Tuesday morning, Katie and I got to the airport and went our separate ways--she had to book a different flight to London. After a very long layover in Munich, along with almost missing my flight because they decided to change the gate on me at the last minute, I made it to London City Airport. It's much smaller than Heathrow, and much easier to navigate. I was so thankful that there was no language barrier, because I couldn't figure out the overground subway system that connected up with the tube, London's subway system. A nice middle-aged man pointed me on my way and I was so happy! On the subway ride to the tube, we passed by the O2 arena where Brad would be playing Wednesday night. I fell in love!
A camel in the Munich airport outside the "Camel Smoking Zone."
Wednesday Katie and I woke up and began our tour of London. We were surprised how ingrained into our brains it is to look left while crossing the street. Thank God the British helped us out:
We first took the tube to the Westminster Abbey. Across the Thames River was the London eye:
And of course, the ever-popular Mr. Big Ben.
We wandered around the Abbey and got a couple good photo ops.
Of course, I had to get a sign of the Union Jack flying high.
Then, on our way to Buckingham Palace, we walked through St. James' Park. It was a perfect day, about 70 degrees F, and we found ourselves wishing we could have a picnic!
We saw several of these as we were walking, a sign for Princess Di's memorial walk.
Loving the Union Jack flags along the road. ♥
St. James Park, again.
Buckingham Palace and their gorgeous flowers.
I could definitely live here!
This is how we do it in London. :)
Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
From across the Thames.
London Tower.
Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge, again.
The pub where we ate lunch.
Pretty flowers were our scenery for our lunch! I had fish and chips.
The pub came complete with a noose over the bar.
What greeted us right inside the O2.
Drinks & tickets at TGI Friday's.
Another shot. Amazing!
Darius Rucker was Brad's opening act. So good!
No need to zoom in.
Yep--we were this close!
Katie and me.
Belting it out!
Mud on the Tires.
Welcome to the Future.
No, this is not zoomed in at all. Wow!!
We got some amazing views from behind too.
Celebrity.
This is Country Music.
"If there's anyone who still has pride in the memory of those that died defending your red, white and blue... This is country music, and we do."
Remembering Norway's fallen.
I swear he had just looked at me and my camera, and then back down at his guitar.
Probably my favorite shot from the night.♥
After lunch, we went to see a Broadway musical, Wicked. It blew me out of the water! I had never seen a Broadway show before and I was in love.
Right after the show, we jumped on the tube and went to the O2. Isn't it gorgeous!?
We had plenty of time before the show started, so we stopped into TGI Friday's and got drinks. We decided to each get a shot and a drink (you only live once!), so Katie decided on shots of Southern Comfort and lime, and we each got drinks. Unfortunately, the bartender thought we wanted Southern Comfort and lime drinks, so we ended up with no shots and two drinks each. Ha!
As I've said before, and you can see from the shots of Darius Rucker, we were CLOSE! When we went to take our seats, I knew we were in the center and 5th row, but I didn't know exactly where we'd be sitting. We ended up right next to the catwalk--as in, if either Darius or Brad had reached down, I would have been able to touch them. *sigh*
Brad put on an amazing show, as always.
No, this is not zoomed in at all. Wow!!
In the middle of "I'm Still a Guy," Brad started talking in a British accent. I caught the last bit of it, plus the last verse of the song. At the end of the song, as he was walking back down the catwalk, he tossed his guitar pick to me. :D
Welcome to the Future.
Water.
It's never a Brad Paisley concert without "Alcohol."
Brad and Darius singing "Alcohol."
For the last couple songs, Brad brought out Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood to accompany him. Too cool!
The concert was just overwhelmingly amazing. Afterward, we took a boat ride down the Thames that was supposed to have awesome views of London. It didn't disappoint!
I made it home around 8 pm, exhausted but completely relaxed. My London getaway was exactly the therapy I needed. I will be going back soon!!
Walking down to the pier.
The O2 at night.
Windswept hair, ha. Can it get any better than this?
Tower Bridge by night.
London Bridge!
Labeled so everyone knows.
London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster.
Big Ben and Westminster at night, with a bridge slightly in the way.
Our night was complete, and completely amazing. I was blown away by London. The next morning, I had to get up at 5:45 to catch the tube to the airport again. I got one quick shot of the tube stop nearest our hotel, Grand Portland Street.
I made it home around 8 pm, exhausted but completely relaxed. My London getaway was exactly the therapy I needed. I will be going back soon!!
London looks like so much fun! Glad you had fun at Brad's concert. Loooooove him! And Darius Rucker!
ReplyDelete