Saturday 13th Sept.......Happy Birthday to meeeeee
I was awake really.....really early this morning......two reasons.......it was my birthday......and secondly we were meeting up with The Bluers......someone else we were so looking forward to meeting up with. I knew from other people they were lovely people and a lot of fun so we were excited to meet up finally.
But first it was present time......as usual I wasn`t going to have a lot of presents as it was too much to bring some things over in luggage......but I had plenty. My main thing today was the Tiffany charm and chain....
I had picked it so it wasn`t a surprise, but it`s always lovely to open that little box whatever is inside. I was over the moon with it. I also got some perfume, a scarf, earrings and my cards. I had also got a Marni handbag which I had coveted for a while, I already had one but had seen this new one a few weeks before we left and Tom had said just to order it....yay......can never have enough handbags
he also said I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home.......I hate surprises when someone tells me about it.....I can`t stand to wait!!! But I would have to as they were not for telling me.........
Then after we were showered and dressed I called Mr Bluer`s room and we arranged to meet after breakfast near the boat dock......we didn`t know what they looked like....but they knew us, well I did know he was tall.....lol
So we went upstairs and had breakfast as usual, it was busier today in the lounge but we got a table by the window and had our usual breakfast. At home I would very rarely have continental meats and pastries for breakfast, and certainly not cinammon bun, so I was enjoying the weird mix, and as always the fruit selection is gorgeous and so fresh. Tummies filled we went back to room and put some sun screen on and wandered down to the boat dock. We were there just before the Bluers, who were minus little Bluer for this trip.........a few minutes later we saw the smiling face of Mr B.......I knew it was him immediately even though he was bounding towards us smiling.....he obviously recognised us.........so we made the introductions and began to walk down to the boat as we were there. But as there was no sign of a boat we began to walk.......another hot and beautiful day was ahead. And finally we were getting into the parks.........
I walked with Mrs Bluer and the boys walked behind and soon we were heading into The Studios........we had decided last night we couldn`t wait another day to see DA, and the Bluers were happy to do either park as they had seen DA before. But, we went in and we all did Despicable Me........we all love this ride......it`s so much fun to do.......I know we`ve done it a hundred times but everytime we see those Minions we just smile........we get straight on with EP.....most days we were so glad to have EP.......we just don`t want o have to queue...ever!! We came off and walked around to The Mummy which Mrs B didn`t do, so we all went on and it was so much fun.....it was good and fast this morning the way it feels sometimes late afternoon when it appears faster than the morning...or maybe that`s just my interpretation. When we came off Mrs B had little Bluer on her phone, so we got to see him and wave hi........very cute boy........
Then came the moment we had been waiting for.....Diagon Alley.
Having watched it progress over the last few years has been amazing. It`s truly hard to imagine how it used to be now, and I`m so glad we have plenty of pictures of old Amity and of course Jaws. But this is something else. We don`t have pictures of today as we just wanted to absorb every inch with our own eyes instead of through a lens. We do take pictures other days though.
The first thing we see is the Knight Bus parked outside DA......it is so cool to see, and of course it`s purple so I automatically love it.......we wander down to see the house elf pop his head through the curtain....we don`t have long to wait.......it`s a small touch but is so cool! Then we head back and enter DA.........as you walk through and hear the bricks "moving" you are immediately thrown in to the whole atmosphere and magic that is DA......then when you walk through and see it in front of you.....it really does take your breath away......especially gringotts in front of you......we were transfixed for a few minutes as we took in every color, every building and as much detail as our brain could absorb....it really is an assault on your senses walking into such amazing scenery.
That image was from another day, but had to put one pic in for this morning........
We continued to wander around into every nook and cranny that was available to us, all the time talking and getting to know the Bluers better.....we could hear the HE above us at one point.......we were so looking forward to going on that. As we passed Gringotts....I think the queue was long so we didn`t do it, as Bluers had ridden it already many times and we still had 2 weeks ahead of us so we could do it when there was less of a queue. So spent some more time and we were getting more and more impressed with what we were seeing........we LOVED Knockturn Alley......I think it`s my favorite place in the whole area.......but then I`ve always liked the dark and mysterious side to things......but we were totally blown away by it all.
We were not spending the whole day with Bluers as they had plans for some pool time in the afternoon.....but we did want to go on the HE with them. I know I always enjoy seeing someone`s reaction to things for the first time and we wanted to go on with them........they knew how good it was!!
Walking in to King`s Cross was weird, it is realistic but thankfully misses the odour that some train stations have.......again, it is so well done and the air conditioning makes it feel as chilly as London can be......there is so much to take in and we fully plan to do this many times so we can see as much as we can. Love the way you disappear into platform 9 3/4.........Mad Hattered had shown us a video of Mrs MH walking through and it looked so cool......but today we just walked through without taking pics.
There wasn`t much of a queue so we were on in no time......but not before we saw it pull in, albeit backwards into the station, it`s still very impressive as you don`t see regular steam engines much in the UK any more, usually for events and such but everything has been electric for decades.....shame really as there is something very romantic and nostalgic about the bygone age of rail travel.
So we get in to our carriage....and I couldn`t believe how exactly the same as it was not only from the film but from the way I remember trains from the early to middle 1970`s......it was uncanny......the same material and the same old windows........But, we got settled and waited to set off.
Spectacular!!!!! It was so good.........and Bluer pointed out to us when to look away from the window and turn to the door and see what was happening outside of the door........it is so impressive and fun. Short though.....before we know it we`re arriving in Hogsmeade.....but we plan to do that journey a few times. It is a handy way to get from one park to another.........especially like today....it is boiling hot....not a complaint though.
We wander in and all go to the bathroom, when sadly it was time to part company with our new in the flesh friends (as opposed to just online friends) It was so lovely to meet up with them after such a long time, and again we could spent all day with them as we were having so much fun, but they were leaving next day and had some sun time by the pool planned for the afternoon, and we were just glad we had managed to finally meet up with them. So hugs and warm wishes were exchanged and we set off our seperate ways. Sounds strange but we missed them immediately......but i think then we went on Duelling Dragons then Kyle decided he was hungry. I have no desire to eat in The 3 Broomsticks so we head back to Mythos where it looks quite busy, but we get seated in 10 minutes......don`t mind waiting as it is so hot outside and as most will know Mythos can be freezing.
I order Pad Thai and a sprite, I also order a side salad, Tom orders burger and sprite and Kyle......Cheese pizza and V daiquiri.......it was all gorgeous except for a piece of cheese in the salad.......yuk......nastiest cheese I ever tried.....it was purple and white....ugh!!! But everything else was beautiful
We really enjoyed the food in Mythos....last year I though Confisco Grill Pad Thai was nicer but this year Mythos was better......I just wish it was spicier....but I do like really hot food. We did ask if they had any jalapenos, they didn`t but sent out a little dish with some mild chillies on it......they were nice but not hot. So after we had been fed, watered and cooled down we headed back into the glorious sunshine.....they were laughing I was going into lizard mode as it was so cool in Mythos......I did need some sunshine, as yes, I was frozen at this point. It became a joke years ago when Kyle decided I really was lizard like....when the sun came out I went straight outside and absorbed every ray of heat I could get....then when the sun disappeared....so did I.....back inside. I like heat
We decided to get the HE back to Studios......that way we could see both runs and Kyle could get a chocolate ice cream from Ben & Jerry`s.........again there wasn`t much of a queue so we got on and shared the carriage with, well, they were a strange couple. Never smiled once nor did they look like they were having fun........opposite to our other journey. I find I can talk to anybody and I did try to make conversation.....but I got the message......we were very animated in our appreciation of the train journey and it is just as good on the way back as it was going.....you really have to do both journey`s on it. The dour couple never spoke a word to each other nor did they even glance at the view or when there was activity at the door. We were glad to be off to be honest. Anyway, we went back and did the Mummy and then Kyle got his ice cream, we just had water....think we had drank about a gallon today......
It never looks as big in pictures as what it really is.......It`s a big portion and sadly I never get a bit as I hate Chocolate ice cream too. Unless it`s white choc ice cream
We sit in there for about 20 minutes before heading back out and deciding what to do next......We all feel the heat so we decide to go back to hotel. A few years ago on our first park day we spent just a bit too long in the blazing sun and we felt lousy that night, so we didn`t want to make the same mistake again as we had plans for later. So we walked out of the Studios where I saw this...........my nightmare man.......
Everyone thinks it`s hilarious an imaginary man from a film made in 1978 could scare me so much.......but he does. Tom took this picture as I wouldn`t even look at it........I was so looking forward to finally doing HHN but I did have this nagging doubt that I would be too scared to go in the house. I would worry about that next week
Coming up.......not quite the birthday meal I planned and some more surprises
Don` t blame him mind you.......finally I got him. I amuse easily.
Eh no.........not ok I tell her....we are 3 adults and want a bed each........I point to some beds that are just round a bit......then she proceeds to tell me they want to see the movie.........I`m about to stop being so polite when her husband walks off and gets some other beds.....he looks kinda apologetically at us. I was amazed at the rudeness of her......the ironic thing was they all spent the rest of the night in the pool.....lol........
LOL
. I agree with the others, you got a great price from the dentist for that service. I can almost guarantee you that would have cost way more if done by MY local dentist 
. Heck, a regular cleaning here on "perfect teeth" is $165 alone.
. Oh. My. Goodness.
. Those pancakes look delish, so we may have to give it a try on this next trip.
It is cheap as chips and food is so good......the pancakes are lush.....next part coming up......I hope 
. The cheesecake factory & ihop are great haunts for him.
Tom was relieved I wasn't getting them after he found out the cost 
