Out and about one evening...

 On Sunday evening we walked down Oxford Street near closing time.

And yes, this is how I mostly looked like, pointing my camera everywhere  :)

 

*photo courtesy of Saara

We ended up taking the tube to the Embankment.

Originally we had planned on getting on the London Eye on Tuesday, but as the weather was so nice and we were right there on the other side of the river...

 ...up we went.

 The arch way back in the horizon is the Wembley Stadium.

True randomness:

Mom, take a photo of me holding the tower up!"

Keep an eye on the man walking by...

 High five!

 In my opinion, you should do at least one cheesy touristy thing each trip :)

Even if that means getting stuck in a see-through pod for 32minutes with loud Spaniards..

And even though your feet ache at the end of the day, walking around is by far my favorite way of getting lost...

Behind the magic -part 3

So what did impress me the most?

What the graphics department did.

You can read every word in that newspaper and it makes (magical) sense.

Really it could have been gibberish, you wouldn't be able to make sense of it on the big screen as it flashes by.

Every minute detail is there!

I'm a sucker for doubledecker buses, so a tripledecker is right up my alley!

Diagon Alley....

Yes, I walked down Diagon Alley!

The art department left me speechless.

The Burrow was another favorite. 

Would someone build me one, please?

I'll take it in 1:12 scale  ;)

The very last room houses the pearl of the tour, the Hogwarts Castle in 1:24 scale.

I have more photos behind this link.

If you've enjoyed the books and the films (admittedly, some more than others) and you just happen to be in the London area.. this is worth sitting 20 minutes on a train for.
Just sayin'...

Behind the magic -part 2

 Buckbeak's unfortunate friend....

 The boys' dormitory.

One of the beautiful details I never noticed.

 As well as the crocheted blanket on Ron's bed.

*grin*

 Wands, wands, wands!

The radio in the Gryffindor common room.

 Seats in the fireplace!

My favorite set: Dumbledore's office.

 A fun detail of the portraits:

a lot of the production people were painted on them.

The place is huge.

They recommend allowing three hours for the visit.

About right for me.
As I didn't wait in the 45 minute line to have a photo of me flying on a broom taken  :P

Hedwig's actors.

 Mismatched plates at the Weasley house.

Would they eat Cheerios in the magic world?

No, no, no...

The box is a hint to what I think is the most impressive part of the films.

More on that tomorrow!