Travel, life and other things

I went to Europe last week. I started out in London. I got to see more sights since I landed on the weekend. I visited Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussaud's, Dickens Museum, University of London's Regent Street, Carnaby Street (lots of shopping), Planetarium, Harrod's (the first place my favorite Crème De La Mer was sold!) Sherlock Holmes Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery. I spent most of the time in historic Royal London are, which is St. James's Palace, former official residence of Prince Charles, Kensington Palace (former home of Princess Diana). I really enjoyed London.

I stayed at the Royal Lancaster in London, near Nottingham Hill.

On Monday evening, I took a train into Milton Keynes, which is a large town in northern Buckinghamshire, about 45 miles northwest of London. We have a location at work nearby. I met up with my-coworker and went to some local shops and ate at a nice seafood restaurant called the Loch Fyne and had some wine. We had a blast! We stayed at a little bed and breakfast in Woburn.

On Tuesday, we headed back to London Heathrow airport for a trip to Ireland. When we arrived in Ireland, my luggage didn't make it with me. You know the stories about people backpacking in Europe? All I had was my passport, laptop and red MAC lipstick! I like my stuff and like to have it readily available. It never arrived the entire trip. I was so bummed. I lost 18 pounds, and everything that fit me was in that darn bag. Plus, Madison colored me a sweet book about us that I wanted!

So I had to get new stuff in Ireland, and I was bummed, because I got cool stuff at Harrod's in London. Anyway, Ireland was beautiful and we visited some cool pubs. The hotel was funky and very eclectic.

On Wednesday evening, we went to Regensburg, Germany. I enjoyed Germany more than I anticipated. I loved the atmosphere. We went to a great brew house, the shops were fun, and I visited the Cathedral that the Pope went to visit a couple of months back. It was beautiful.

On Friday, I went to Munich, Germany. It was Oktoberfest. The food was awesome. I flew back on Saturday morning and got back to Seattle on Saturday evening. My luggage didn't make it.

Dylan will take his driver's test this week. He goes to homecoming on Saturday. He was fitted for his tux today. I feel so old. He told me not to cry. I can't guarantee it.