London!

Mom and I didn't have much time in London so we tried to cram as much in as humanly possible.  We arrived in London around 1:30 and took the Tube to our hotel-The Boltons.  It was a pretty adorable room.  We relaxed for a little while before heading off for our adventure.  We went to the British Museum and wandered around for a while before trying to find a restaurant to eat at and settling on some pizza.

The British Museum at night

Mom Bolton at The Boltons

Daughter Bolton at The Boltons

Saturday was another jam packed day.  Mom and I explored the Wellcome Collection a museum that one of my classmates used to work at.  Before she told me about it I had never heard of this museum.  It was amazing! Basically it holds the collection of a guy whose name is Mr. Wellcome (he has a first name I just can't recall it).  He tended to collect any object that was somehow involved with medicine.  For example he had Napoleon's toothbrush, 19th century glass eyes, a chastity belt, a birthing chair, etc.).  I was blown away, I plan on going back for the upcoming exhibit on Death. Next we headed to the V&A.  Stopped by the horribly crowded cafe for a delicious lunch before I FINALLY got to see the 16th century collection.  The last two times I have visited the V&A this section has been closed off.  I got to see the death mask of Henry VII, something I have always read about.  Since it was right next to the V&A we visited the Natural History Museum.  I love taxidermy and weird things in jars so it was quite interesting, albeit outdated.  Mom and I relaxed our sore feet back at the hotel for a short while before heading out to a delicious vegan restaurant 15 minutes from our hotel. 

"Obesity" from the Wellcome Collection

Napoleon's toothbrush

Glass eyes

Henry VII

MANATEE!!!!

Tasmanian Tiger

Mom and her orcas

The dress Queen Victoria wore when she found out she was Queen

Our last day in London was my favourite.  I'm a wee bit obsessed with Queen Victoria and mom and I were able to visit Kensington Palace.  It was fantastic! To walk into the exhibit you have to walk up the stairs that Queen Victoria describes using on a daily basis (but until she was queen it was always with someone  holding her hand)  Throughout the exhibit we got to see everyday pieces belonging to the Queen and her family including the gown she was wearing when she found out she was now Queen of England, her wedding dress, personal clothing items of the children, paintings, etc.).  We also got to see an exhibit on Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebration as well as the Royal Apartments used by Queen Anne and a few of the Georges. After we explored a very crowded Camden Town and shared ice cream made with liquid nitrogen, very delicious!  For our last night together we headed to a restaurant in the north end called Le Mercury.  Delicious (and quite cheap).

Her wedding dress

Children's clothes

Jubilee items

Liquid nitrogen ice cream

On Monday I had to take my mom to the airport and sadly send her back to Canada, where she gets to snuggle cats all day.


After I had to say goodbye to the mother I met up with my friend Hilary who I know from high school and university.  She has been living in London for the past year so we went out for lunch and wandered around the non-touristy areas of the the city before I had to board my train back to Norwich.