2. Tour Buckingham Palace Summer State Rooms.

Jess was one lucky London duck when she came to visit.  Knowing my days at work and London town were dwindling, I took two days off to cover some tourist ground with her (and cover off more things I've always wanted to do!).

On Friday, September 11th, we bolted for Buckingham Palace to have a Royal Day out in the State Rooms and Gardens.  I have a love/hate relationship with Buckingham Palace.  See, many peeps (once including me) think if there is ONE THING you must do when you come to London, it's get on your high horse and head to the watch the Changing of the Guards at the Buckingham Gates.

Oh, how wrong I was and they are! 

See, when I came over to the LON with my Etown Oxforders in '02.  We mistakenly headed to the only place we're really ever heard of, you guess it, the Palace.  It was rainy, it was cold, the Guards were stoic, but didn't change.  It was actually then and there I declared I 'hated the Lon' (and maybe used a few other expletives rhyming with Piccadilly) and would NEVER be back.

Oh, boy. Did I Eat. My. Words.

When I decided to return to London, I still had bitter memories of Buckingham. And although nearly 50 people have passed through our Offord road doors, not one of them will tell you did I ever recommend or go with them to the famous icon.  As the months and days have gone by, however, I've softened to the building and realized that ACTUALLY maybe there was something I was missing out on.  So with Jess in tow, we bowed out and went in.

Now, what I now say may surprise you.  But I dare you to go.  Leave out the changing of the Guard, and if you happen to be lucky enough to be in London town when the Queen takes up residence in Balmoral or Windsor and opens her doors. 

Go.  Visit Buckingham Palace State Rooms.  They are truly lovely, inspiring, and full of history.  Enjoy the time and tour there - because although I'm not a huge fan of pre-recorded tours, it's one of the best in the London-biz.

Sarah P, Andi, and others I apologize for writing off that lovely day in London as a loss.  As I look back now and realize if we hadn't gotten lost at the Palace, I may have never found all the other gems of London that I lived to tell about here.

J-lo, thanks for getting in gear and getting to London so we could enjoy a Royal Day out together.  Enjoying it with you was the "chocolate powder crown" on top!