Muggles In Search Of Harry Potter

Christina at Platform 9 3/4.
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Today we went to discover all the places in London that were used in the Harry Potter movies. First up was Platform 9 3/4. In all the films, this is the magical platform leading to the train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In order to reach it, the characters  must run into the wall to activate the portal. Platform 9 3/4 was filmed at Kings Cross Station. They have even put up a sign marking this fictional platform. I told Christina that if she ran hard enough and really believed in magic, the portal would work for her. She didn't believe me. I really just wanted to see her run into a brick wall. Damn her smarts! We also walked over to see the exact column that Harry ran into. Unfortunately, it was blocked by trash bins, so I couldn't even give a second try to convincing Christina to see if the portal would work.

Fountain at Trafalgar Square.
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We left King's Cross and began to walk towards the London Zoo. In the first movie, Harry speaks to a snake in The Reptile House. Almost as soon as we got out of the station it started raining. It looked as though it may become another "laundry day." We turned and headed back to the station, deciding to scrap the zoo (we weren't going in anyway) and go to Charing Cross Road instead. In the movies (and books), the shops where Harry gets his school supplies is on a street called Diagon Alley, and Diagon Alley is supposed to have been filmed on Charing Cross Road. We wandered around the area for nearly an hour, but we were unable to find the exact location, or even notice a resemblence. While we were looking for Diagon Alley though, we did end up in Trafalgar Square. By this time, the rain began to clear up and the Square, with its fountains and statues, looked quite nice. Beyong Trafalgar Square, we could see Big Ben. That was our next stop. Once we had given up on Charing Cross, we caught a train to Waterloo, the station near The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and most importantly, The London Eye. Everyone I know who has been on it has insisted I cannot miss out on the spectacular view. Opening in 2000, the London Eye has become one of London's most popular attractions. It is a ferris wheel-like ride, but moves much more slowly allowing you to enjoy the 25 mile panaramic view at a top height of 135 meters (that's over 440 feet!) While I took in the 30 minute ride and the amazing views, Christina decided to walk around the surrounding river bank and check out the view of Big Ben and some Salvador Dali statues. During her stroll she was also able to enjoy some bagpipe music being played nearby by a street musician. While she was waiting she was also witness to a boy tripping and subsequently landing head first into a sign. She appreciated the entertainment.

Two gorgeous girls modeling in front of the fountain at Trafalgar Square.
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After we met back up, we walked across the Thames River towards the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. We took some quick photos, but it was getting increasingly chilly outside and after a few minutes, left for the hotel. While we were on the tube, we were looking at all the poles and it occured to us that the subway carriage is the ideal place to practice pole dancing. We were able to get in a few moves before we reached our Notting Hill destination. We got some food at Marks & Spencers on the way home. Not long after our dinner of cheese souffles and carrots and dessert of assorted biscuits, we went to bed. Tomorrow is our last day in London, and we're still not sure what we're going to do with it.

The London Eye looming above me.
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Miss you all!

Jess and Chris