London and "once a week there are no calories"

I'm currently perched on the Victoria Memorial out front of Buckingham Palace waiting for the changing of the guards (with my mom alternating between humming British songs and saying that no one should yell, they'll scare the horses). The sun is finally peeking through a little bit which will hopefully help me stop shivering (otherwise I'm going to need to buy some leggings and a sweater). Despite the "grey start" as they call it here apparently, I was able to go for a refreshing 5 and 1/4 mile run this a.m. It was my first run in about 1 week and much needed. I only intended to run 4 miles but getting lost for a bit added some distance.

After a delayed flight and a temporarily misplaced/lost backpack, I made it to London yesterday morning and found my parents waiting on a corner for me near our hotel. Can I just take a moment to state my relief to have my own bathroom where no nasty strange coughing guests are soaking everything in sight, including the toilet paper, and stinking everything up? So stated.

We all agreed (which is sometimes rare) that we needed to eat and made our way to a "proper hamburger" spot (that's what the restaurant calls it, not me) and had incredibly proper hamburgers. Mine had chedder and bacon and a special sauce with a side of french fries and courgette (zucchini) fries. Oh, and some green olives. I'm not much of a burger person but this really truly hit the spot.

We made our way to the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge and the London Bridge and etc. My sad initial comment to London is wtf is up with your skyline? After Spain, Paris, Prague and Rome London's mish-mosh of buildings is really not doing much for me. The Tower of London was way too commercial and kid oriented (note the "in case of attack sign above"). They do have some Dr. Seuss looking trees that I enjoyed.

Next was Trafalgar (sp?) Square and Piccadilly Circus to see the crowds and the mini-Times Square and then on to get a small dinner. We had that small dinner...salads and goat cheese and a sandwich for dad. And then dessert. We wanted to split a sundae between the 3 of us. Our waiter decided that was absurd and we each needed our own. We protested. He insisted and told us "once a week there are no calories." So we gave in (he was so proud of his 3 sundaes, like an ice cream artist even).

Well, let's not forget I ate a whole pizza the other day. I think I may have used up my "no calorie" day...and that's why I ran 5 miles this morning.