Holiday From Real.

Back from an eventful mini-vacation to London, and it seems the J's are more disfunctional than ever. My mother has a voice that quite literally goes 'wahh, wahh, wahh'. All the effing time!
Oh, how I have missed blogging, and the peace and quiet of home.
However, I really have realised my love for city life this weekend.

Thursday. Day 1.
Naturally, stressed and running late, we got to the station with literally minutes to spare. After several rants from my mother in my direction, it was laughable that the train was cancelled and we would have to hang around for an hour for the next. Well, she saw her arse then! A coffee, a calm down, and several Revels later, we were bound for destination LDN.
On arrival, AJ led the way for the hotel. An experienced city-goer, and the head of the family, no-one dared doubt his leadership.. until about four miles, two hours and about ten arguments later.
Turns out the hotel was literally around the corner from the station. After AJ had left on a solo mission, with the aim of retrieving us when he was definate - I took it upon myself to 'Google Maps' the way. On arrival at the hotel, I was so sick of the bickering, I felt indifferent to the abandonment of the family dinner plans in preference to a catch up. On the bright side (for my parents) turns out that the incompetant receptionist couldn't add up how much our rooms were to cost - so AJ only paid for two of the three rooms we were given. Silly woman! Saved my parents seven-hundered and something pound though! Literally checking in, a quick spray of deoderant, and I was off back to the station for a lovely rendevous.
Post-dinner, we said our goodbyes and I was off to meet my family for dessert, wine, and polite conversation.

Day 2. Friday.

The sun was shining, and we arrived at the palace just in time for the parade and changing of the guard ceremony. It was like a meeting of the United Nations in the foreground - with the tourists out in fine force. AJ (Female) still harbouring PMS/Menopausal remarks - after an uncomfortable breakfast, it culmulated into a huge row and me walking off to do my own thing.
Sticking around to listen to the band, she eventually apologised, and it was tea at Harrods and off to lunch in
Kensington before we hit the museums.
V&A, Natural History, and the Science Museum - all in one hit.
Hard going to say the least.
EJ and I leaving before the end to go to Oxford Street for a bit of City-esque retail therapy - the knowledge intake all got a little much for her little blonde head i think! A new pair of Topshop Jeans, an Urban Outfitters bag, a lust for everything Selfridges and a fleeting browse of Primark - it was hot, hot, hot in London town!
Back for drinks in the hotel bar, and it was J family dinner time again.
Hurting feet, an invitation to a Jack Wills Party, and a catch up with an old city friend - I chose an early night with Bombay Sapphire - my nouveau love.

Day 3. Saturday.

Madame Tussauds - fantastic, fantastic! At £25 a pop - not the cheapest of LDN attractions - but definately worth it. AJ & EJ choosing the shops again over the tourist hotspot. A quick sing with Miley Cyrus, a kiss with Zac Efron and it was again to lunch to rendevous the J's - Tiger Tiger style. AJ had a suprise for the rest of the family she presented us over lunch - tickets to see 'Grease' the musical - with Ray Quinn from X Factor playing Danny. Show down, it was back to the hotel, come dine with me whilst we changed, and drinks before dinner, again. One too many G&T's later it was off to bed.

Day 4. Sunday.

The best day. The final full day in the big smoke.
After breakfast and shower, it was off to meet the Uni boys in the West End for some not-so-tourist LDN times. After a coffee and a wander down Oxford Street, it was a dip into Soho, and a catch up before hitting the shops. Chatting and walking - MA & I got stopped by scouts - yes, 'model scouts' for a polaroid and a 'chance to win a blackberry as the true style of London's highstreets'. (It being highstreet fashion week.) Hmmm...
Anyway - then it was a late lunch, and more tales of the summer. One glass of wine soon became one bottle, and the Villa Maria made me incredibly late for the Albert Hall concert (the sole reason for our trip to la capital.) Disappointed looks from AJ - after several missed calls and a sobering run around the station, it was curtains up for Handel's Messiah at the Proms. Dull, dull, dull! Super warm, pretty drunk, and sat high in the rafters - it was definately not my cup of tea, and soon I found myself drifting off to sleep, much to the AJ's disgust.
Oh well!
Following the concert - a street Chinese, and the last tube home before bed, again, for the final time.

Day 5. Today.

Home time! A final walk down to the West End whilst AJ, Grandad and WJ hit the British Museum.
Then it was back to the station for the train home.
Turns out the playlist I had made for LB & the trip to MCR is the best thing for journeys.

Phenominal.