A Dream Come True ~HP Studio Tour

Leksi is the biggest Harry Potter fan I know.  She's read the books dozens of times (actually read the series more than 20 times.  Right Leksi?)  You can test her. Name any part of a book, and she can tell you within a few pages where the event happens.  It's pretty amazing.  So, when the trip to Europe was being planned, Leksi wanted to be sure the Harry Potter Studio Tour (just outside of London) was on the list.  And, I really wanted her to see it.  She was so in love with these books when she was in my class, and I wanted to experience it with her.  I don't think her dad was completely on board with this (not exactly a European dream destination,) but he conceded and the HPST was added to the list.  

We took a train to meet the Harry Potter bus.  Super easy and far less expensive than doing the actual tour.  And, you have unlimited time in the studio.

We made it!

These are the actual chess pieces used in the movie.  These are the studios and backlots used for filming, so everything you see was actually a prop or set in the movie.  It's really awesome for HP fans like us!

Waiting to go in…..

Cedric Diggory fan here!

He's Slytherin and no one can change his mind.

The Great Hall!

Picking their favorite wands.

This wand training is serious business.

Butterbeer for everyone.  It is sooo good.  Tastes a lot like cream soda.

The Hogwarts Bridge

The Knight Bus

We've been there thanks to the Kirschenman family!

#4 Privet Drive

Diagon Alley

This is the most impressive part and moves me to tears.  There is Harry Potter music playing and the room changes from day to night.  This set was used for ariel shots of the castle in the movie.  You can see the scale of it compared to the people.  It is just amazing.

Wands!

Another great trip to the studio, and we were so happy to share it with the Knepps.  I love the spooky Dementor looking sky. Where's the dark mark?

Front row on the bus with treats from the gift shop that only cost a small fortune. Ha!

Back in London, we made a very quick stop in the British Museum to the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.

Closing time, so I could get a shot of the empty room.  Nice!

Outside the British Museum

The girls wanted to eat at Nando's because it's a favorite restaurant of some of the 1D guys.  Allison just HAD to take Leksi there.

Next stop…Trafalgar Square

Cute new matching sweatshirts

I only included this pic, so you can learn from me.  You do not wear cute, leopard, fabric ballet flats on rainy days in London.  I literally was losing them off my feet.  Wear your wellies!

Standing in the center of London.

The London Eye

We only looked.  We didn't ride this time.

We ended the night with a stop at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge to see them at night.

 Just one more day of fun with the Knepps.  Next up is the last day in London.

Until next time,

Wendy

Keep Calm and Go to London

Our last trip of the Knepp's vacation was to London.  This is Allison's favorite city, and she could not wait to share it with Leksi.  We boarded the Eurostar bright and early for the two hour train ride.  Well, the ride was a bit longer by about 30 minutes as there seemed to be some technical problems with the Chunnel (short name for the Channel Tunnel ~ a 50 km rail tunnel beneath the English Channel linking the UK to mainland Europe.)  We did find out later that trains after ours were stopped in the Chunnel and passengers had to disembark.  I cannot imagine having the kids get out in the tunnel!  Several trains were cancelled as well. We were so lucky we made it through and could enjoy our first day in London.

Of course we couldn't pass through King's Cross Station without a stop at Platform 9 3/4!

Unfortunately, I missed Ilyse, and Thomas was a party pooper and wouldn't do it.

After getting situated in our rooms, we were off to Buckingham Palace.  We passed through Green Park where the fan park was located for Le Tour de France.  So exciting!  

There were a lot of people hanging out around the palace with the race passing right by.  

Oh hello there!  He was quick.  I almost missed him!

Yes, we planned the shirts.  I'm sure that doesn't surprise those of you those know me and Andrea. :)

Now that is some patriotism!

The Mall was all decked out and ready for the riders.

The Vastines got all decked out too!

Getting some pics with the Horse Guards.  

Hey Mr. Prime Minister…come on out and see us!

 I think these are my first pictures of Big Ben with blue skies!  Those blue skies didn't last the whole time, but they were great while they lasted.

Obligatory phone booth pics.  I don't want to ruin it for you, but most of them stink like urine.  You're in and out for a pic.  And, you certainly don't put your face to the receiver…THOMAS!

So excited for the riders to go by!

What a great perch!

We enjoyed the sponsors driving by and throwing free stuff to the crowd.

Still smiling.  We ended up waiting about 3.5 hrs for the riders to go by.

Getting more crowded

BORED out of his MIND!

You knew it was time.  All of the arms went up with phones and cameras in hand.

The race leaders for this stage!

And, in about 20 seconds it was over, but it was so worth it!

The lovely Westminster Abbey.  We didn't go in.  But, enough about that.  Right Andrea? ;)

Hair by the cool tube breeze.

Of course!  You need to eat!

Dinner stop in Covent Garden.

And, you can't go to London with kids without a stop at the M&M World.

This. Cracks. Me. Up!

Professional Tube rider

Andrea's great pic of stage leaders.  She had a great view from the fence, but she had very tired legs after all that waiting.

Next up is the Harry Potter Studio Tour.  Yep, it gets its own post!

Until next time,
Wendy