London: Tea at the Ritz & a Blueberry Scone Recipe

#LibkaGirlsTakeEurope | Part 2 – London Bound!

After meeting Kristen in New York, we boarded a Virgin Atlantic night flight for London. If we were going to have to sleep somewhere en route to the city of Shakespeare, we had decided to do it on a plane. We considered it a “cracking” (excellent) way to multitask. After all, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” (The Tempest)

Night Flight. Airplane And Moon Glass Christmas Ornaments
Featured: Airplane (1215294); Moon (1179401)

LONDON | We’ve Arrived!

We awoke with the Londoners that morning and made our way to the Holiday Inn Express London – Southwark. Indeed our plan was to drop off our bags and begin sightseeing. But the front desk staff started our day on an even better note by inviting us to have breakfast in the dining area while they prepared our room for an early check in! A short time later with stomachs full and bags settled in our rooms, we “bimbled” (leisurely walked) to a nearby Tube station and headed for Westminster and the Thames River.

Double Decker Red Bus With London Landmarks And Big Ben Glass Christmas Ornaments.
Featured: London Cityscape (1180274); Big Ben (1164843) – Shop London-Themed Items.

Big Ben On The Thames River, London, England.

An itinerant bagpiper played for gratuities on Westminster Bridge. We’ve come across our share of street musicians, and this kilted piper was one of the better ones. On the other side of the bridge across several lanes of traffic, a bride and groom posed for wedding pictures. It was a festive morning to arrive in London!

Highland Santa Old World Christmas Ornament And Tartan Plaid Bagpipes. Bagpiper On The Thames In London.
Featured: Highland Santa (1132209); Bagpipe Plaid (1193172)

London’s Landmarks

Westminster Abbey

The line was short outside Westminster Abbey, undoubtedly one of the benefits of winter travel, so we soon found ourselves inside. The Abbey breathes more than a thousand years of history and worship, and has served as England’s coronation church since 1066. As a matter of fact, it is the final resting place of 17 monarchs; 3,300 people are commemorated or buried here. Because it is a place of daily worship, photography is not allowed except in the Chapter House, cloisters and college garden. (Anglican for several centuries and today, the Abbey was originally the home of Benedictine monks.) Additionally, we were able to attend an afternoon worship service during our visit.

Westminster Abbey, London, England. #LibkaGirlsTakeEurope

So you or your “sprog” (child) want to get married at Westminster Abbey? So sorry – only the Royal Family and family members of Knights of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath may get married at Westminster Abbey.

Famous Red Phone Booths

Indeed, we saw these iconic red phone booths (red telephone boxes) throughout the city. Some are even being spruced up and re-purposed – think mini cafe, lending library, charging station, etc.

Iconic Red Phone Box In London England
Featured: Red Telephone Booth (1186300)

London’s Globe Theater

Our next stop was the Globe Theatre. As a matter of fact, we happened to see students from an American university participating in an acting class as part of their study-abroad experience. Because my major in college was theater and interpretation, I wanted to be sure to experience the Globe and enjoy a couple of plays while we were in London!

London's Globe Theatre ; Drama Masks Glass Ornament

Putting On The Ritz

Dinner that first evening in London was tea in Palm Court at The Ritz! Live music, too. (Beamer the Bronner Star™ joined us.) The finely cut sandwiches, scones and fresh pastries were “scrummy” (truly delicious).

A Spot Of Tea At The Ritz Hotel In London, England.

Tea, anyone?

Rose Teapot Glass Christmas Ornament With Vintage Teacup
Featured: Teapot (1185485)

Cant’ wait ’til that trip to London for a tea treat? Try our Blueberry Scones recipe from “Bronner’s Flavorful Favorites” staff cookbook with your next spot of tea!

BLUEBERRY SCONES

Blueberry Scones

Rhonda Gardner
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1/4 Cup Sugar + 2 Tbl.
  • 1 Tbl. Baking Powder
  • 1/2 Tsp. Salt
  • 1 Cup Blueberries
  • 1 1/2 Cups Whipping Cream
  • 3 Tbl. Unsalted Butter Melted
  • Powdered Sugar

Instructions
 

  • Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • Add blueberries and whipping cream; stirring gently. 
  • Turn onto a floured surface and knead gently.
  • Form into a flat ball, 10 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick.
  • Cut into 12 wedges.
  • Place on large baking sheet.
  • Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • Bake at 425° until lightly brown, approximately 25 minutes.

2 Blueberry Scones From Bronner's Flavorful Favorites Cookbook With A Cup Of Tea.


LONDON | Day 2

Tower Of London

London day two opened at the Tower of London, officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. This historic castle is located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. Grand palace, royal residence, prison, armory, Royal Mint, and now home to the Crown Jewels, the Tower has certainly played varied, important roles in England’s history.

Beamer The Bronner's Star Travels To The Tower Of London.
Beamer the Bronner Star™ joined us as we toured the Tower of London.
Knight In Shining Armor Glass Ornaments
Featured L to R: Knight (1163233); Grey Castle (1159030); Knight (1148159)

The Crown Jewels, located in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, are under close watch of the Royal Guard.

Camden Market

It was time to “chivy along” (hurry up) to Camden Market in North London. This eclectic market mix of fashion, crafts, people and food from all over the world undoubtedly brings a modern flower-child vibe to the area. The market hub fills reclaimed manufacturing buildings along Camden Lock (part of Regent’s Canal) that were largely deserted and in disrepair by the 1960s. As a result, the rebirth of the area since the early 1970s has brought a “smashing” (brilliant, wonderful) new vibrancy to Camden Town.

We couldn’t go to London and not eat fish and chips! “Cheers” (thank you) to Poppie’s Fish & Chips in Camden for a tasty time!Famous Poppies Fish And Chips At Camden Market In London England

Theatre Royal Haymarket

Friday and Saturday evenings found us at the Theatre Royal Haymarket for Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Much Ado About Nothing.” Certainly there is no lack of great theater in London!

William Shakespeare At Theatre Royal In London, England
Featured: Theater Gives Life Drama (1213548)

London Royal Guard, Running Horse And Buckingham Palace Glass Christmas Ornaments From Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
Featured: Buckingham Palace (1179987); Horse Trotting (1133125); Royal Guard ()

Royal Landmarks In London

Saturday morning we visited the grounds of Buckingham Palace and watched a sweet couple feed the doves. On our way to Kensington Palace, we were “chuffed” (very pleased) to pass by Wellington Arch just as the mounted guard passed through!
Mounted Guard And Buckingham Palace, London England

Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in 1819 and lived there until she ascended to the throne at the age of 18 when she moved to Buckingham Palace. We toured the “Victoria Revealed” display as well as the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments (Queen Mary II and King William III who ruled in the 17th century) and the Sunken Garden.

After that, our next stop was the National Gallery of art where we viewed favorites like Claude Monet’s “Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies.”London's Kensington Palace, National Art Gallery And Sunken Garden

Farewell London!

Fortnum & Mason Box Of MacaroonsKristen decided we shouldn’t leave London without a travel treat, so she picked up a box of colorful and delicious macaroons at Fortnum & Mason, an upmarket department store in Piccadilly.

So with a heart full of memories and our bags packed up, we said “Cheerio!” (friendly way of saying goodbye) to London!

Exclusive Union Jack Flag Of The United Kingdom Ornament, And England Suitcase With Big Ben Glass Ornament From Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
Featured: Great Britain Flag (1095165); England Suitcase (1193719)

Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss the next stop on our journey – Budapest! – or any of our other posts!

*All travel photos in this post were used with permission from Lori Libka & Kristen Dang.

6 thoughts on “London: Tea at the Ritz & a Blueberry Scone Recipe

  • June 7, 2017 at 8:53 pm
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    Oh how I love London! Can’t wait to go back! Your blog reminded me of things to see next time I go! Thank you! You’re a very talented writer!

    Reply
    • June 8, 2017 at 2:54 pm
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      It’s always a pleasure to hear from you, Michaél! I hope you have the opportunity to visit London again soon – so much to see and do – and your son-in-law’s family is from England! We packed quite a bit into three days; I think we could have easily stayed two weeks and still have had plenty to do during yet another visit. What was your London favorite?

      Reply
  • May 1, 2017 at 6:48 pm
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    This was wonderful. Love the pictures and layout of the blog and of course all the informative text. Can’t wait until the next one.

    Reply
    • May 3, 2017 at 9:53 am
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      Thank you, Sue! So glad to hear you enjoyed our travel-themed blog post.!

      Reply
  • May 1, 2017 at 6:21 pm
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    Lori,
    This is absolutely amazing!
    Wally is in heaven beaming from ear to ear
    Are you getting brownie points or a good commission? Lol

    Reply

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