London and Leeds

Travel Day One - 14 September 2017 - Arriving in London 🛬

Convincing a long-time friend from Wisconsin to come on a spontaneous four-day trip to London and Leeds was easier than expected. We flew Virgin Atlantic from Atlanta to Heathrow Airport, passed through customs and UK Border Control, and caught the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. From there we walked to our hotel in Kensington Square Gardens, which was comfortable and welcoming. After dropping off luggage, the local bookshops were first on the agenda.

While mapping out the itinerary at the hotel, my friend noticed he couldn't connect to the data network on his phone. A call to his carrier sorted it out quickly. With that out of the way, the tube was ready to be used for the first time, paying by contactless.

By lunchtime, we stopped at a restaurant called Farmacy. The waitress was friendly and full of useful tips about the UK and London. After that, the main destination of the day: Treadwell’s Bookshop. It's a great spot for book lovers, and we left with ample reading materials.

Back at the hotel, we checked emails and sent messages home to let people know we'd arrived safely. There had been a fake fire-bomb incident earlier that day that shut down parts of the underground, and concerned messages were waiting. Later on, we had dinner at a Thai restaurant nearby.

Day Two - 15 September - The Long Train Ride to Leeds

An early rise to catch the 6:30 a.m. train from Kings Cross. The LNER took us to Leeds, then onwards to a village nearby where another friend lives. We spent the day there visiting.

Later we caught a double-decker bus back to Leeds. Hangry from a full day without food, a Subway in the train station provided a quick bite. With time to spare before the return train, we walked around Leeds and took photos at a few scenic spots before heading back to London.

Our time in Leeds was short but good — hearty conversations, peaceful walks, and eventually something to eat.

Day Three - 16 September - Kensington Gardens, Watkins Books, and Dishoom

After breakfast at the hotel, we strolled over to Kensington Gardens. The round pond with the ravens, swans, and ducks wandering about was a genuinely lovely sight.

Next was Watkins Books, conveniently near the tube station. After browsing, we made our way to Covent Garden for lunch at Dishoom. Another very good meal. Then back to the hotel.

That afternoon, sinus congestion set in and I took a nap. After resting, we went to a Greek restaurant called Santorini for dinner. The food exceeded expectations and turning it into a real evening was absolutely the right call.

Day Four - 17 September - British Museum and Library

Breakfast, then the tube to the British Museum. We spent at least an hour or two working through the exhibits — there's a lot to cover and it's easy to lose track of time.

After the museum, on to the British Library. Also worth the visit. By this point the sinus congestion was making itself known again, and it was time to head back.

Back at the hotel, we picked up sandwiches and smoothies from Pret and spent the rest of the afternoon recovering. Not the plan, but necessary.

Day Five - 18 September - Flying home 🛫

After breakfast, the tube to Paddington, then the Heathrow Express to the airport. Getting through security with bags full of books is always an adventure.

Once through, we grabbed some food on the secure side and waited at the gate. The return trip was an eight-hour Virgin Atlantic flight to Atlanta, then a Delta connection home. We arrived back tired but intact.

A bittersweet goodbye to London — though carrying a bag full of books helped soften it.