A couple of Sundays ago, I took my first trip out of the house all year to see Ronan Keating and a symphony orchestra live in London... only to get pick-pocketed minutes after we got off the bus in Victoria.
I swear, I either have the worst luck, or I did something terrible in a former life. Something always goes wrong when I travel to concerts.
It's been going around and around in my head since it happened- mostly what I should've done differently- so I'm hoping writing about it and getting my thoughts out will help me make sense of it, and let it go. Writing has always helped me clear my head, but feel free to roll your eyes if you think I'm overreacting.
So... just after arriving in London on Mother's Day, we went into Victoria station to grab some food before heading to the Royal Albert Hall for the concert we'd travelled to see. Seconds after we went inside, we were walking slowly up half a dozen stairs (slowed down by Arthritis), when someone pressed up close behind me. I thought they were trying to hurry us up, so I tried to ignore them instead of letting them intimidate me (or elbowing them in the face), but something about it felt off, so I thought to check my bag as soon as I was off the stairs- only to find my backpack was unzipped, and my purse had gone. They'd seen us moving slowly, and they'd marked us as easy targets.
It was all over in a matter of seconds, and happened so fast, I didn't even get a look at them as they hurried away. My sister got a glimpse, but I was too busy checking my bag.
Luckily, they only took my purse and I didn't even have any cash on me. My phone was in my hand, and they didn't take my camera or concert tickets which had my personal details on them, so it could've been worse. They could've taken my whole bag, and I could've had my NI card on me, but didn't. Thanks to my sister, I was able to cancel my bank card in minutes before they even got a chance to use it, so my only real loss was my lovely Vendula London flower shop purse. (I'm gutted- it isn't made any more).
I'm mostly just annoyed at myself for being stupid enough to take a backpack to London, because I never, ever do for this very reason. I've always taken a cross-body I can keep a hand on, but this time, I was careless as I wanted to ease the strain on my neck and shoulder, which were hurting like hell. I even contemplated the risk before I left home, so I feel like such an idiot.
With all the stabbings in London lately, I'm just grateful I wasn't hurt- they didn't so much as touch me- and I wasn't alone so I didn't end up stranded without any money or a bus ticket home. All I could do was Paypal my sister money for things, so it left me feeling pretty vulnerable. I think it's time to set up some kind of payment on my phone (which the policeman also recommended), and go back to putting £20 in my shoe when I travel, so I'm not so helpless if I lose my wallet again. It was a wake up call.
I wasn't the only one it happened to, either; when we were talking to the police, there were two other girls who had just been targeted in another station, probably by the same men. I felt worse for them, because they were tourists, and it's a shitty thing to happen miles from home. The police and the security guard were all really kind and sympathetic, though, which made a big difference. They took it seriously, and didn't lay any blame on our actions, or make us feel like we were wasting their time. They just shared some insights about pick-pocketers and suggested some tips- like wearing a cross-body bag beneath a jacket or cardi so it's harder for thieves to cut a bag right from your body, and to set up Apple Pay on your phone to have money to fall back on.
I didn't really care about finding my purse- that was already long gone, but we got the police involved to hopefully stop it from happening to other people. I hope they were able to find them, but if not, I hope karma comes back to bite them where it hurts. I'd wish them a life time of chronic pain, but that seems a little bit mean. Maybe they were professional pick-pocketers, or maybe they were just desperate. Who knows?
I didn't let two assholes ruin my night, though, and tried not to let it phase me. I didn't panic, and only realised it affected me at all when the nerves in my legs started twitching when I sat down afterwards. (It's only now it's over that it's bothering me a little bit, and creeping in to my head at random times). We still had a great night, and miraculously, we had the same bus driver on the way home to Oxford, who remembered us, and didn't make me pay for another ticket home, so... silver linings.
If you take anything from this story, I hope it makes you think about your safety when you travel and you learn from my mistakes. Don't take a backpack to London or any other big city; keep your bag where you can see it; don't keep all your money in one place when you travel; and if someone invades your space, don't just ignore it to be the bigger person. It might not be safe to confront them, but at least turn to acknowledge you know they're there to discourage them, and try to move away from them if you can.
A couple of Saturdays ago, I took a little trip to London with my sister to see Fall Out Boy perform live for the third time, and I had such an amazing time, I'm still buzzing almost two weeks later. I wish I could rewind the clock and do it all over again.
Fall Out Boy have been one of my favourite bands since about 2005, and they're definitely one of the best bands I've ever seen live, so when I heard they were touring again, I just had to get tickets. Typically, when I could finally afford to buy them, they'd all sold out, so I went against everything I believe in, and bought some off a resale website for more than double the price. The hiked up price was still worth it to me, though, because as you know, I'm a bit of a concert addict and the experience always means more to me than the money, plus I hadn't done anything remotely fun since last August. In the last eight months, I'd only left the house for medical appointments and a handful of short shopping trips, and after the year I'd had, I knew a night away enjoying one of my favourite pastimes, and seeing one of my favourite bands live would do me some good. Of course, I was absolutely right.
We arrived in cold, rainy Marylebone around midday, and as we had a little time to kill before we could check in to our hotel, we headed over to Covent Garden, but only did a quick lap of the piazza because it was hellishly busy and Marie was struggling to drag the suitcase over the cobble stones. Covent Garden ain't made for wheelie suitcases, that's for sure. We treated ourselves to some Ben's Cookies (best cookies ever!), and then grabbed another cab to the London Eye, and took a river cruise up to our hotel at the O2.
Whenever my sisters and I go to a gig or an exhibition at the O2, we always take the ferry from The London Eye. I personally think it's the best way to travel there when you're not in a rush because it's more enjoyable than being crammed on the tube like sardines, and cheaper than a cab, and you get to do some sight-seeing along the way. It takes you from Westminster up to Greenwich, so you get to pass landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster, The London Eye, Tower Bridge, The Shard, The Walkie Talkie, Canary Wharf, and so much more, while enjoying being out on the water. It takes about 35 minutes to the North Greenwich Pier, and if you pay by Oyster Card or Contactless, it will only set you back £7.50 each way- which is £2.40 cheaper than purchasing an adult ticket. We used Contactless, and just had to scan our debit cards as we got on and off of the ferry, and it was soooo easy and convenient.
It was cold and wet, but we sat outside on deck for most of the journey because we're hardcore like that, enjoying the incredible views from The Thames. We eventually retreated inside to the warmth, when we lost the feeling in our fingers, and then got off at the North Greenwich Pier.
The mannequins raising awareness of male suicide.
Marie had booked us a room at the Intercontinental Hotel which is literally right beside the O2, thinking it would be less hassle than getting a hotel across the city, and having to travel across London after the gig. It would have been less hassle- if a member of the pier staff we asked for directions hadn't given us the wrong route to get to the hotel. The hotel was surrounded by tall metal fencing all along the riverside footpath, so we had to walk a good mile or two from the ferry around its perimeter before we reached an opening. With my body already screaming at me, and my sister towing our luggage (thanks, human pack-horse), we were both exhausted by the time we got to the lobby. If we'd taken the other route, the right route, around the O2, we would have reached the hotel in minutes... They could really do with some signage, or installing some gates in their fence line.
Fortunately, it was all forgotten when we saw how beautiful the hotel was, went to check in, and were given a free upgrade to a deluxe twin room by the lovely Italian lady checking us in. I don't think that's ever happened to me in my life! We were given a room on the tenth floor, and it was absolutely beautiful. It had two big twin beds with the most comfortable mattresses, massive pillows, and good quality bedding, and a big bathroom with a marble bath tub, a walk-in monsoon shower, fancy Anne Semonin beauty products, and even speakers over the sink so you could listen to the TV in the bathroom. There were tea and coffee facilities (including an Espresso maker), along with a mini bar, and a big smart TV. We also got free Wifi, and had a floor to ceiling window with a panoramic view of the O2 to the left, and the Thames and London skyline to the right. Sure, it was a bit industrial in the middle, but it was a pretty great view and we could see for miles. I seemed to notice something different every time I looked out, and felt really relaxed watching the waves on the river lapping on to the riverbanks. We normally just book a Premier Inn, so that room was such a treat. I didn't have the energy to take many photos of the hotel room, but it was absolutely gorgeous, and the hotel was stunning. It was so fancy, it even had a ballroom! I only wish we'd found time to check out the rooftop bar, and make use of its pool and spa. We're planning to stay at the hotel next time we see a show at the O2, so we'll definitely be checking them out next time!
We spent the next few hours resting so that I could recover before the gig, watching The Big Bang Theory, and eating delicious cookies (and in Marie's case, napping) from our comfy beds.
Our plan was to go grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in the O2 before the gig, so we started getting ready late afternoon, and headed over to the arena just before half six. Our hotel had a covered walkway to the arena, which conveniently stayed open 'til 1am, so we made good use of it. When we got outside, there were already two massive queues forming, so we joined the back of one and waited the ten minutes for the doors to open. There was a lot of work being done on the arena, so it wasn't until we got through security (which, reassuringly, is now airport-style) and had our tickets scanned (thank God they worked!!) that we realised the queue had led us straight in to the arena, and not the main entrance to the O2 complex like we'd thought. I still don't know how I didn't realise it- I've been there half a dozen times before, and it looked nothing like the main entrance! #Dumbass. Once tickets are scanned there's no readmittance, so we couldn't leave the arena before the gig, and our dinner plans had to go out the window. We hadn't wanted to watch the support acts, so we were stuck in the arena far earlier than we wanted to be, which was kinda annoying, but we were mostly just annoyed at ourselves for the mistake. We ended up sharing some fries from one of the arena's fast food stands to tide us over, and then headed in to the arena because I needed to sit down.
I'd booked seats right at the front of one of the nearest tiers to the stage (block 101, row H- A-G was replaced by the disabled seating block), and they turned out to be some of the best seats in the house. (Apart from front row, or y'know, Andy Hurley's lap). They were totally worth the money they'd cost me. We had an amazing view of the stage, and it was great to see the show a little less side-on than the last few gigs we'd been to. The only drawback was we had to walk down like a hundred stone steps to get to them, and getting to them without a hand rail was not a fun experience; they were so steep, I was terrified I was going to fall. I had the same problem when I saw Linkin Park there a couple of years ago. I must have looked like a right knob shuffling down them a step at a time. I really wish the O2 would install hand rails, or have stairs leading up from the floor for easier access.
We made it in to our seats during the first support act's set, who were an American funk-pop duo called MAX. I'd never heard of them before, and it's not the kind of music I'd usually listen to, but they were good fun, and we both enjoyed their set. The other support act was an American group called Against the Current, who had a similar sound to Paramore, and I really enjoyed their music, too. It was surprising as I rarely have much regard for support acts, but I'm glad we fucked up and got to hear them.
Fall Out Boy exploded on to the stage at 9pm with a killer performance of The Phoenix, and they just kept on getting better and better as the night went on. They were phenomenal. They performed crowd-pleasing classics like Sugar, We're Goin Down, Dance, Dance, I Don't Care, Grand Theft Autumn (Where Is Your Boy), and Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, awesome old album tunes like Thriller, Uma Thurman, Irresistible, and Centuries, hits like My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up), Save Rock 'n' Roll, and The Phoenix, and heaps of new songs from their newest album, Mania, including Wilson (Expensive Mistakes), Stay Frosty Royal Milky Tea, Church, Hold Me Tight Or Don't, and The Last of the Real Ones. Every single song was amazing; I loved every single one. It was all so good I don't think I could even pick favourites. I really enjoyed hearing Wilson (Expensive Mistakes), my current favourite tune, and all the new tracks live for the first time, and of course, all the classics. I was disappointed not to hear A Little Less Sixteen Candles and Young Volcanoes, though. Their vocals were some of the best I've ever heard, and they played their instruments flawlessly- especially Andy, whose drumming was incredible. I couldn't stop watching him impressively beating the shit out of that drum kit. That little tattooed bearded man sure has stamina. How does he do it? My arms would be dead after one song!
It wasn't just the music that impressed me, the set was also spectacular. They had a runway stage running down the middle of the arena from the main stage, and two raised platforms at the back where they performed several songs halfway through the show. There was smoke, fire, and fireworks keeping time with the music, and explosions of confetti and stringy stuff (yes, that's the proper technical term) being released which looked incredible. The fireworks lining the runway from time to time looked especially awesome. You could tell they'd sunk a lot of money in to the show, and had a bigger budget to play with them ever before.
It was a really fun experience, with the crowd going mental for every song, and everybody singing along to everything. It was the best FOB gig I've seen to date, and without a doubt, one of the best gigs I've ever been to. The only downside was, it was over waaay too soon, as concerts always are, and I didn't want it to end. I would've happily gone and seen that show again and again, but sadly, they only played a few UK dates, and it was the last one before they moved on to Europe. If you're a FOB fan and they're bringing the tour to your country, go and see them! I promise you won't regret it.
I didn't take many photos of the gig and the ones that came out are shit, but I videoed most of it to look back on, so here are a few of the best ones, if you'd like to see them.
You can find all of the videos I took over on my personal Youtube account, which I mostly use to upload any videos I take at the concerts I go to so I can look back on them from time to time. Yes. I already know I'm a total fan girl, and I'm okay with that.
After the gig was over, we headed out to see if any of the restaurants were still open in the O2. Luckily, most of them were, so we sat down for a very late dinner at Frankie & Benny's. (More for a sister catch-up than out of hunger. The sister was only home from Germany for Easter). It was odd eating at a busy restaurant after eleven at night. I'm so used to living in the country where everything but the pubs and bars are shut by then. I tucked in to cheese and chives potato skins, and a massive portion of carbonara (with added chicken), kindly made with penne for me, instead of spaghetti. It was absolutely delicious, but there was so much of it, I couldn't eat it all. We also treated ourselves to cocktails. Marie got a Benny on the Beach, and I went for a Woo Woo. It was delicious. I'm not actually supposed to drink on my medication, but I figured one wouldn't hurt. It's been years since I last had a drink. Sorry I haven't got photos of the meal to share; it was too dark and shadowy in the restaurant for decent photos.
Once we'd finished our meal, we made our way back to our hotel. I was in so much pain by then, I dosed myself up, stuck a trail of heat patches up my spine, and crashed in my comfy bed. It was a few hours before sleep came.
In the morning, I awoke before Marie, and lay there awake for a while in the dark realising I had numbness in three of my fingers- I must have pinched a nerve, as the feeling didn't return for over a week. The black out curtains did their job so well I didn't realise how late in the morning it was until I checked my phone some time later, and saw it was ten past ten. It felt like six in the morning! We'd originally aimed to be up and out before half eight, to go grab some breakfast, and visit The London Aquarium before going home for our family Easter meal, but I guess we'd needed the sleep.
We didn't end up leaving our hotel until our checkout time of midday, and went in search for an open shop at the O2 for drinks and pastries (FYI, there's a newsagents in the O2, and a Tesco Express out the front), before catching the ferry.
It was another dismal grey day, but it was dry and a little warmer than the day before, so we sat outside on deck again, marvelling at the views of the landmarks, and a random boat with a giant octopus wrapped around it as we passed by. Sadly, it wasn't a real giant octopus; that would have been a pretty awesome sight to see.
I've been to London and seen the sights at least fifteen times, but I never get tired of seeing it all again. There's something so magical and enchanting about it, and living in a small country town, I find the fast-pace of the city exciting. It was weird seeing Big Ben surrounded by scaffolding, though; Westminster just didn't look the same without the iconic clock tower standing out in the skyline.
At the London Eye, we got off the boat and back on to dry land, and wandered down to the London Aquarium to see if we could pay it a visit. The bank of the Thames was swarming with people, and I mean swarming- there was hardly room to breathe; it was hellish. When we reached the aquarium, it was so busy the queues were out the door, and we discovered you have to book a time slot to go inside, so that was another plan that quickly went out the window. (Last time we visited, which must have been over a decade ago, you could just queue and go in, so I don't know when that changed). It was disappointing but I was too exhausted to care. I'm sure we'll fit in a visit next time we're in London to make up for it.
We decided to hail a cab to Oxford Street to see if Selfridges was open instead, but once we got there, we discovered it was shut for Easter Sunday- some shops were, some weren't. Nothing was working out for us that weekend! After an impromptu detour past Buckingham Palace so Marie could see it for the first time, we headed to the train station to travel home. By then it was about 3pm. Typically, after we'd bought our tickets, the on-time train to Oxford suddenly disappeared from the boards, and the next train home wasn't until two hours later. After a bit of stressing and panicking, we decided to get a train to Reading, which had a million stops, and took FOREVER, changing at Didcot, and finally arriving at Oxford after 5pm where our Dad picked us up because the bus causes me too much pain. We arrived home around 6pm, and sat down for our annual family Easter Sunday meal- a turkey roast and all the trimmings- minutes after we got in the door. I held on until dessert, and then finally crawled in to my bed in agony and exhaustion, and have stayed there recovering ever since.
The aftermath has been painful, but my little London trip to see Fall Out Boy with my sister was more than worth it. I'd do it all again in a heart beat, and I'm certain I will. I already can't wait for the next one. I just hope it's not too far on the horizon. I'm having concert withdrawals already!
What's the best gig you've ever been to, or the best band you've seen live?
How's your week going so far? Mine's been quiet and uneventful. I've had a nasty cold for the last week, so I've been hibernating, and working on some Christmas craft projects whenever I've felt up to it. I've also been playing a lot of Fall Out Boy tunes, remembering how great they were live a couple of weeks ago.
Yes, I admit it; I'm a total fan-girl!
I went to see them live at Wembley Arena with my sister, Marie, on the 12th, and it was the most fun I've had in ages. I don't think I've enjoyed myself that much since I went to see Linkin Park live last November.
My sister drove the hour and a half in to London for the first time, which went really well until we got grid-locked in traffic in a really rough neighbourhood just a couple of miles from the arena. It was getting dark and we didn't know the area, so being great big wimps, we were on edge the entire time. (What can I say? We're used to small-town life). The wailing sirens and police riot vans in the street just ahead didn't exactly help to reassure us! It took us almost an hour to inch along a mile of road and get moving again, but we eventually made it in to the arena in one piece in time to catch a few songs from the first support act.
The support acts weren't great. The first was an American duo called Matt and Kim, who couldn't even keep the beat in time with the music. The second was Professor Green, who sounded like Eminem on helium, and danced like someone's Dad trying to do the Hokey Cokey at a wedding. Not my thing! Fall Out Boy, on the other hand were fucking incredible!
The show was amazing, easily one of the best I've ever seen- and I've been to a lot of gigs over the years. It was even better than the first time I saw them live last year! They were on fire!
The set list was fantastic. They belted out so many great tunes; old favourites like Sugar, We're Goin' Down, Dance, Dance, A Little Less Sixteen Candles, and I Don't Care; some awesome old album songs like Thriller and Hum Hallelujah (which I bloody loved- it's one of my faves); and loads of newer material, like Young Volcanoes, Alone Together, and most of the songs from American Beauty / American Psycho. God, it was amazing!
I still can't decide on which songs I enjoyed best because I enjoyed every last one of them, but I was ridiculously excited to hear Hum Hallelujah, Fourth of July, Uma Thurman, and The Kids Aren't Alright live for the first time. The latter three are three of my favourites from American Beauty/ American Psycho, and they all sounded phenomenal live. I loved hearing all the old classics again, too, especially Dance, Dance, Sugar, We're Goin' Down, and A Little Less Sixteen Candles which made me feel about twenty again. Those songs never get old!
What I love about Fall out Boy is that they can actually sing and play their instruments. I personally think they're even better live than they are on their albums, and you can't say that about a lot of bands these days. They also know how to put on a good show, without needing to build a ridiculously OTT, elaborate set to impress the crowds. There was fog, fire, and fireworks this time, but it was still very much about the music.
We both spent most of the show transfixed by Andy Hurley's drumming skills. He was beating the shit out of those drums throughout the show, and didn't miss a beat. Fuck me, that little tattooed bearded man has stamina. If you watch the next video from 2:50, you'll see what I mean!
I don't know what it is about drummers, but whenever I'm at a gig, I can't stop watching them play.
The magical levitating Wentz!
We had a great view from our seats in one of the nearest tiers to the stage. It was side on but unrestricted, and I was even able to sit down for most of the show as there was the perfect-sized gap in front of me when everyone stood up to dance! I tried to stay on my feet but I was in so much pain I had to admit defeat after just two songs. It didn't spoil any of my fun, though; I didn't miss a moment of it, and I still had a blast watching the show from my seat. It was exactly what I needed to put the smile back on my face. It left me smiling for days.
Here are a few of the videos I took that night, if you're interested. Make sure to turn the volume down first because they're pretty loud! (It was so loud my hearing is only just getting back to normal 3 weeks later!) Also, apologies for the shaky footage, I have the shakiest hands ever.
I felt more like myself that night than I've felt in a really long time. I started to feel like the old me again as soon as I heard that first note of music, and felt the base pulsing through my veins. It awakened something in me, and helped me to remember the person I used to be. The girl who was never happier than when she was watching her favourite bands perform live with friends. The girl who sometimes queued all day to get as near to the stage as possible, and once travelled all the way up to Inverness (from Oxford) for a gig, just because she wanted to go; just because it made her happy. For a couple of hours, I was able to pretend I was still that strong, healthy, impulsive, fun, and slightly crazy girl who always found happiness in live music, even during those years when depression gave her no other reason to smile. Live music helped her through a lot, and it still helps me today.
I used to go to gigs all the time before I got ill four years ago, and chronic pain started spoiling my fun. (Or at least it tries to). I usually had at least a couple booked at any given time, and loved hopping on a train to go on another concert adventure. (My nearest arena is 80-100 miles away in any direction, so concerts always turn in to mini adventures). I always had a blast and made some amazing memories with friends that I wouldn't trade for anything.
Sometimes it amazes me to remember how I used to go gallivanting off to gigs all the time without suffering any pain or fatigue. I can barely remember what it feels like to spend an entire day out of bed having fun pain-free, with enough energy left over to go on for days. I'm just glad I made the most of it while I could, and allowed myself to live a little before everything changed.
These days, I can't make it to gigs often because I just can't cope with the amount of pain that travelling and being up and about all day inflicts on me, on a regular basis. It takes me a couple of weeks to recover from each one, so I have to be sensible, and put my health first. I genuinely miss having the freedom to go to all the shows I want to see, and it's the only thing I truly begrudge about my health conditions. I hate not being able to enjoy my favourite pastime like I used to. Although, now I can only manage one or two a year, I definitely appreciate them a lot more. I know I'll never be able to give them up entirely just because of a week or two of intense pain. If I did, I'd be losing a big part of who I am, and I'm not ready to say goodbye to that side of me just yet.
It's the one part of me I hope I'll always get to keep.
What was the last band you went to see live? Do you enjoy going to them, or is it not your thing?
On the weekend before last, I took a little day trip to London with my sister, Marie, for a late-birthday treat.
I'm not one for celebrating my birthdays with big parties or nights out, because it's just not my thing (introvert alert!), but I still like to do something fun to mark each one. My options were limited because of my health, but I got it in to my head that I wanted to go to London for the day regardless of the pain, and when I get an idea in my head, it's practically impossible to talk me out of it! So, we made plans for London! Warning! This post is very pic heavy and a big of a long 'un!
So, how does somebody with chronic pain manage a visit to the big smoke without collapsing in a heap on the city streets? Tour buses! Tour buses and cabs. A great combination that involves very little walking. Genius! Okay, it wasn't my first choice, but it was definitely my best chance of enjoying and surviving a day in the city. We took tour buses around the city, went out for lunch, and took a flying visit to Oxford Street.
We left home bright and early, and arrived in Paddington just after 10am. A perk of living just an hour and a half away! From Paddington, we grabbed a cab, and headed straight for Marble Arch to buy tickets for the tour bus.
We bought tickets with The Original Tour because we've been on their tours a few times, and have always enjoyed ourselves. The tickets are currently £30 for adults, and that gives you a full twenty-four hours to hop on and off their tour buses as much as you want, and even includes a free river cruise. We didn't go on it this time because it was more than I could manage, but we've taken advantage of it a few times and it's always really fun. It's a must for your first time sight-seeing in London.
With our tickets purchased, we stocked up on drinks, and a couple of minutes later we were sitting on an open top tour bus cruising around the city. It was a scorching hot day, easily 30 degrees, and London looked beautiful in the sunshine; there was barely a cloud in the sky. It was so tropical it felt like we were in a completely different country! I couldn't stop taking photos because everything looked so pretty,,, I may have gotten a little carried away and taken over six hundred...
The yellow tour took us around most of the major sites with a live guide. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, The London Eye, The Shard, St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square... pretty much all of the iconic landmarks London is famous for.
I've visited London many times before, but I never get tired of seeing it all again. I'd never seen The Shard or The Walkie Talkie up close before, though, as it's been five or six years since I last took a tour, and I was surprised by how tall they both are; I thought The Shard was much smaller. I love that London is beginning to get a modern sky line.
In Piccadilly Circus, we decided to get off the bus to go for a bite to eat, and stumbled upon Bubba Gump Shrimp Co right away. I'm not really a fan of seafood, but my sister loves the restaurant, so I played the nice sister card and agreed to eat there. Well, she was paying! I've been to Bubba Gump once before, in New York four years ago, and the one in Piccadilly is very similar. There were menus on ping-pong paddles, 'Run Forrest Run' and 'Stop Forrest Stop' license plates to alert the waiter if you needed service, and waiters quizzing you on Forrest Gump trivia. The sister got crab stuffed shrimp, and I had fried chicken with mash, corn on the cob, and gravy; it was delicious. There are only a few non-seafood options on the menu, but if you love seafood, you're really spoilt for choice. The service was really good, too.
After lunch, we popped in to M&M World, which was just a couple of buildings away. It was fun to look around, but it was insanely busy so we didn't stay long. The chocolate is ridiculously expensive there, but I couldn't resist buying a novelty box of red and black M&Ms in the shape of a red post box. It was £5.99 for 160g! I also came home with a couple of novelty golf balls for my Dad.
Once we'd escaped the chaos, we went to get on the blue tour, otherwise known as The Museum Tour. It was a new one for both of us. It took us past several of the museums like The Natural History and Victoria and Albert museums, and also through some of the wealthier areas of the city. We saw Kensington Palace, Harrods, The Ritz, The Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, and a bunch of other stuff. The route doesn't have a live guide, but it has recorded commentaries in several languages. We didn't bother with it; we just enjoyed the views and the sunshine. We finished the full route and got off again in Piccadilly, where we caught another cab to Oxford Street.
I was really worse for wear by this point, but I was desperate to visit the new Lush flagship store to check out their new make up before I went home. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. They've launched a bunch of new make up products, including various types of eye make up, blushers, and lippies. (I've forgotten the names of them all in Lush lingo). I was so excited to see all the new products because I used to be obsessed with the make up their old sister company, B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful sold, and some of Lush's are the same, just in different packaging. I spent most of my birthday money on six of the eye jewel eyeshadows (so expensive at £10 each), and two of the liquid eyeliners. Expect reviews really soon! I didn't browse around all three floors because I couldn't afford to buy much else, but it was amazing! The shop was huge, and there were so many awesome looking products, although it was difficult to move about because it was so busy. I wish I could've afforded more, but I'll definitely be returning once I've saved up enough for a good spree.
By the time I got out of Lush, I was in a bad way. I had sciatica raging in my left leg from hip to toe, and my back was burning up to my neck. I was also struggling with the heat- I never cope well in it- and started feeling really unwell. The sis still wanted to quickly pop to Selfridges, though, so I tried to keep plodding on. We stopped for frozen yoghurt in the food hall, first, so I had a little rest, took some painkillers, and tried to cool myself down with Magicool. It didn't really work, but the yoghurt eventually helped a bit. I had one with fresh strawberries and raspberries and it was so good!
After the pit stop, I could barely move my body, and was limping around the place like a pathetic mess, trying not to cry. God knows what everyone thought of me- especially since my make up had slid off my face, and my sis didn't think to tell me I had panda eyes until we were on the train home! Err, cheers, sis! I sure felt like an idiot. I bought a few Japanese and Irish sweet treats from the food hall for myself and the family, and once the sis got what she wanted in the beauty department, we headed for the train station.
I did begin to feel a little better on the train home, but in hind sight, I probably should've called it quits about six hours earlier... but then I wouldn't have done much! I still think my fun day out was worth the extra pain, though, and it was better than sitting around at home doing nothing and still being in pain, anyway! I can't do these big trips often, but sometimes I need to push myself beyond my limits to have a little fun. I will always be up for a day out in London! It's one of my favourite places in the world! I want to go back at Christmas time and do the tour when all the lights are up, so that's something I'm going to aim for!
Have you been sight-seeing around London? What's your favourite place or thing to do in London? If you haven't been, what would you love to see most?
