By the time we arrived in London (having stopped briefly in Windsor enroute from the Lake District), my codependent relationship with my camera had evaporated. Maybe it was because I have been to London so many times before or that I was exhausted after three and a half weeks of photographing everything I saw. Regardless, there were not a lot of photos taken in London (and even fewer in Windsor, which is why I’ve skipped talking about it altogether) but that does not mean I did not have a wonderful and very busy time.
We were in London for four days and, though not as ambitious as on previous trips, still managed to fit a lot in. I bought lots of books, saw one of my best friends who is the process of moving to London for work, finally visited Westminster Abbey, explored the Tate Britain, browsed along Oxford Street, wandered through beautiful parks and neighbourhoods, and saw a fabulous musical.
But, let us be honest, the real highlight of my time in London was getting to meet Rachel. After three and a half years of online friendship, we finally got to met in person. I have only met a handful of bloggers in real life (the others being Carolyn, Simon, and Darlene) and every encounter has been wonderful. It is so strange but delightful to be able to sit down with a person for the first time but already know them so well. Rachel and I had a very chatty dinner and then she took me to one of her favourite bookshops on Charing Cross Road. It was a great evening but the downside of getting on so well with someone is realising that you have to go back home and probably won’t see them again for years! Still, it was the perfect way to end an already eventful and memorable trip.
What a gorgeous picture of you and Rachel! And I understand what you mean about meeting a blogger for the first time and yet feeling you know each other very well. I should add that when I meet more than one blogger at once though I go all silent and shy..
Thanks, Iris. I hope one day (maybe next year if I’m in the Netherlands) we’ll get to meet.
What a lovely way to close out your trip, Claire. The picture of you and Rachel is lovely, especially with you both framed in books.
Thanks, Penny. It was a wonderful end to the trip.
A wonderful end to your trip! Thank you again for sharing it with us, especially the lovely photos. I’d love to meet favorite bloggers like you – particularly for bookstore browsing.
I am always so jealous of the UK-based book bloggers who seem to be popping over and seeing one another all the time. I’m thrilled when I do get to meet someone but I can’t help but wishing more of our circle of book bloggers lived nearby!
All the more annoyed that I was stuck on a broken down bus in Oxford! But I’m glad you guys had a lovely time 🙂
You were missed. I think the fates just don’t want me to see you and Rachel at the same time. Maybe they’ll relent now that I’ve seen you both individually and we’ll be able to have a proper group get together next time I’m in the UK (whenever that may be).
I saw Rachel last week (hooray!), and she went on and on about how lovely it was to meet you. 😀 I’m glad you had a good time in London–it contains my absolute favorite place in the world (the South Bank of London), and every time I go there I buy approximately 1000 books. :p
Aww, that’s lovely to hear. This trip was actually the first visit where I spent any time on the South Bank and even then I wasn’t there long, just walking for a stretch along the river. It’s definitely an area I’ll need to explore more next time I’m there.
Aw lovely picture. Great when bloggers meet!
It is!
Oh Claire! What compliments! I am annoyed that you live so far away BUT I will be coming to stay. 🙂 Thank you for a wonderful evening and such a lovely parade of compliments – I am honoured to have been the highlight of London! 🙂
I am annoyed that YOU live so far away but am somewhat appeased that you’re at least planning to visit!