15 Heritage Bus from Trafalgar

One of my most, MOST important London adventure wishes was to ride the 15 H route.  It's the only route that still runs the vintage buses, and what charmers they are. 

We tried earlier last year but had a bit a snafu when a, shall we say . . . less than cooperative . . . ticket collector spoiled our attempted trip.  Over a silly thing of which payment options were accepted we got shunted off the bus most disagreeably, although we had produced valid Oyster cards he dismissed them.  It was such an unpleasant experience (raised voices even--he was so out of line) that the children (and we) were a bit traumatized (also read, livid) and it took a little while to get the courage to try again.  The second time we knew what to expect, came prepared with the proper payment and no extra bags or stroller.  I also promised, with fingers crossed, that it would be a different ticket person.  Luckily it was!  The second try went off without a hitch and we quickly forgot the first failed endeavor. 

We rode from Trafalgar to the termination at Tower Hill, then turned around and rode it back again.  We saw Saint Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, got jostled so much I'm amazed I got any in-focus pictures, admired the upholstery fabric, rode the top front, the top back, the bottom front, watched the driver, and jumped off the back just as one does. 

Muddy Football and Doughnuts

 

Still trying to get myself to do more daily, joyful living memories on here and not just the big once-in-a-lifetime things.  Because truly every day is a big once-in-a-lifetime deal.  I'm grateful for all the moments that make up life, not just the prettiest pictures in the most exotic places.  I want to remember the leaky nose problem Eddy has all winter and the way Davy looks at me for approval and mock fighting over the last bite of doughnut when we are all already stuffed.

It doesn't rain nearly as much as I anticipated living in London, but you know, it does still rain a lot.  And rain makes mud.  Eliza was feeling a bit off the day we went to Primrose Hill for football so she watched with me.  She went through a time of wanting her big red bow right on the crown of her head every day, no matter what.  I'd forgotten that until seeing this picture again.  The shenanigans the boys got up to were pretty funny and muddy.

Collin took the boys to a real football match at a stadium while Eliza and I were in Utah and they LOVED it.  Eddy spent the gift money from Grandma on a proper football uniform and Davy used his saved up pocket money for one his size.  They have been wearing them for lessons and any other chance ever since.

My favorite doughnut bakery opened a brick and mortar location in Seven Dials near Covent Garden.  It's bad because it's open daily (instead of just several days a week in a booth at Borough Market) and nearer where we often go into the city.  And it's good because of those same reasons!  I've actually been very disciplined.  For example, this morning Eliza and I were a ten minute walk away when we went to the National Gallery activity but I didn't detour.  I've got to save it up for special occasions.  Collin treated us to each our own doughnut (+1!) one Saturday and wow did they disappear quickly and quietly.  The chocolate orange was even better than I dreamed, although I surprisingly still love the vanilla the most (and I am not a vanilla girl).  If any visitors come and need to try these I'd be happy to show you right where to find them.  Wouldn't put me out in the slightest.

Danish Home, Tivoli, and Nyhavn (Copenhagen Fjerde)

We didn't go out on the town for smorgesbord, but with some ingredients from the local grocery we made our own each night.  I loved putting it all out on wooden boards--I think I want to make this happen more often at home!  There was little complaining and everyone had happy full tummies at the end.

On a whim I also got a huge roll of marzipan and one night we were in early because it was cold and dark so we sculpted our own creations.  When I was a little girl my grandmother would get a marzipan pig for our holiday celebrations.  It was so cute but I did not like the marzipan at all.  I have since grown into liking a little bit of good marzipan, say in an almond croissant.  I wouldn't eat this marzipan that we were playing with and it was sooo sticky.  A fun activity in any case.

The home we had from Airbnb was a great little apartment.  It was awesome to see the Danish design in actuality.  Not fussy at all, functional, friendly.  Even though the house was lived in by two single students they let our family with little children stay and I wasn't too worried (after I removed an item or two to a safer place).  I was especially enamored by the hanging plants.

Tivoli is an amusement park in the city opened since the mid-1800s.  There was also a Christmas market where we found some ornaments for our garland next year.  The kids each got three tokens to use on rides of their choice.  I think they each rode two--one one token and one two token ride.  Eliza did not want me to be on the ride with her, she was so mad.  But then to ride the huge giraffe later she was very happy to have Collin.  Davy and Eddy rode a mini roller coaster and then steered water boats.  I liked all the holiday decorations.

We went in search of the ice cream we'd heard about, not really knowing what to expect.  I'm not a huge fan of soft serve, personally, but this was seriously amazing.  It was slightly almond flavored and so delish.  The place we found was in the distinctive Nyhavn area.  Pretty colored houses on a canal port, so cute.  I loved the trees up in the rigging of the ships the best.

We also tried the churro ice cream, which was good, but not quite as good as the Vaffelbageren cones (or on a warm waffle, the way I had it the first time.  Oh my goodness!).  Now if they had the Vaffelbageren ice cream with churros to dip in it that would marry the best of the best.  We got Vaffelbageren three times.  Even though it was freezing winter.  No regrets.