From 2 PM on Saturday through 10 PM on Monday, I was “very active” as my hostel bunkmate put it. I think what she was really saying was, “can you please stop making noise so late and so early?” When you only have two days, you have to make the most of it! (Read: prepare for a long picture post.) Here is what I did and saw:
![First stop after checking in at the hostel was Hyde Park Stables to book a time to ride if possible. It was! 4 PM Monday.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8400-225x300.jpg)
Next, I wanted to see the American Embassy. I had been told it was a big imposing building and not worth precious tourist time, but being stubborn in my desires, I pressed on.
Enroute to the Embassy I encountered two horse statues directly opposite each other and diametrically opposed in nature.
![Genghis Khan sculpture near Marble Arch](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8408-225x300.jpg)
!["Still Water" by the Marble Arch](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8405-225x300.jpg)
![The Marble Arch, naturally](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8409-300x225.jpg)
Given what everyone had said about the embassy, I found it to be quite appealing for a walk by. I don’t think I will make visiting Embassies a must-do on every trip abroad, but I have the picture I wanted.
![The eagle is pretty impressive for a "boring building"](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8412-300x225.jpg)
![In front of the Embassy!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8414-225x300.jpg)
Then, without any particular intention on my part, I arrived on Regent Street and was grateful to find all of the stores open for business.
![Flags all down the street](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8421-300x225.jpg)
![Victoria's Secret in London](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8418-225x300.jpg)
![It was four stories! Though the fourth was really only a sitting area for the bored menfolk.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8419-225x300.jpg)
![Regent Street Apple store! (Free wifi!)](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8423-225x300.jpg)
![Nike store - four stories as well.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8425-300x225.jpg)
![Hamley's was recommended as a visiting destination. It is a Giant toy store.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8427-300x225.jpg)
![Enough toys?](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8432-225x300.jpg)
![It was fun to walk through the toys from my childhood, like Playmobil (though I did not have the unicorn set).](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8440-300x225.jpg)
![I had these too! Have not seen them in years.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8442-225x300.jpg)
![Great puzzles by Ravensburger](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8443-300x225.jpg)
![You know those things they sell in Sky Mall from popular movies? Hamley's has a whole section for that.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8445-225x300.jpg)
![So many wands...](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8448-300x225.jpg)
![Who buys this stuff?](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8452-300x225.jpg)
![Naturally the Lego section had the Lego Royal Family.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8453-300x225.jpg)
![Her Majesty the Queen, and one of her many corgis.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8456-225x300.jpg)
![This was as close as I came to the Crown Jewels (I had seen them with my parents and felt a second visit was not necessary).](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8455-225x300.jpg)
![One of Mom's and my favorite stores was also on the street.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8459-300x225.jpg)
![They had many cute handbags, but I opted for a picture of these carabiners as I felt they best symbolized the tendency to make a practical item into a luxury accessory.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8460-300x225.jpg)
![Obligatory visit to Piccadilly Circus.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8462-225x300.jpg)
![Next stop, King's Cross Station's Platform 9 and 3/4. I traveled via tube where I found a Lego schematic of the underground.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8474-300x225.jpg)
![Almost there!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8476-300x225.jpg)
![First impression of the station: a very cool basketball net.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8477-300x225.jpg)
![Line for pictures at Platform 9 and 3/4 - and this was at 9 PM! My feet were so tired, I almost skipped the experience. Instead I distracted myself with Cosmo on the iPad.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8479-300x225.jpg)
![Finally my turn! This is for you Lauren F.!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8481-225x300.jpg)
Tired with sore feet, I took the tube back to the hostel. I love riding the tube. The gentle rocking and rhythm of the stops puts me to sleep.
![I <3 tube.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8484-300x225.jpg)
Despite staying up late on Saturday to post about my visit with Penguin Friends, I rose early on Sunday to travel to St. Paul’s Cathedral with the intention of attending the 11 AM service. I may have slept in later if the room was darker or more quiet, but as it was, I was up and ready to go.
![IMG_8492](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8492-225x300.jpg)
![Looking up to the dome. (You can pay to climb it on weekdays.)](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8493-225x300.jpg)
![Arrived at the front.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8502-300x225.jpg)
No photographs allowed inside, but I am sure you can find some through our good pal Google. The Sung Eucharist was excellent, and I am glad I was there early and able to have a seat close to the front. If I could go to St. Paul’s every Sunday, I might just consider it.
Onward and outward, next on the agenda was to take a picture of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and visit the Tate Modern. The next photo was taken from the Millennium Bridge. There were actually two very similar photos but in the first, I was more centered and the picture taker suggested I move to the side so that I did not appear to be “wearing a very fancy hat.” 🙂
![The Globe! I could have gone to the exhibition, but I opted to save my pounds for the champagne at Harrod's.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8508-300x225.jpg)
![Looking back on the bridge.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8515-300x225.jpg)
![Entering the Tate.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8530-300x225.jpg)
![First stop was the gift shop (it was the first "exhibit" I encountered) and there was a unicorn!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8516-300x225.jpg)
![Picasso Numero Uno](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8518-225x300.jpg)
![Picasso Numero Dos](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8520-225x300.jpg)
![Any Tigers out there recognize a kindred spirit in the Esso sign?](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8522-300x225.jpg)
![Red, Yellow, and Blue](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8524-300x225.jpg)
I think modern art might be a little lost on me. I just don’t understand what makes one person’s creation “art” and another’s “junk.” Of course, I recognize that I do not have the skill to paint portraits, but some of what I saw wasn’t rocket science.
Given that a portion of the galleries was devoted to dream related artwork, I thought it was appropriate that I further engage the art by taking a nap on one of the couches. I was not the only one so inspired by the exhibits, and it was a most effective recharge.
![The girl in the left corner is exhibiting the same posture I had just abandoned.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8525-300x225.jpg)
After my deep exploration of the dream like state at Tate, I elected to walk toward Buckingham Palace to see if the baby plaque was still outside.
![En route to Palace, I noticed the omnipresence of Big Ben - something I would definitely enjoy if I lived in London.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8551-300x225.jpg)
![Approaching The Mall to the Palace.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8552-300x225.jpg)
![Closer still!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8555-300x225.jpg)
![Arrived!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8561-300x225.jpg)
![No luck on the plaque, but I made the most of the visit.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8564-300x225.jpg)
![Not bad, right?](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8573-300x225.jpg)
Checking the time, I saw it was after 6 PM when most places closed, so I thought I would turn in early to write in my journal which was desperately behind and my postcards which I would mail at Harrod’s but then I saw a few runners go by and thought “how amazing it is that their ‘normal run’ is past Buckingham Palace?” In seconds, my rest-and-sleep plan because go running! Back to the hostel to change and return to Green Park station and the Palace.
In this next series of photos that I took on my run, there is a gentleman whose name is Humphry. He saw me waiting on my Garmin watch to sync with the satellites and asked if he could join me on my run. I found this really strange, but I did not know how to say no. Why is it that people don’t feel rude asking to join me but I feel rude saying no? Oh well. Chalk it up to another experience I guess. Otherwise, it was a good run around St James’s Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Green Park.
![Waiting on satellites outside Green Park Station.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8585-300x225.jpg)
![Running around the park.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8586-300x225.jpg)
![Running by the Palace, NBD.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8593-300x225.jpg)
![Lake in Hyde Park.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8597-300x225.jpg)
Energy spent again, I made my way back via tube to the hostel for a shower and to prepare for a final full day.
My Monday morning plan was to see the Changing of the Guard at 11:15 AM, and to get there very early and find a good spot. I was onsite by 10 AM. I had read that the Palace State Rooms were open for touring, but online tickets were sold out. Feeling that it was worth a shot, I visited the onsite ticket office and to my surprise, found I was able to purchase a ticket for the 12:15 AM entrance – I was going in the Palace!! This gave me new motivation as I embarked on the long wait for the guards at the very front of the Palace gates.
![Before the guard change, I was able to get this clutch photo.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8610-300x225.jpg)
![This picture of the twist ties of Buckingham Palace is for Cady E. The spot I picked to wait was in the corner between the rope and metal barrier - does not get any better.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8611-300x225.jpg)
![Clear view of the gates.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8612-225x300.jpg)
![Throngs of tourists waiting.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8613-300x225.jpg)
![It was quite comical when it began to drizzle and all the umbrellas went up.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8618-300x225.jpg)
![Our front gate mounted police officer on Merlin.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8628-300x225.jpg)
![In comes the first band!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8622-300x225.jpg)
![And the second.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8634-300x225.jpg)
![The House Cavalry made an appearance.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8637-300x225.jpg)
![And before long, they were making their way out. Show's over folks!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8642-300x225.jpg)
![Time for me to go in the Palace!!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8651-300x225.jpg)
The rooms were magnificent from floor to ceiling. The featured exhibit reflected the Diamond Jubilee and included the Coronation dress from 1953 and many other pieces. Unfortunately no pictures allowed inside the Palace, but there are some good ones online.
![Two plus hours later, I emerged on the far side of the Palace.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8659-300x225.jpg)
![Not having eaten since breakfast, I enjoyed some ice cream from Windsor Castle farms.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8664-225x300.jpg)
![A view across a portion of the 39 acre park around the Palace, not too shabby!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8662-300x225.jpg)
Next stop: Harrod’s Champagne Bar because why not?
![Making bubbly dreams come true!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8671-300x225.jpg)
![Watching the bubbles.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8674-225x300.jpg)
I wish I had more time to enjoy my champagne, but I was afraid I would be late for my horseback riding appointment. So I had to drink and dash, and it was a literal dash across Hyde Park, which is bigger than you might expect. Thankfully, I was still able to ride even though I was a few minutes late.
![More dreams coming true! I rode Sonny Boy around Hyde Park, which means I have now ridden horses in North America, South America, Africa, and Europe.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8676-300x225.jpg)
Extremely pleased with the day, I made the journey back to the hostel to shower and collect my luggage.
With baggage in tow, I made a final stop at Harrod’s – it was where I wanted to mail my postcards (they have a postbox inside). There were also a few stores I wanted to see including:
![The enchanted forest toy store;](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8691-225x300.jpg)
![The Disney store;](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8693-300x225.jpg)
![and the Apple store.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8694-300x225.jpg)
![This light fixture in the home goods department was a bonus (I'd like to meet the people who shop at Harrod's for home goods).](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8692-300x225.jpg)
![As was getting my picture with one of the many Harrod's Bears.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8697-225x300.jpg)
![I missed the plaque/announcement, but it was fun to see displays around the city.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8700-225x300.jpg)
With hours to go before my flight and no plans to stay at a hostel or hotel, I decided why not go in search of The Porcupine restaurant from my ill-planned bus excursion ten days or so prior.
![This time I rode the tube and was much more successful.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8703-225x300.jpg)
![The interior of the Porcupine.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8704-300x225.jpg)
![Last pint in London!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8705-225x300.jpg)
![I was here!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8706-225x300.jpg)
Post meal, I made my way via tube to the airport for a long wait.
![After a very poor rest on the bench on the left, it was time to pack up and leave.](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8708-300x225.jpg)
![Back in Greenville, SC!](http://carlyfsummers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_8715-225x300.jpg)
you are indeed ‘very active’, but props for making the most of your time. Looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks Spudd – it was a blast! Wish I was still there…