Hamleys: The perfect place for toys!

I'd like a new toy to play with, but I'm quite fussy: my new companion has to be, like Goldilocks' porridge, just right! So I've come to Hamleys on Regent Street in London, to check out their range.

Outside the store are staff demonstrating toys - can you see the bubble between the two downstrokes on the 'H' in the picture above? That came from a bubble machine! I'm looking for cuddly toys, though.

Wheehee! And here we go! There are multiple floors in this shop, but the soft toys are on the ground floor. On higher floors are mechanised toys, sweets, and even a section on Lord of the Rings, which is my favourite movie.

Here I am trying to blend in with some Hello Kitty toys. They're wearing costumes based on the guards outside Buckingham Palace. The shop is very crowded, with children, parents and more staff demonstrating toys - be very careful not to get bumped!

I thought the Hello Kitty toys looked very imposing and guard-like, until I found this bear! Luckily, he was friendly and let me sit on his shoulder.

Bears do seem to be quite friendly in this store, don't they? This bear is £200! I like her but I'm not sure I could take her home with me - would she need a separate ticket on the train?

There is quite a big price range in Hamleys. Some are pocket money toys, selling at around £10 and under, whereas others are probably for collectors. The lady bear behind me, wearing a crown, is £140, so I don't think that a child or elfling would be allowed to play with her.

Oh, I found one! Please can I have this sheep? Pretty please?

Can you spot me? I'm hiding among all these toys - they're my size as well. I can't find any elves though. I did ask the hamster below me but she didn't say anything. Maybe she's shy.

Well, that's my visit to Hamleys for now! I'm going to have a nap now, because shopping for toys can be quite exhausting!

Best,

Elf Dryadalis

p.s. if you're wondering about the sheep, she came home with me! I'm going to call her Minty, and hope she'll make a guest appearance on my blog soon.

Buckingham Palace

Haha! In this picture it looks like I'm bigger than the entire Palace! Actually, I'm only a small elf - it only looks like this because I came from St James's Park, and from this viewpoint I can see the whole building.

Since 1837 it's been the official residence of the monarch, and it's therefore famous as being where the Queen lives.

I know the Queen's in today because the Union Jack is fluttering high. If it's down, it means the Queens visiting one of her other castles. I wonder if the Queen can see me?

I've just pressed the button, so I can cross to get a better look. The railings behind me are used when everyone's here in an excited crowd. I think they look like giant climbing frames for elves.

These are high arches around the Palace. They're painted gold, and it makes them look very regal.

And here I am outside the main gates to Buckingham Palace! It's not possible to go inside (although sometimes, when the Queen is away, people are allowed to pay some money and look inside at the State Rooms.

He looks very fierce, doesn't he? This soldier is standing outside Buckingham Palace to guard the Royal Family - there are several of them and they stand still for hours, even though it's really hot, and they're wearing long-sleeved uniforms and those great big helmets!

When they change positions (so they can get a bit of rest), it's called the Changing of the Guard, and it's very popular, so lots of people watch them.

Luckily for me, though, I don't have to stand still for so long! So I could look at this golden statue, which is part of The Queen Victoria Memorial. It's right outside Buckingham Palace, and it flashes in the sunlight so everyone can see it.

Eww. This was smelly. It wasn't by me, honest! I'm a very well trained elf.

There are lots of horses in London. Sometimes the police ride horses around London, so maybe one of their horses saw the golden statue and pooped in surprise!

I'll see you later (I need to find some perfume),

E. D.

St James's Park: Sunshine and flowers

Mmm. I love the feel of the sun on my skin!

Lots of people were thinking the same thing; there were loads of families and couples laying on the grass and soaking up the rays. Since the park is so big, though, there was room for everyone, including me!

I bet you can't find me! I'm hiding in the long grass.

There are many public walkways through the park, and this fence I'm climbing on (it's okay, it was very low so I was quite safe) separates off the area reserved for wildlife.

Some people were feeding the ducks and squirrels; I'll write more about them later!

I'm now going to walk across the bridge.

There's a little lake in the middle of the park, and a sky-blue bridge crosses it. Can you see in the background? Just to the side of me is my first glimpse of Buckingham Palace! There are so many trees that it looks like the Palace has been framed by them.

And opposite is a view of the London Eye! I tried waving at the people in the capsules but I wasn't sure if they could see me.

Phew. A well-earned rest, I think. There are quite a few benches throughout the park, so I could take a leisurely stroll without fearing I'd tire myself out.

Well rested now, I'm trying to fit my hand inside this pink foxglove. Summer in London means the flowers are looking beautiful, and there are many flowerbeds in St James's Park.

There are even some blue ones too, which are taller than me!

Whilst I gather my notes on the wildlife, I'll sign off for now.

E. D.