As it was very late yesterday, we’re starting the day a little later today. Gabi wants to pop into the newly opened Sephora shop in our shopping centre, for which people were queuing for hours (and criss-crossing the centre) the day before yesterday. This is only the second branch of the cosmetics chain in the whole of England; the first one only opened a few weeks ago in the other Westfield shopping centre. And people are going crazy for it! Of course, we’ve already experienced this ourselves: when Gabi was still writing her Beautyblog.ch, we were invited to the opening of the Sephora department in Manor Basel. But of course that’s no comparison to this huge shop here. The amount of products and staff is simply amazing. Gabi buys a few things that aren’t available in Switzerland.

For lunch, Gabi tries the chicken strips from Thunderbird Fried Chicken, while I finally treat myself to a Five Guys hamburger – “all the way”, i.e. with a fixed list of things that go in. And, as always, with far too many fries.

But now it’s time to set off to get to Kew Gardens in time for our time slot. A few days ago, the “Christmas at Kew” light show opened in the Royal Botanic Gardens and we don’t want to miss it. Clare, Sheridan and Amy are also coming along. And the Christmas spectacle is truly wonderful. Many different installations await visitors young and old along the predetermined path criss-crossing Kew Gardens and past the greenhouses. We find John Lewis’ venus flytrap here too, but there really is no more suitable place than a botanical garden for it. And there are not only many fine food stalls and a small luna park, but also a Father Christmas who tells jokes.

After a hot chocolate with marshmallows and waffles bytes to share, it’s time to say goodbye to Clare, Sheridan and Amy. And to the UK. We’re travelling back home tomorrow. We are definitely looking forward to hopefully seeing everyone again soon.