Harry Potter Walk

 Friday night I had the opportunity to go on a guided walk around London and got to see some of the places that Harry Potter was filmed. I was kind of bummed that it was at night because none of my pictures turned out except this one that was very well lit. 

 Platform 9 3/4 was originally filmed between Platforms 3 and 4 at King's Cross station. The sign had been kept in that spot, but since it was actually near a platform with people constantly walking by and crowds of people gathering to see it, the station found it prudent to move it. Unfortunately, there is also tons of construction going on, so the sign wasn't even on a real brick wall. Still a nice picture.

We also saw the place where the Death Eaters went though the streets of London (near Trafalgar Square), the alley that Diagon Alley was based off of, the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic, and two locations that were used for the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron (one near Borough Market and the other was a strange phone store or something). My favorite part was the boat ride we took on the River Thames right under the Millennium  Bridge (which was destroyed by the death eaters in HP 6). Like I said before, it was dark so I didn't get many pictures, but as I go by these locations again, I will take more pictures.

In other news, I think I am finally getting comfortable here in London. I know my way around pretty well with the tube, the buses, and on foot. I've found that I like the grocery store called Waitrose, and all the others are more expensive and/or worse quality. I found my favorite fruit and veggie stand on Twyford Place. It's about a 40 minute walk, but it's near good shopping in Covent Garden and Leicester Square.

Eric and I moved up to the top floor in our apartment building. We have a bigger bedroom and a really nice balcony in the back that catches the morning sun - that is when it is sunny. Today is laundry day again and it still takes 2 1/2 hours to WASH one load.

Yesterday, we celebrated Valentine's Day at home, and tonight we are going out to celebrate. Eric booked us reservations somewhere romantic. I told him that we would celebrate V Day on the 15th since the flowers and chocolates would be cheaper, and the restaurants less crowded. Pictures to come.