Kate: Writing at the end of Day 2. It's late and we should probably get to sleep, so will make this quick.

Slept like babies almost all the way through the night!! Asleep at 9:30, up at 7:30, amazing! The bed is super comfy and we were well rested.

Then off on the tube to see Big Ben, Parliment Buildings and Westminster Abbey - although we didn't go in. Day started out gorgeous but quickly turned to light rain and we were too far to go back to the hotel to change my flats to boots = wet feet all day for Katie, but I was a pretty good trooper until my toes were freezing.

Then through St. Jame's park, with a to go bite at their cafe in the park - expensive for picnic type fare but it was there when we needed it. Made it to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard. It was so busy, we were across the street - those in front of the fence must have been up very early. We got to see the horses marching and band as well as some soldiers, but couldn't see anything on the grounds. Left early, walked through Green Park to Picadilly Street. Stopped at Starbucks for a cofee and people watching, then up the road and into some nice shops - including Fortnum & Mason - this GORGEOUS department store, established in 1707. Expensive candies, tea, coffees and everything from cheese to hats. (See photos)

Manaen was drooling over luxury cars (I am sure you will hear about it later!!) and the metal work.

Next it was off to Trafalger sqaure where we didn't stay long due to weather, and then over to the London Eye. Walked over the Jubillee pedestrian bridge and saw some great street musicians and performers along the way. We were hoping for a better day but oh well! We only have a few nights here and have lots to fit in. Stood in the line for about half an hour - it looked a lot longer than it was. Enjoyed the trip up and down.

After the London Eye my toes were much to cold so we set off for home on the tube. Lots of transfers due to engineering works over the long weekend, but we got the hang of it really quickly.

Hung out at the hotel for a few hours, got ready for dinner.

Tubed to Hyde Park corner area where we had dinner at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant - the Boxwood Cafe. Dinner was great, but service was slow in the end and we had to ask for our cheque after staring at each other for a few minutes. Expensive and probably wouldn't do it again although it was for sure a nice treat, dinner the night before was 20 pounds and was more satisfying to me! But I could have been hungrier. Guess who walked right past our table and into the VIP/Private Dining area - Jack Black!! So random. We seem to be having a "celebrity April". First the cast of Twilight, then Jack Black, and tomorrow we see James McAvoy in "Three Days of Rain" at the Apollo theatre.

Okay, that was longer than expected. Off to bed!