London Trip Report...But a bit different.. :)

The places I visited:

Millenium Bridge: (or as all the kids kept saying... The Harry Potter Bridge!). Seriously beautiful bridge. The views down the Thames are amazing. Worth a stop at sunrise/sunset. Such a wonderful and relaxing place to view London.

Borough Market: London has a lot of wonderful markets, But the food at this one was my favorite! So many amazing options. Be sure to stop at Monmouth Coffee Company...the best flat white I've ever had...I will go back to London just to get that flat white!

Tate Modern: The Tate has a wonderful collection of modern art, but what really struck me was how cool the building was. It's housed in the old Bankside Power Station. Be sure to check out the balcony on the upper levels for an amazing view of St Pauls.

Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: My favorite of the various London parks. Wonderful long paths and beautiful scenery, lakes, and a zoo. But on the North end is Primrose Hill. Walk to the top, you won't be disappointed. Another wonderful view of London.

Camden: Nearby Regent's Park is, Camden. A more grungy/punk/hip area with a really cool Market. Check out the Mei Leaf Tea House. One of the best Tea's I've ever had. They have a huge selection...you can't go wrong. Camden is a nice bit of crazy in a fun way.

Notting Hill, Portobello Market: This Market seems to go on forever! Which is really fun. It's a huge mix or random touristy type things and really unique crafts work. It takes over all of Portobello Road. So just start at Notting Hill Gate and walk it all the way to Ladbroke Grove Station. There will be lots of people! So Fun!

Piccadilly Circus: Crazy Giant screens and fun people watching. It's really central to a lot of fun shopping and dining options. Check out Soho and Chinatown nearby. I recommend Princi, it's a pizza/bakery place in Soho, a great place to have a little wine and some good food. Casual, but fun atmosphere.

Carnaby Street: Fun Shopping street near the much larger Oxford street shopping. Go visit Pylones, it has some great little things to bring back as gifts. Really cute stuff.

Covent Garden: Touristy, but a really fun part of London. It's a large mix of shopping and eateries. They often have street performers that are just amazing. The opera singers fill up the whole place in a magical kind of way. A must stop for trips to London.

Tower Bridge: Not London Bridge.... Tower bridge is always worth a stop. It is such an icon of the city, it's almost hard to feel like you are in London until you see it on the horizon.

That's our trip! Happy to be joining in the forum!

-Matt

Very cute! It makes me want to be there right now. :)

So fun, thank you!

Thank you, it put me a good mood to fight a crappy day ahead at work.

Coddi is cute. Very good job with the video and a fun take on a trip report.

You are REALLY good at this stuff (filming, cinematography, editing, digital animation, etc.). I enjoyed watching this video. :o)

Loved it! Great shots and loved how the animated character and music set the overall theme of wonder and appreciation.

Love it! You did an amazing job!

Great video! Makes me want to hop on a flight today.
Thank you!

I loved your video trip report. The Coddiwompler was a cutie and really added to the experience.

As some have asked, I am providing a one-time exception to our approach regarding videos in our Trip Reports section, and that's partially because of his report on the locations provided. Thanks for your take on these sights.

Great video/report! I look forward to the next instalment.

Thank you so much, everybody, for all the wonderful comments! :)

Teresa: Thank you! I wish I was back there right now too! :)

Sharon: no, Thank YOU for watching!

Barbara: Awe. I hope your work day goes better than you expect!

Girasole: Thank you so much, It was a lot of fun to make. :)

Adrienne: Thank you! I kind of combined all my passions into one. I am really glad you enjoyed it!

Deb K: Thank you so much, I was trying to capture my own wonder and excitement of the city. It's such a cool place!

Cathy: Thanks!! It was super fun to make. :)

Carole: Thank you! I would also love to jump on a flight back today!!

Laurie Beth: Thank you so much! It's been really fun having him explore the city. Just a happy little traveler! :)

Nick: Thank you so much! New trip is coming soon...It will feature a lot of bikes and canals! :)

Webmaster: Sorry I misunderstood that you couldn't have videos in your trip reports! Thank you for making an exception. I'm a visual artist, so it's hard for me to not make a trip report a visual thing! :) Thanks again!

Awww....he's adorable! This was so much fun to watch. You are a most creative and talented person. I know this was fun for you to put together but I bet not as much fun as I had watching it! Thank you so much for the smiley afternoon treat!

So...when is Coddi's next trip ;)

Oh my gosh that is wonderful! I enjoyed seeing your trip through Coddi's point of view! Can't wait to see where s/he goes next!

Compliments!!

It's interesting that both the London and the San Francisco videos feature a lot of birds, dogs, and mass transit.
Is that because Coddi is not used to those things normally, or because those are what he focuses on everywhere he goes?

andi: Thank you so much for the kind words! It really was a lot of fun...and it certainly feels good to have people enjoy it as much as I had creating it. Thanks again!

Girasole: Hopefully soon! It does take a fair amount of time to get him on his travels...but there are several in the works at the moment!

CWsocial: Thank you so much! He'll be on a new adventure soon...he can't go too long without traveling!

avirosemail: He feels close to Dogs and Birds because they are adventurers like him. Always willing to check out new things and follow scents to amazing food. :) The mass transit is the best place to people watch, another pastime of the Coddiwompler. :) Thank you so much for watching!

Love this!! So creative!! 😊

kristen: Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. :)

Definitely a thumbs up! Will the webbie allow you to post a new travel video?

Girasole:
Well, unfortunately (and it's on me for not fully understanding), postings like this are discouraged. It was certainly not my intention to break the rules, as I just was looking for a fun way to share my travels. So to avoid these forums being inundated with ads for various promotions, it has to be a bit black and white. They have been very kind to leave this posting up though, and I'm glad I have been able to share this with all of you! :)

Matthew, your film is fantastic!! Loved it!!
Pixar needs you!

We have a travel group that meets once a month in Marin and we’d love you to join us. Every 2nd Saturday of the month (6/8 next mtg), Marin Brewing Co, in Larkspur, 12:00 noon. We eat lunch and have fun talking and sharing our travel experience. I post a mtg announcement on this forum a week ahead, let me know if/when you can make it so i can reserve a seat for you... : )

So fun Matthew! Thanks for sharing! I sent it along to my son and daughter-in-law who have just returned to the states after 3 years in London. They're missing it already!

Susan,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I spend many hours at Larkspur Landing letting my 2-year-old daughter run around the Playground Trees while holding those giant red balloons! Sounds fun, I'll keep an eye out for your postings! :)

CJS,

Awe, it's definitely a place that's missed when you leave. My wife worked there for a couple of years and she is always telling me how much she misses it. It's a unique place for sure! Thank you so much for watching!

Matthew, you know Larkspur Landing well! And you already know right where we are on the patio - lol! Come and join us, we’ll look for you... the guy holding the gigantic red balloon!

I was prepared to not like this, but it’s pretty great. Well done!

Thanks for leaving it up, Webmaster!

I read through the description, watched the video, then went back and read and watched again so I could identify the locations. So cute and the music provides a perfect accompaniment!

stoutfella,

Thank you so much for giving it a chance and happy to hear it won you over! :)

Travelmom,

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch it...twice! :) I always spend a lot of time picking the right music for these, and this just sounded like London to me. It matched the feel I get when I visit the city. Classical with a bit of Whimsy. Thanks again!

I love this! I wish it was longer :) We are going to London next week and I am even more excited!! I am going to show my kids this tonight. I also appreciate the suggestions for places to visit and reviews. Perfect! Do you know if the lights that you show in the nighttime scenes are year-round, or was it nearing the Holidays when you were there? It was so pretty.

FYI there is also a Pylones shop on Portobello Road so if one visits The Portobello Road Market it’s easy to stop in. If memory serves nearly directly across the road from the Electric Cinema. Fun shop.

@Ferrin I do think some of those image are Christmas lights from Covent Garden. Don’t despair London is lovely at night with many little Alley ways adorned with lights. Great city! Have a wonderful visit!

Thank you Claudia! I had a feeling it was Christmas lights. I am sure it will be lovely-and we are staying near Covent Garden :)

ferrin,

Thank you so much! Hope your kids enjoy it! This was shot back in late November, so it was in full Holiday mode, but London is pretty spectacular at night any time of the year. (as Claudia says!) Convent Garden is such a fun area, you'll love it. :)

Claudia,

Cool, I didn't know that. There is one in Covent Garden as well. I always end up buying stuff from that store. :)

We took the canal to Camden Locks last time we were in London. Such great fun. Thanks for the trip video.

Nancy,

I love that area, I use to run every morning along the canal from Camden to Regent Park. It's such a peaceful area surrounded by a bustling city. Thanks so much for watching. :)