Aimee and Jonathan Smith, our friends from church, came with us. I was really glad, because not only are they lots of fun, but they have a car. So, we drove most of the way and then got on the tube at Gant's Hill. That meant I got to sleep in my car seat on the way there and all the way back!
This is the first time I got to wear pajamas into London! Daddy had me in the tummy pack the whole time, too. I love being in the tummy pack because then I'm up high and I can see everything.
We got off the tube at Holborn, right by the British Museum, then walked down to the River Thames. We found the PERFECT spot on Waterloo Bridge--we could see the London Eye, Canary Wharf, and (most important of all): Big Ben!!
 |
| Our View from Waterloo Bridge |
We laughed and danced and talked until 9:45---and then I told Daddy it was time for a bottle and sleep! I was so tired--I really wanted to stay up and see the fireworks, but I was just too knackered (as the British would say). We were on Waterloo Bridge...having so much fun....I started to sing...Daddy was so nice and warm....I'm just wanted to close my eyes for a second....
So---Mummy here. Little Brute fell asleep around 10:00 and, unfortunately, missed all the excitement of the fireworks. Daddy and I were so grateful, however, because that meant actually got quite a bit of sleep! Daddy zipped him up in his coat giving him a warm, dark place to sleep. It even muffled the sound. Which was probably a good thing.
 |
| All you could see of Little Brute was one foot....awww! |
It's long been on my bucket list to spend New Year's Eve with Big Ben in view. When we found out we would be in England for a year, it was one of the first things I mentioned to Daddy---we MUST be in London on December 31st. The Christmas holiday was full of fevers, coughing, chest pain, bad sleep, and more used tissues than I care to mention, so it was looking like my dream might have to be put on hold. Luckily, by the 31st Little Brute was better and I was the only one battling the chest cold. So, we jumped in Aimee and Jonathan's car and headed for London.
When we got out of the tube at Holborn, I was surprised to see very empty streets. Oh, a handful of people were milling about, making their way towards the Thames, just as we were. Little Brute was chowing down on his first bottle of the night, with Daddy cradling his head as we walked (he's become quite the proficient feeder/walker, that Daddy). When we got to the Embankment, the crowds appeared, though nothing like I had anticipated. Waterloo Bridge was right in front of us and we found a nice spot where we could see Big Ben and the Eye.
I looked at my phone: 8:30. Holy wow--we still had 3 1/2 hours before midnight. In an effort to kill some time, we decided to see how close to Westminster Bridge we could get. Not very close. They had been keeping count of how many people were in specific areas (very smart Fire Marshall) and had barricaded the end of the Embankment by the entrance to the bridge. Oh well--our journey through the crowds burned at least an hour and we still made it back in time to find a fantastic viewing spot on Waterloo Bridge.
 |
| Pre-sleep for Little Brute. :) |
As the time slowly ticked by, I was incredibly grateful to have the Smiths with us. It's so nice to have great conversation to pass the time! We talked, laughed at the drunken Germans trying to start the wave, took pictures, danced (ok, just Aimee and me), and looked forward to the 12 dongs from Big Ben himself.
At 11:30---it began to rain. Brollys went up and we huddled together. Luckily the "rain" (it was more a bit of a drizzle), quit coming down around 11:50, just in time for us to get really excited about the fireworks!
And then it happened--10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2...1...Big Ben's glorious voice echoed down the Embankment and across the Thames to where we were standing, welcoming in the New Year. Red and gold fireworks exploded the from London Eye and within seconds, our senses were overwhelmed with the smell of sulfur, the beauty of the fireworks, and the music of Britain, welcoming in the year 2014. Daddy and I snuck a kiss right at midnight, careful not to squish our sleeping babe.
The fireworks were spectacular, just as I hoped they would be. The Houses of Parliament quickly faded behind of the smoke and ash as hundreds of fuses were lit, sending red, green, blue, purple, and gold explosions into the night sky.
As I was snapping away with my new camera, the people around me suddenly took several steps back. Daddy quickly retreated to the edge of the bridge--yes, a drunken fight had started. Luckily, it was contained and stopped within a minute and we went back to enjoying the fireworks--but with a wary eye on those around us.
Before the show was over, we started making our way back to the tube--best to beat the crowds and the trampling that often takes place in these events. We left at just the right time--the mad dash quickly followed us as we made it through the gates and onto the streets of London. Our adventure wasn't over, however. We enjoyed the embarrassing antics of drunks, particularly a foreign couple who could barely walk. He made his way down the street kissing any girl who would let him, while his partner giggled and fell over as they tried to get on the tube. Luckily, being sober, we made it down the escalator before they could and secured our place on the Central Line, loosing them in the crowd (there's only two people I'd take a kiss from on New Years, and they were both right next to me. I was glad we avoided that awkwardness). All the while--Little Brute slept on. Completely safe and secure in his Daddy's coat. When we got to the car, we checked our pockets--none of us had been pick-pocketed while we were there. Every camera, coin, wallet, and iphone was still in our possession.
As we rode the tube to the car park outside the main bit of the city, I couldn't help but stop and think about what an amazing year 2013 was. We welcomed our sweet little boy into this world, moved a few times, Daddy graduated, we crossed the pond, Disneyland....so many things. We have so much to be grateful for. So much that is wonderful in our lives. And on the last night, one of my dreams came true--to be with the family that I love in the best city in the world, on the biggest night of the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment