Happy Birthday Susan Fisher, best mom ever! So sorry I am not with you on your special day, but don’t worry Katie and I will have some cake and sing you happy birthday so loud that you will be able to hear us from Edinburgh, Scotland!!
Currently I am sitting on the East Coast train that is traveling from Kings Cross Station in London all the way to Edinburgh, Scotland. I can’t wait to get there in about 3 hours. Total our trip is going to take a good 4.5 hours. So far I have taken a nap, bought some coffee, and now typing this lovely post.
Now lets travel back to yesterday…
Katie and I did not have a repeat day of Wednesday, we actually got up at our normal work day time so we could maximize our time. Once ready, we left out of the house saying good bye to the rest of the Samford students traveling home, and headed towards Paul, the French Bakery. We each got a nutella donut and I got a latte. Perfect way to start a beautiful day in London!!
Then we set out to find the University of London which is spread out through several blocks near Holborn, Russell Square, and Euston tube stops. Why you ask? Well my good friend Jenn had asked me to get her a t-shirt from the main book store. Way back when I January 2010, a group from my pharmacy school had traveled over here for a few weeks to observer health care, in those weeks we had gone to the UL School of Pharmacy and many people had gotten t-shirts. However, the students who went this year had come back with different style shirt and Jenn asked if I could get her one. So Katie and I vaguely remembered how to get there and set out. We first headed to the pharmacy school to see what t-shirts they had and to ask where a book store would be so we could buy some t-shirts. The man at the front desk was very amused that two US female pharmacy students had randomly walked in the door and of all things wanted to buy t-shirts. We made quite the scene (as usual) and it was pretty funny. Well we checked out the shirts and didn’t really want any of them, so they gave us bad directions to the main student union called ULU.
It took us awhile along with a few times of stopping people to ask for directions, but we made it to the ULU. There I bought Jenn a shirt as promised, myself one, and one from my brother. I didn’t know what colors to get so Jenn and Phillip, if you are reading this you have the choice from Memphis Blue (or as Jenn would say Kentucky blue…sick nasty) or baby blue (like USJ blue for my Jackson readers…go Bruins!!!). Whoever messages me on email first gets the choice!!
After our purchases Katie and I walked to the tube station to find that it was temporarily closed due to much people. Sketchy right? We thought so. Actually on the 30th there was a city wide strike among several professions from teachers, people who answer 911 calls, up to passport control people. I think that had something to do with it. The demonstrations didn’t affect Katie and I, but we purposely stayed away from the areas of town that would be involved. So after wandering around awhile trying to figure out what to do next, we caught a bus and road it across town to Hyde Park/Kennsington Gardens so we could go eat at the Orangery.
The Orangery is located right beside Kennsington Palace where Princess Di used to live (oh and happy birthday to her too, she shares it with my momma!) and this will be where Will and Kate will live once they finish renovating it. The Orangery is known for having tea, especially hi-tea with the whole set up. I ordered the original tea and it was a-mazing! Look at my pictures to see!!
After lunch Katie and I went separate ways because I was going to the Mumford and Sons concert on the completely opposite side of the park with Emma. It took me about to 30 minutes to cross the park, but it was such a beautiful day I really didn’t mind and if you remember I LOVE parks!!! Well we walked in the concert area around 2:30 because the gates opened at 2pm and then the first act would start at 4pm. Strategically Emma and I picked a great spot that put us smack dap in the center of the stage, but a little further back but where we could lean on a rail that separate two sections of the crowd. It was a great spot!! While waiting for the music to begin, we chatted with the people around us, especially this brother and sister who love Mumford too! They were real nice and great people to stand by all night!
Right as the first act was beginning it began to rain, but we just went with it, pulled out our umbrellas and jammed to the music. Ok jammed is a little extreme considering we had never heard of this kid, Owen something from Canada. However we did love yelling for sweet Owen while he played…ok I enjoyed yelling out his name. I just like the name Owen and it made me laugh. We would also say poor Owen since he had to play in the rain. Right after Owen finished up his short set it stopped raining, PTL! Next on the set list was the Vaccines who were real fun to listen to. I had heard of them but was not real familiar with their music, but I enjoyed it! Next was one of the best musical surprises of the night, Bayroot. I had never heard of them, but now I am a big fan! I think they are American because their accents didn’t sound foreign but who knows. They played the accordion, tuba, trumpets, guitars, piano, and sang. They were awesome!!!
Now came the best part of the night… MUMFORD AND SONS!!! I was ecstatic. I have been waiting for this moment since back in January when I found out they were playing here and hoping it would work out for me to see them, AND IT DID!!! They were so good! They played a mix of their current album that is out and new stuff. I can’t wait for them to release their new album because it is going to lovely! Brilliant! Smashing!!! If you do not know who this band is, you MUST get some of their music TODAY. The lyrics are fabulous and with a mix of beautiful tunes!!! Me gusta mucho!
After Mumford, the main act hit the stage, Arcade Fire from Canada. I only knew one or two of their songs so it was just ok. The crowd was flipping out though which was fun to experience. After a few songs Emma and I were tired of standing since it was now after 9 and we were both hungry, so we decided to peace. Not our wises decision because we had to wiggle our way through thousands of people and I thought we would never make it…but finally we did! We then slowly meandered to the tube station and headed home. I needed to get back so I could pack for Scotland since we were leaving early this morning. I ended up staying up till 1:45 and then had to get up at 5:30…to say the least I am a bit tired, but it was so worth it!!! Well sorry this is super long, but I didn’t want to leave anything out and it was your choice to read it. Well happy it’s my mum’s birthday. Cheers yall!
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