London — 2022
Mission log · 22–26 September 2022
VIEWSCREEN // LOG 2022
LONDON — 24/09/2022
Five days in London, from 22 to 26 September 2022: B'Elana's very first time in London, and her first-ever flight. From Big Ben and Tower Bridge to the top of The Shard and a visit to Buckingham Palace. Log below, day by day.
Day 1 — Thursday 22 September 2022
First flight, first evening in London
We depart from Eindhoven Airport on Ryanair flight FR5682 to London Stansted: for B'Elana, this is her very first flight ever. After landing we travel on to our hotel in London, check in, and start the evening with our first dinner. True to tradition, at Flat Iron. We close out the evening with a walk past Big Ben, the London Eye, and the buzz of Piccadilly Circus.
Departure from Eindhoven Airport
12:10
We stood outside Eindhoven Airport, ready to leave: the start of B'Elana's very first flight.
Waiting at the gate
14:47
At the gate we waited among the suitcases for boarding, the excitement of that first flight already very much in the air.
At the plane to London
15:05
Just before boarding, the three of us posed in front of the Ryanair plane that would take us to London Stansted.
B'Elana's first flight
15:55
Nose pressed against the window, B'Elana looked outside during her very first flight ever.
Arrived at Marble Arch
18:05
Once in London we walked past Marble Arch, our first taste of the city's streets.
Checking in at the hotel
18:29
We checked in at the OYO Boston Court Hotel and got the keys and the wifi password for our room.
A hug at dinner
19:57
During our first dinner in London, Liek and B'Elana snuggled up close for the photo.
First dinner in London
20:21
We sat down to a hearty first dinner, complete with steak, chips, and a bowl of popcorn.
First time on the Underground
21:09
On the escalator of a tube station, B'Elana took a cheerful selfie, on our way into central London.
Big Ben in the dark
21:12
At the Palace of Westminster we stood eye to eye for the first time with the towering, illuminated Big Ben.
Laughing selfie at Big Ben
21:18
With Big Ben in the background, Marc and B'Elana snapped a spontaneous selfie during the evening walk.
At the London Eye
21:19
On the bank of the Thames, Marc and B'Elana posed with the purple-lit London Eye behind them.
Evening at Piccadilly Circus
21:45
We ended the evening among the bright billboards of Piccadilly Circus, where B'Elana rested for a moment on the steps and took in all the buzz.
Day 2 — Friday 23 September 2022
Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Camden
On her first full day in London, B'Elana saw all the big classics straight away: Big Ben, the old fortress walls along the Thames, and Tower Bridge, followed by an afternoon full of colour in Camden. Despite the grey skies and drizzle, the mood stayed cheerful, with good food, spontaneous selfies, and a warm finish at the end of the day.
Breakfast in a colourful café
08:06
We started the day with breakfast at La Masseria, a cosy café full of cheerful murals, with Marc and B'Elana at the table, ready for a full day in London.
Eggs benedict to start
08:14
For breakfast we went for eggs benedict with salmon, a solid start for the walking day ahead of us.
At the Thames and the London Eye
09:04
Along the Thames, Liek and B'Elana posed with the London Eye behind them, as the city slowly came to life.
Silly selfie at Big Ben
09:04
At Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Liek and B'Elana went all out for a cheerful selfie, with the iconic clock tower standing proud behind them.
At the old fortress walls
09:28
Further along, B'Elana posed in front of the centuries-old walls and turrets of an imposing fortress on the Thames. The Tower, of course.
Old and new side by side
09:38
Above the medieval walls rose a gleaming skyscraper, "The Walkie Talkie": London at its best, old and new right next to each other.
Thumbs up at Tower Bridge
09:42
On Tower Bridge, B'Elana enthusiastically gave a thumbs up. The imposing bridge made a deep impression.
High above the city
10:26
From a high vantage point, that same "Walkie Talkie", or Sky Garden, we looked out over London, with the slender glass spire of The Shard clearly visible in the distance.
Walking along Camden Lock
11:47
In Camden, Liek and B'Elana walked past the colourful façades and the famous Camden Lock, with the bustle of the market behind them.
Photo with a robot in Camden
11:59
In a wacky shop in Camden, B'Elana happily posed next to a shiny robot, exactly the kind of quirky vibe Camden is known for.
Chocolate muffins to finish
19:05
At the end of a long day we enjoyed something warm to drink and a chocolate muffin, while outside the bustle of a station rushed past.
Day 3 — Saturday 24 September 2022
The busiest day of the trip
This Saturday was the busiest day of our London trip: we started with a hearty breakfast (yes, La Masseria again, our go-to breakfast spot), walked past Westminster Abbey and a red phone box, took a boat down the Thames to Canary Wharf, and finally climbed all the way to the top of The Shard. At the end of the evening we stood at Buckingham Palace, where flowers and cards had been laid everywhere in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
Breakfast to fuel up
08:19
B'Elana enjoyed an elaborate English breakfast with eggs benedict, all set for the busiest day of the trip.
At Westminster Abbey
09:26
Liek and B'Elana posed together in front of the impressive façade of Westminster Abbey, with the great rose window behind them.
Inside Westminster Abbey
10:04
Under colourful banners, Liek and B'Elana walked across the distinctive black-and-white floor, deep in conversation.
The red phone box
10:25
A photo by one of those iconic red phone boxes was, of course, a must.
On the boat deck
10:58
From the deck of the sightseeing boat, the Canary Wharf skyline slowly slid past.
A view over the Thames
10:59
Sailing along the Thames, we passed an impressive building that looked like it belonged in a spy film.
Looking at the skyscrapers
12:05
From the boat, we joined the other passengers in looking up at the gleaming towers of Canary Wharf.
Cheers with a refreshing apple juice
12:21
On a sunny terrace, B'Elana proudly raised her glass: time for a refreshing break along the way. Though fresh apple juice can taste surprisingly odd...
The shopping centre's dome
12:52
The glass dome of a shopping centre in Canary Wharf created a surprisingly beautiful play of light.
Arrival at The Shard
13:52
Having reached the very top of The Shard, B'Elana looked out over all of London for the first time.
Group photo with #SHARDVIEW
13:53
Marc, B'Elana and Liek posed together under the festive balloons, with all of London as the backdrop.
High above London
13:58
With Tower Bridge and the Thames far below us, B'Elana was clearly enjoying the view.
A view of the City
14:19
Below us, the Thames wound its way past the skyscrapers of the City of London.
A rest in the lounge
14:20
Marc and Liek treated themselves to a drink with a view, while B'Elana took the photo.
Selfie at The Shard
14:48
Right by the entrance, B'Elana looked up once more at the pointed glass tower.
A well-earned dinner
17:21
After such a busy day, a beautifully cooked piece of meat tasted extra good.
At Buckingham Palace
18:50
In the evening dusk, we walked past the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Flowers for the Queen
18:58
All over the city, flowers and cards had been laid in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, who had passed away shortly before.
Day 4 — Sunday 25 September 2022
From Tower Bridge to Buckingham Palace
On this full day, the family saw a large part of London: from a quiet breakfast and a ride on the open-top double-decker, via Trafalgar Square and the glass floor of Tower Bridge, to a cosy dinner. The day ended at Buckingham Palace, where thousands of flowers, flags and messages still lay in the park, an impressive reminder of the Queen's passing a few weeks earlier.
Breakfast with B'Elana
08:35
The day started quietly with breakfast around the corner: a freshly made toastie, a cappuccino, and B'Elana grinning broadly at the camera, her hair still wet and headphones around her neck.
On top of the double-decker
09:13
Up on an open-top double-decker bus, B'Elana already felt like a true Londoner, on her way to the next stop.
B'Elana at Trafalgar Square
09:46
At Trafalgar Square, with the tall column and the fountains behind her, B'Elana posed cheerfully in the morning sun.
At the fountain on Trafalgar Square
09:46
A little later she stood by the big fountain, the classic buildings standing stately around it.
A walk along the Thames
12:27
Along the way, the family enjoyed a quiet moment by a marina full of boats, with cloudy skies above the old warehouses.
B'Elana and Liek on the glass floor
13:21
High up in the structure of Tower Bridge, B'Elana and Liek stood together on the glass floor, with the Thames far below their feet.
B'Elana at the old steam engine
13:47
In the bridge's engine room, B'Elana admired the huge, bright green steam engines that used to power the bridge.
A colourful pub on the corner
14:02
Along the way, this strikingly blue pub on the corner caught our eye, busy on a Sunday afternoon.
B'Elana at the red phone box
14:08
B'Elana couldn't resist ducking into a classic red phone box for a playful photo.
Cheerful chef at the restaurant
15:30
At dinner, the cheerful chef behind the bar gave a thumbs up for the camera.
Flowers and flags at the park
17:46
In a park full of flowers, flags and personal messages, it was clear how many people had come by in the past weeks to pay their respects.
On the way to Buckingham Palace
18:50
In the evening dusk we walked through the crowds, on our way to the palace looming at the end of the avenue.
The ornate gates of the palace
18:53
At the golden gates of Buckingham Palace, the coats of arms with lion and unicorn were clearly visible, with guards visible in the courtyard.
Day 5 — Monday 26 September 2022
Last morning, then home
On the last day of the trip there was still time for a wet walk, an elaborate breakfast and a hug at Tower Bridge, before the 15:35 flight took us back to Eindhoven. A fitting close to a special week: B'Elana's very first visit to London, and also her very first flight ever.
Last walk through the city
09:09
In the morning sun, we walked through the streets of London one last time, on our way to breakfast.
At the flowers before departure
09:19
Liek and B'Elana posed once more by a colourful flower wall, with the Shard behind them.
Laughing at breakfast
09:23
At breakfast, B'Elana couldn't hold back her laughter.
Last breakfast in London
09:41
An elaborate breakfast with avocado, poached egg and bacon was the perfect way to close out the trip. A beautiful view over the Thames and Tower Bridge from the cool igloo pods of Coppa Tower Bridge.
At Tower Bridge
10:35
Just before departure, we stopped by Tower Bridge for a moment, headphones already on for the journey home.
A hug at Tower Bridge
10:35
Liek and B'Elana hugged one last time with Tower Bridge behind them, after an unforgettable first trip to London.
One last look at London
10:46
With this photo of a little London church, we said goodbye to the city, on our way to the airport for the flight home.