Say Yes to Adventure!

Hello!  I'm back home after our adventure to London.  I know looking at someone vacation photos can be boring so I'm going to try just hit a few highlights of the trip.  I decided before we even left that I wasn't going to live behind the camera, but really look at what was in front of me.  This trip was not planned out other than a tour booked to Highclere Castle as there was no public entry (if you just showed up).  Other than that, we wrote down about 6 places we would like to see or experience and just worked our way through list once we got there.
First up was Portobello Market.  Three words..."not for me".  WAY too many people and not my kind of antiques.

Once you walk far enough you get to the food section.  This part was fun just to see all the different items.

I bought a loaf of focaccia bread at this stall and it was fantastic for one thrown together late night supper.

Can you say Olives?

Beautiful flowers...

From Portobello we rode the tube into the city to go to the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) which is a decorative arts museum.

We have been there before so this time we took a guided tour of one specific section of the museum.  Nice when the tour is free and the guide is knowledgeable.  My favorite image from this visit was found in a library tucked away in an upstairs room that had a HUGE wall of books (like 12' x 50' of books).

Sunday was Easter so we attended a service at St Paul's Cathedral which was very nice.

Monday the weather was a bit blustery so we decided it was a good day for the National Gallery.  The National Gallery sits at Trafalgar Square so lots and lots of people were hanging out (in the cold).

Many, many beautiful painting in the National Gallery.  I got to see the Vemeer (small and beautiful in person) and a Rembrandt (absolutely stunning), van Gogh's Sunflowers (not a fan).  But I have to say this more contemporary Klimt painting "Portrait of Hermine Gallia" (1904) stole my heart.  The detail of the white dress was beautiful, with just touches of pink on her belt and cheeks.  You can see a much better photo of the painting here to see how detailed the background is.

 A short stop for dinner at an Italian restaurant.

And then we were off to see Beautiful.  My first time seeing this show and I'd see it again.  So many songs you just want to sing along to!

Tuesday was the booked tour that started at 8:00 in the morning. Ouch!  We started in the city of Oxford.  We walked to Christchurch College and paid an entrance fee to wander around.

 This ceiling walking up to the dining hall was a favorite.

 Can you tell the dining hall was used as inspiration for Harry Potter?

Then you get to the Cathedral and you see yet another spectacular ceiling.  This is one I had read about and was really our purpose for paying the entrance fee to the collage.

I've never see one that connects to make "stars". 

Walking back to the bus we passed this shop window.   I mentioned to Jay that for US audiences (especially West Coast) that read Harry Potter, it was different world with very old buildings and great dining halls, old paintings and going to a store to buy school robes.  But the fact is, JK Rowling didn't have to go far to find fodder for her books - apparently just to Oxford.

Back on the bus to the little town of Bampton - the church that was used in Downton Abby.

And then off to Highclere Castle. 

Unfortunately Carson was not at the door to greet me.

Wednesday we visited Westminster Abby, the Churchill War Rooms (much cooler than it sounds) and a quick visit to the National Portrait Gallery to see Russia and the Arts exhibit.  You can see some of the portraits here.  This is a small exhibit but worthwhile - the portraits are wonderful and since I am not planning to travel to Moscow, I thought I better see them here).

Thursday we took the train out to Hampton Court to see Henry VIII's place.  There was so much to see that we ended up staying all day...and we didn't even make it to the maze which I heard was very cool.

 We did stop for a scone for lunch...a must have with jam and cream.

On Friday, we met up with Emma Williams - someone I have worked with and emailed so many times.  Nice to meet such a nice lady in person.  Last year I got to meet the lovely Brenda Brown and this year Emma.  I guess I have to keep going back to London to meet people...but then there's Kath and Rita in Scotland...I better start planning, lol.
We finished the day with a visit to Kensington Palace and another play, Wicked.

Saturday, our last day...at 11pm the night before we decided to get up in the morning and take the high speed train to Canterbury to see the cathedral.  Little secret, I LOVE riding the high speed train!
Canterbury was so picturesque.  You could actually take a boat ride down the canal.  I think that would have been fun!

  The cathedral did not disappoint.

I believe they have 3 guided tours a day.  We were able to take one with only 10 other people.  The cost of the 1 1/2 hour tour? 5 pounds ($7.50 US)  An absolute bargain for a personal guide that was so very knowledgeable about the cathedral.  Definitely the best 5 pounds we spent in all of England.

So I'm ending this post with the hot coco from our last breakfast.  A cute little cafe across the street from our flat.  I wish we had discovered this spot sooner.  The secret...they mix Nutella into the chocolate.

What a great get away!  I feel like I learned so much about history yet we only scratched the surface.
now carry on,
paula