the wedding---as well as most (all?) ceremonial events). Missed our turn so we went a bit far but walked passed No. 10 Downing Street (where the Prime Minister lives). Then went to the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum. This was pretty awesome. It is the place where Churchill and his Cabinet did all of their work during WWII. It was underground and safe from bombs. All of the rooms are either left exactly as they were when they left after the war was over or have been recreated exactly as they were (by using photographs and eye-witness accounts).

From there we took a break and sat on a curb outside to people watch---and give our feet a rest! I'm in the market for new feet now! haha

After that it was on to the Imperial War Museum. They had tons of old planes, tanks, bombs, cannons, etc. Jim was uber interested in this one. :) They also had a large Holocaust Memorial that was quite touching and very fitting since we'll be visiting Munich (where Hitler came to power) as well as Dachau Concentration Camp.

We went back to the flat for a rest and then headed to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. Could not find the restaurant...walked around and around and around...Finally found it and there was a 1 1/2 hour wait! So we skipped that and went to a little pub around the corner for some pizza. Stopped by the Rock Shop afterwards and came home at about 9:30pm. It was yet another great day!

Tomorrow is our Harry Potter day so we're headed to Oxford for some sightseeing in the morning!