It was our last full day in London and breakfast in the lounge was as tasty as always, though this one was highlighted by another guest putting a croissant in the toaster surrounded by signs informing people not do to that in several languages. The croissant predictably got stuck and started to flame up. The staff was quick to notice that and put it out quicky. The oblivious guest was around the corner playing with their phone. This was clearly not the first time this had happened but it took the toaster out of commission for most of breakfast while it cooled and got cleaned.

Breakfast was otherwise drama-free and we were able to finalize our plans for the day. The kids wanted to do the Natural History museum so my dad and I decided to do the Museum of London.

Museum of London

My dad and I took the tube to the same stop we had used when we went to the Globe Theater and Tate Modern museums two days earlier, but we headed in a different direction out fo the station. We arrived at the museum just as it opened and started through. We seemed to b the only ones there for much of our time there.

The first exhibit we visited was definitely memorable. It was a piece of the famous London Fatburg. Apparently there was a large deposit of fat and congealed gunk that built up in the sewers over the years and had clogged one of the main pipes. It was huge, as in the size of two football fields. It took significant effort to break it apart and clear the sewer. It was also extremely toxic but scientists studied it to see what exactly it was made up of. The display showed a smaller piece of it behind protective glass of course.

The museum showcased the history of London from early times, through the time of the Romans, all the way to modern times. Like the exhibits in the related Docklands Museum we visited the day before, the ones here were very engaging and the storytelling was excellent. This was another highly recommended museum and we both loved it.

Harrods

My wife had texted me that they were getting lunch and then heading to Harrods to check it out. Harrods is a famous high end department in London. You can buy anything high end you can think of there from a Rolex to a Porsche, to perfumes and jewelry.

After a quick lunch we headed to meet them inside. They were in the toy area (of course) and we eventually found them with some help from some of the staff. The kids thought it was great. We soon realized we couldn’t afford much there though, so after a little more browsing, we decided to head back to the hotel via the bus to the kids’ delight.

Dinner

I took the kids to the fitness center, but the staff notified us they weren’t old enough so we headed back to the hotel to chill for a couple hours before dinner.

We decided to go back to Carnaby Street one last time. We were determined to try a new place, though at the last minute our youngest insisted he wanted to have the chicken and waffles at Stax that my dad had in a previous visit there. My dad had failed to be able to finish the whole portion and my youngest felt he was up the challenge and wasn’t going to change his mind. I was going to take him there separately but my dad and Tomatico decided they would join us after all so plans to try something new quickly fell apart. My wife ventured out on her own, though.

Our youngest managed to eat the whole portion all by himself so he won the challenge. I have no idea how he did it, but it’s gone down in family lore for all time. For a little guy he can really pack away a lot of food when he wants to.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel to put the kids to bed. My dad wanted to get his favorite gelato one last time so we snuck out without the kids knowing. I made sure he got a medium side this time and he loved every last bite!

Our last full day in London was sadly complete. The next day we would be heading home on an afternoon flight out of Gatwick.