London Bucket List - Hampstead Heath & The Monument

Around this time of year, I usually find myself thinking back, reflecting on the past year that has come to a close.  As I sit here thinking back to the good and the bad these past few years in London, I can't help but wonder about the limited time we have here.  Have we made the most of it?  Did we accomplish everything we set out to do?  Have we dedicated enough days to being tourists in our city?  As you can imagine, the list goes on and on, and it's nearly impossible to stop my mind from going around and around in circles.  Grant and I aren't sure what the future holds for us, so all we can do is live in the moment (this is something I'm trying to continuously remind myself of)...there's nothing we can do about the past, and there's no point worrying about what the future holds, so we need to just take one day at a time.

So, this brings me to another resolution of mine for this year...to take advantage of this amazing city that we live in, and explore, explore, explore!  

This past weekend, we did just that!  It's time to start crossing things off our list, so that there are no regrets once this adventure comes to a close.  Plus, how fun is it to play tourist in your own city?!  I encourage all of you to do this, at least once a month.  It's extremely refreshing, and a good reminder of how lucky you are to be living where you are!  I'm convinced that every city in the world has some hidden jewels, and many things to be proud of.

To keep us committed to this resolution, I'm going to start a London Bucket List series...

Hampstead Heath

I've heard about the amazingly huge and beautiful Hampstead Heath ever since we moved here.  It's only about a 30 min tube ride north of us, so why it took us this long to get there, I don't know.  The important thing is, we finally made it!

Hampstead is a beautiful borough of London, with proper English mansions...I could have walked for miles, just admiring the homes.

And the Heath was just as stunning.  Our main goal was to make it up Parliament Hill, in order to get a glimpse of the view of the city.  Even though it was quite chilly, we managed to find a bench and enjoy a little picnic we brought with us (wine included!) while overlooking the city.  It was such a nice, relaxing day exploring another neighborhood in this huge city.

The Monument
There's a tube stop, which we pass through on a regular basis, called Monument.  It never once occurred to me though, to look into what the actual Monument was.  Luckily, one of Grant's coworkers from Australia is in the same boat as us, busy trying to fit it all in, and she told us about The Monument (completed in 1677) - built to commemorate the Great Fire of London (1666) and to celebrate the rebuilding of the City.  311 steps later, you're rewarded with some pretty spectacular views of the city (by now, you know that G and I are suckers for good views of the city!).

Cheers to 2014!

We're baaaack!

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas, and that 2014 is off to a great start!  What are your New Year's resolutions for the upcoming year?  I know one thing I need to add to my list.  *I promise to blog on a more regular basis.  

Okay, now that it's public, you have to help hold me to it.  Deal? 

So, let's jump right in... since you haven't heard from us in awhile, I thought I would say a quick hello (hello!), and catch you up to speed on the happenings from fall/winter 2013 (it's only January, so I'm not that late).  Enjoy!

September:

Vikings in London

G and I hosted our first ever Urban Tailgate.  That's right, we set up shop on the sidewalk of Old Brompton for an afternoon filled with pints, American football, QUESO!, and homemade jalapeno poppers.  Not too shabby, if I do say so myself!

G, myself, and four of G's coworkers were off to cheer on the Vikings at Wembley Stadium (shout out to Uncle Bill - thanks for the tickets!).  Our presence and cheering paid off, as the Vikings actually won :)  

Even Diane was able to make it!  Such a fun surprise!!

October:

The Secret Garden

Since our time here in London is limited, we're trying to check off as many must-sees on our list before we're forced ready to throw in the towel and move back to the good ol' US of A.  One said must-see is Holland Park - only a 20 min walk from our flat, so in London terms, it's practically in our backyard.  I absolutely love strolling around this park on a beautiful, sunny day, and was so excited to finally have G with me this time around!  Our little secret garden...  

A Night at the Opera

G and I enjoyed a lovely date night at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to see Mozart's Marriage of Figaro...and it did not disappoint!

Royal Baby Shower

Or, as close to a royal baby shower as I'll get :)  Our friends Kaila and Joe are proud parents of cutie pie Charlotte Olivia, born on December 12th.  Back in October, Kelly E, Kelly F, and myself threw them a couples shower at the beloved Hollywood Arms, in anticipation of the arrival of their little bundle of joy!  

Amsterdam, take 2

This time with our dear friends, Hilario & Alicia and Michael & Julie!

Dinner at Supperclub Amsterdam

Our table couch for the evening...very unique dining experience

Greatest photo and photobomb ever!

Book of Mormon

Finally!  SO funny!

November:

2nd Annual Thanksgiving in London

A success, once again!

The Brits brought us some Lone Star to enjoy with our Thanksgiving meal :)

Oh, Movember...

Hilario & Alicia's Leaving Do :(

Technically, we were celebrating their leaving do, Hilario's birthday, and Hilario's "retirement"...and what better way to celebrate than with a mariachi band!  haha  We had a lovely evening, but miss them terribly.  They're headed back home to Monterrey, Mexico, so we're already looking forward to our reunion in 2015.  Adios amigos!

Alicia hosted a dinner for 9...she's pretty phenomenal!

See, I wasn't kidding...who would've thought we'd be serenaded by our very own personal mariachi band in a flat in west London!  haha

A number of "Ladies of Leisure" outings :)

Exploring beautiful Richmond with Alicia & Julie

THE most amazing afternoon tea!  If you're coming to London anytime soon, you MUST go to Sketch for tea...a much more unique and creative tea experience (aka not so stuffy and boring!)

Borough Market with the pups

December

Bruges for Christmas

And last, but not least, our trip to Bruges for Christmas!  I've been dying to get to Bruges, and we picked the perfect time of year to go there...when the Christmas markets are in full swing.  We pretty much ate and drank our way through the charming city, relaxing, and taking it all in.

We couldn't resist the ice skating rink in the middle of the main square...definitely the most amazing place I've ever ice skated :)

That's G whipping around the curve!

Merry Christmas from Bruges!

It was so nice to see you all during the holidays.  Thanks for showing us a great time back in Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston - we had an amazing time visiting with you all!  This experience wouldn't be the same without you - our supportive and positive family and friends, so thank you!  We miss you all so much...as much as we love it here, it's always hard coming back after the holidays, as we're hit with the realization that it will most likely be another year before we see you again.  Keep in touch...it means the world to us to hear from you :)

Keep an eye out for one more 2013 update, which deserves its own very long post (apologies in advance!)...our amazing holiday in CAPE TOWN!

Cheers to 2014!