Buckingham Palace

The first item on our itinerary was Buckingham Palace. Here we are in front of the palace gates. Although you wouldn't know it by the photo. But this was the best pic we got. The first guy who we asked didn't even try to take a decent photo, and didn't even zoom in on us. At least in the above photo you can make us out.Uwe took this photo of us with the Buckingham Palace emblems on the gate behind us.The palace also has a nice park adjacent to it. This was a great opportunity to let Astrid run around and chase pigeons. (Which she LOVES to do.)

When traveling in the city we have to strap Astrid into her stroller because of the busy traffic and crowds of people rushing back and forth.

Another interesting thing I wanted to point out, which isn't apparent until you've traveled on foot in London, is that since they drive on the left side of the street (vs. the right side which we Americans of used to), when you cross the street you have to look for oncoming traffic from the opposite direction. This can be confusing. Some street corners in London have signs painted on the street saying "Look Left" or "Look Right" before crossing the street. Uwe and Astrid narrowly missed getting hit by a car.The first pic on our vacation where you can't see the abrasion on Astrid's nose. Her nose is starting to scab over. Since they confiscated our ointment at the airport, we purchased some vaseline at a pharmacy in London to put on her nose so it doesn't get too dry and heals nicely. A photo in front of some geese at the park, on our way to see Big Ben. Astrid was not happy about being put back in the stroller, but it was a long walk and rather than following us, she would rather chase pigeons around. The royal guard looking oh so serious as Astrid gawks and I smile for the camera.