My Cousin's in Town

My cousin, Natalie, is studying abroad in Ireland this semester and she came to London with some friends to visit.  She stayed at my place and we were able to hang out for a few days.  She arrived on Wednesday and was here until Saturday night.  We didn't meet up until Wednesday night, and kept it pretty simple by showing her one of my favorite pubs, Gloucester Arms.  A few of my friends went with but it was good to catch up with her and hear all about Ireland.

On Thursday we met up after Natalie went to the Imperial War Museum and had lunch at a pub near the National Gallery.  We had the most amazing food for cheap! I ordered fish & chips (so good here) and Natalie had bangers & mash (also very good).  After lunch we walked around the Piccadilly Circus area and then went to Covent Gardens.  Thursday night Natalie went to the Phantom of the Opera with some of the friends she came with.  They met up with us at O'Neills (an Irish Pub) after for some snakebites that we introduced to them.  We stayed for some dancing and good music from one of the house bands.

Friday, I hung out with the entire Ireland group that was here and we started at Tower Bridge.  We took many pictures there as this is one of the many famous London sites to see.  We then walked by the river, finding different areas to stop at and check out.  We walked through the Borough Market which was really fun because many of the vendors were giving free food samples of their products.  Everyone we talked to there was very friendly as well.  After much walking, we ended on the other side of the river at St. Paul's Cathedral.  Natalie, one of her friends, and myself decided to go in and stay for the Evensong.  It was beautiful music and such an awesome atmosphere to be in.  That night we hung out for a bit at the apartment her friends were staying at.  After waiting on a few others to get back from Wicked, we all headed out to the Camden area.  Natalie and I decided not to go where everyone else was going since there was a cover charge, so we went to a pub instead called the Wheelbarrow.  It played some good oldies so it was fun to sit and listen to those.

Hannah, Natalie, and I spent Saturday together.  We took the tube to find the Somerset House where much of the London Fashion Week is currently taking place.  We were able to go in and walk around a bit, but of course didn't have access to much.  We saw a lot of outrageous hair, makeup, and outfits.  It was fun to see a little of what London Fashion Week is all about.  Our next stop was Westminster Abbey since Natalie had not been there yet.  We made it just in time for another Evensong so we stayed and listened to that one as well.  From there we went to Notting Hill to check out the markets.  I swear next time I am there I am getting a crepe!  They always look so good.  By the time we got back to my place, it was time for Natalie to head over and meet her friends to catch their bus to the airport.  I was so glad that she came to London and that we were able to hang out so much.  I will be visiting her in Ireland the end of March so it will be fun to have her show us around her city!

Natalie and her friends

Trying to be cool like the models