Mike and I never really intended to take the kids to Europe. It always felt too expensive and too daunting. But, when we were looking at the price of flights to Hawaii and discovered we could go to London for the same price, we entertained the idea. So, in January 2022 we bought 6 tickets to London with a return flight from Paris. Thus started to waiting game for August 21st, 2022.
The first leg of our flight (7.5hrs) was bad. We were flying through the night, so we all were attempting to sleep (except Tyson who had the time of his life watching movies and had no idea he was supposed to try to sleep--not that we hadn't told him MULTIPLE times). Our seats were so uncomfortable, and close together. I don't think any of us slept for more than 30 minutes.
We arrived in Iceland just as the sun was rising (which was pretty exciting, except for the fact that we couldn't leave the airport) with sore backs, hungry bellies and tired eyes. Jordan was even crying, her body was in so much pain (and it takes a lot for Jordan to cry!!)
Our next flight was shorter (3.5hrs) and we all managed to get a little more sleep. But when we arrived in London, we were exhausted. It was Summer's turn to cry in this airport...this time because her shoes were hurting her feet (oh man, it was going to be a long trip). Luckily we were able to get her old shoes out of her duffle bag (never again will I bring a duffle bag on a trip like this) and switch them!
There were so many different sinks, hand dryers, toilets etc. on this trip. Here's Summer using two (very powerful) hand dryers at once in the Iceland airport
We picked up our rental car and Mike started driving--on the left side of the road (and the right side of the car! using the gear shift with your left hand was strange--at least we had an automatic)!!! Eek! We mapped our phone to the first stop, LDS Temple:)
Once we were at the temple we decided we were all too tired to drive the 2 hours to the beach and then the 2 hours to our hotel. So we scratched the Brighton Beach plan and headed straight to find some food and check into our hotel. It was an 8 hour time difference, so we flew through the night but arrived at around noon the next day.
We tried to find some British food, but we were all a little irritable and tired to really enjoy much of it...not to mention, it wasn't great.
Looks like the only picture I took of the food was the ketchup and vinegar packets haha...we were excited to get the white vinegar packets!
Halfway through our drive to the hotel, we switched drivers and I got to attempt driving on the left side. It was strange, but I have to admit, I was a better driver than I was navigator. Besides the wrong side of the road, the sights seemed pretty similar to the PNW we were used to. Lots of green trees and overcast.
We were so excited to arrive at the hotel. Even if it was hot and stuffy, with no AC and a window that kept slamming shut haha. We wondered around Amesbury looking for something for dinner, but most things were closed because it was Sunday. We found a little convenient store and grabbed a few snacks (and met a boy with an amazingly thick British accent that only Jordan could understand). And Tyson coined to line "You know, you have to take those opportunities right when they come" after Summer missed out on climbing a tree with him. We all had a good laugh.
None of us slept great that first night, but we were up bright and early the next morning, (maybe 5am) to start our adventures...but not before our full English breakfast (made to order each morning).
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