Watching All the Black Umbrellas Pass Me By...

This Saturday we woke up to a true London day, overcast and rainy. However, we pressed on despite the temptation to sleep the day away inside and we headed out to Portobello Road Market. Anyone ever seen Notting Hill with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts?

Well, if so, Portobello Road Market is in the movie and Carrie and I shopped there for over four hours today in the rain. It was wonderful, we found good deals and met designers who have had their jewelry and accessories featured in magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Notting Hill is my favorite area of London, and spending the morning there was absolutely ideal!

After shopping, Carrie and I headed back to the hotel to get dressed for high afternoon tea at the Orangery. The Orangery used to be a greenhouse for Kensington Palace and now serves as a restaurant, famous for their afternoon tea. We ordered the Enchanted Palace Tea which included: chocolate tea, assorted finger

sandwiches, an orange scone with butter and jam, a clotted cream and raspberry heart-shaped pastry, and my favorite chocolate ganache cake. The whole tea was so elegant and delightful that we might just have to go back next Saturday!

Following the luxurious afternoon tea, we spent the afternoon visiting the true Enchanted Palace, Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace was home to Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. The exhibit told of secrets and stories of the palace's inhabitants, and the rooms and interior are splendid. While there Carrie and

I got to sit on a real throne, while one of the workers kindly offered to bow for us, Queen Carrie and Queen Samantha!

Finally, our day concluded with a lovely dinner with the group celebrating our wonderful professor, Dr. Sutherland’s birthday! He is quite the character and we really enjoy having him around!

Today, was by far our favorite day in London. We really were able to truly experience it: the rain, the markets, tea, and of course royalty! Today, was our first true free day to explore and it was fantastic. So from London, goodnight to all, tomorrow we’re going to HILLSONG LONDON for church and I can’t wait!

Cheers!

Sam