Day Ten: Getting a Late Start

By now, you feel like you should sleep in for the first time in ten days (even though you've accidentally done it once before, two countries ago); doing so will make you the last of the hotel's breakfast customers. You will have literally plated your food and then they are cleaning up the buffet. If that isn't a sign that your trip is almost over; going back upstairs to watch TV definitely will be. You'll even say out loud, "Should we start packing now?" And you won't be kidding. Your husband will say, "Nah, we still have a couple of days." That's when you decide it's time to go outside.

At least you know about where your headed if you just want to get out and stroll around before your next scheduled event. Trafalgar Square is one of the best places to go if you have amassed some coins and want to see street performers.

"You have been looking for a sign...you have found it!"

Find the guy who is chalking out all the flags of the world, and place a coin on your country and every country you have either visited, set foot in, and/or had your passport stamped in (during this trip) as homage and respect.

After such a fantastic day, yesterday, James wants everyone to know he is feeling thumbs up:

Thumb's Up!

Travel Challenge: Once you've gotten the hang of perspective photography, try to see how many more of these types of photos you can create. Have fun with it!

Now, make your way to Her Majesty's Theatre for your next appointment. Travel Tip: If you haven't planned on seeing a musical while your in London, you might feel you're missing out. London is a haven for theatrical performances rivaling Time Square in New York. Go for a play or see a musical. Our family enjoys the theatre so we were never concerned about taking three children to see a musical. We chose Phantom of the Opera being shown in Her Majesty's Theatre because this is the original location Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera was first introduced in 1986. Travel Note: Since the theater is 100% owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber's company now, odds are pretty good you will still be able to see this musical whenever you decide to travel here.

Her Majesty's Theatre, London, 2017

Madeline was eager to see this performance, as were James and I (who have both seen it before), but we were happy the boys were really into it as well.

Phantom of the Opera

I finally managed to get out to a theater and order some popcorn:

Me and Nolan sharing popcorn at Her Majesty's Theatre 2017

Travel Tip: For Phantom of the Opera consider getting tickets on the Grand Circle level to enhance your viewing pleasure. Also, carry a pound with you so you can use the binoculars (even if you don't need them from this particular level--they make the boys feel important).

Madeline and her binoculars with a view of the ceiling

Travel Note: If the ushers catch you taking photographs, they will come and yell at you. We did not get yelled at, and we didn't realize you couldn't photograph in the facility, so we have a couple of pics from before the show started. However, you can take food and drink to your seats. In fact, during intermission, there are ice cream concessions set up near the front of this balcony. So, photos are a no, but ice cream, sodas, and popcorn are a yes.

Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre 2017

Travel Tip: Choose from a variety of showings but consider the 2:30pm time; Phantom of the Opera is two-and-a-half hours long. You go in when it's light out and come out into the dark and your children say, "Is it time for lunch?" And you remember, you ate breakfast late and bypassed lunch altogether. So, you go looking for a restaurant.

Nolan is telling me a story at dinner in London 2017

Enjoy the conversations you've been able to have with your children about their experiences on their vacation so far. There's no WiFi most of the time, there's no electronics getting in the way; all anyone has to do is talk to each other.

Head to the Underground so you can finally make it out to Abbey Road like you planned to do all along:

On your way there, get a picture of the ad on the bus you've been trying to get since you saw it the first time:

"Eating doesn't kill you, sofas do."

Travel Tip: From Piccadilly Circus you will need to take two tubes to get to Abbey Road. The tube is challenging to navigate (more challenging than both France and Belgium), be patient, look around for an Underground employee and ask for help.

James, Madeline, Patty on the Tube in England 2017

Get to Abbey Road and realize you wish you had done this in the day time; there are few tourists to help you snap that ideal picture. Call a relative back at home from this point (splurge on your cell phone bill, it's the only call off of WiFi you're going to make). Abbey Road has a live webcam that captures you going across the street. Your relative back in the states can watch you and post your image onto Facebook for you. However, since it's night time, your likeness cannot really be made out so well. Be happy there is one couple there doing the same thing as you and make nice with them. They will take your picture going across Abbey Road. Travel Note: Abbey Road is a very busy road, especially in the evening. There is not much time to stop and take pictures and be all cute about it. This means that you may not get the clearest pictures, but you are tired, your teenager is getting embarrassed walking back and forth, and you'll take whatever you get at this point. Return the favor and then head back to the Underground, you need to get more rest, you have a big final tourist day tomorrow.

Right to Left: Fischer, James, Nolan, Madeline, Patty, Abbey Road 2017