Message from Kim via Bev

The phone rang bright and early this morning--around 7:10 Sault Ste. Marie time. I was surprised to hear Kim's voice on the other end and then a little concerned as I wondered what would prompt a call so early in the day. They were en route to Ireland via ferry and were in VERY rough seas--SO rough, in fact that they were ALL in need of Gravol but, unfortunately, were not permitted to return to their car to get to their supply. They were somewhat nervous as one of the songs that was playing on the loudspeaker was the theme from the movie "Titanic" ("My Heart Will Go On"). Later on, they heard "I Will Go Down with the Ship". I think Mom was starting to feel that the end was near as SHE began singing "Nearer My God to Thee"! Despite the concern over the rocking and rolling of the ferry and the VERY high waves, they all seemed to be in good humour. I had a message on my phone about an hour later saying that they had arrived safely and would attempt to find an internet cafe in the next few days to update us all with regards to their travels in Ireland.

The Globe

Our final pedometer count for yesterday was 12.44 km...and my legs and feet and back confirm it!! Thank goodness today is spent driving!!
The Globe was a real experience - certainly not Stratford!! We were "herded" into the yard and an actor came out to provide an opportunity for some heckling!! The play was much bawdier than I recall with lots of interludes (musical and comedic) for the peasants!! The open air was wonderful but I kept getting jolted back to the present when a plane flew overhead!! Characters came through the yard and several times walked right past us - that was cool!! One "woman" in period costume kept wandering by - and "she" winked at me?"!!!
A wonderful walk across the Millenium Bridge with lovely views of St. Pauls and the Thames. We all slept well!

In Search of the Hogwarts Express

Where in the WORLD is Auntie Kim? Our kids were THRILLED to get a photo from her at Platform 9 3/4 and, as devout Harry Potter fans, are EXTREMELY envious of her! They wonder when she will be having tea with J. K. Rowling!

NOTE FROM AUNTIE KIM!!!! There's lots to see and do...and buy...here that I have decided to look for some supply teaching work!! I heard there was a position at Hogwart's - librarian!! Didn't have much luck getting my trolley through though!!

Final Day in London!

Lots to get crossed of the list today and man, did we fly!! We've walked 8.6 km so far and still have another excursion before the day is done!!
We started our day "tubing it" up to Notting Hill Gate - didn't see Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts though!!! Walked up Portobello Road to the market and picked up some food for lunch and to eat on our trip to Wales tomorrow.
On to King's Cross and a highlight for me - Harry Potter's trolley at Platform 9 3/4!! Dad is trying to get a photo out but has been having some technical difficulties. It will probably be the only photo of me you see for this entire trip so it's a special one!! The movies had been filmed there but the trolley doesn't seem to be a huge tourist attraction...YET!!!
Back to the hotel for some lunch and to drop off our items before our "audience" at Buckingham Palace! When I woke up this morning, I couldn't figure out why my neck was so stiff. I figured it out when we entered the first room. I have spent the past 5 days looking up much of the time! The ceilings are pieces of art all on their own!! So ornate and spectacular!
Buckingham Palace is another piece of history with many antiques and original artworks. The silk wall coverings made me just want to reach out and touch...but not allowed!!! In the ballroom, the chandeliers were spectacular!! Each one had 9000 pieces of lead crystal and 120 lights! I'd love to attend a party there!!!
These tourist places all have audio tours now and the palace one was quite well done. As we were ready to climb the main staircase, the most majestic music began to play in my ears!!! Despite my casual dress, I felt quite regal as I ascended!!! The music certainly added to the experience!!
The tour ended in the gardens and the gift shop!!! A few £ dropped there!! We wandered the pathway back off the estate - stopping for some "Buckingham Palace Ice Cream" along the way?!! The Queen is certainly doing all she can to make money for the upkeep of the palace!
It was overcast and quite brisk today so ice cream wasn't really something we were in need of but it was an experience to sit on a bench on the Queen's estate and eat "her" ice cream!!!
Back to the hotel for a bit of a rest before we head out to The Globe! I got tickets for The Merchant of Venice and we will be standing in the yard - where the peasants would have been!! Apparently people come and go at will so I'm hoping it won't be a late night.
We head out tomorrow morning to Heathrow to pick up our rental car then on to Wales for the night. I may be doing my first driving in Britain tomorrow - send up some prayers!!!

Photo

Yesterday's photo was a little number we saw while wandering yesterday. A Lotus - I'm hoping our rental car will be like this...only red!! "Just" £459 000...!!!

Sunday

In a city full of awe inspiring cathedrals and abbeys, it seemed fitting to attend services today. We had planned to start at St. Paul's but the service was just ending when we arrived. It was for the best though as the organist began to "practice" (not that he sounded like he needed it!!). After the noise and chaos that seems to be London, it was calming and restful to sit in that magnificent building listening to the music fill the space. Much better than listening to someone talk to me for an hour!!
Feeling revived and ready to face another day, we headed to the Churchill Museum and War Cabinet Rooms. Again, the history in those four walls was incredible. They have recreated some rooms while others are just as they were during those crucial times of the war. We could listen to Churchill's speeches and follow his life.
Up to Hyde Park and Speakers' Corner - what a change of pace THAT was!!! Some very "eccentric" characters ranting about this and that! Some religious zealots, a couple of socialists and a Muslim all expounding on their topic of choice. One man wore a sign saying "Now is the time. Listen to me. I know everything!" Sounds like a few people I know!!! We had a picnic lunch in Hyde Park and, for the first time, I had to put on a jacket - windy with a brisk breeze. But we were in London - how could I complain!!
We had taken cabs to our first two stops this morning but were feeling a bit braver and decided to tackle the Tube. It really isn't hard - provided one knows where one wants to go, which line goes there and what transfers need to be made!! I still prefer the luxury (and surprising economy) of those lovely little black cabs!!
We did make it up to Speakers' Corner then back down to Westminster to see the Parliament Buildings and Big Ben (still silent unfortunately but impressive all the same). We attended evensong at Westminster Abbey. After all the weddings and funerals I have watched on TV from there, it was quite moving to actually be in the space. Whatever your beliefs, it is a magnificent place to worship or just sit and reflect or regroup. We sat right beside the choir and had a marvelous view of the choirboys - so angelic and their voices so clear and pure! We were facing the south and an enormous stained glass "rose"window! To our right was the ornate and very gilded high altar. But the highlight for me (and Mom and Dad too, I think) was singing the hymns. To have your voice join that of the choir and be accompanied by the thundering organ - all stops out sends chills up and down your spine!!! It brought tears to my eyes! AND, I think my voice has never sounded better!! Truly an experience of a lifetime!!
We are back at the hotel to regroup before dinner.
Tomorrow morning is Portobello Market then a tour of Buckingham Palace. I would like to go back to Westminster for a tour - so much to see that couldn't be done today (not open to "tourists" on Sunday). We have tickets in the yard for The Merchant of Venice at the Globe tomorrow night and so ends our time in London! It's been a whirlwind and I'm looking forward to the countryside and Wales on Tuesday!!

WAY back in time!!!

It's been another long (over 300 miles travelled) but fascinating day! We started our tour at Salisbury Cathedral (800 years old). As we walked up to the cathedral, we could hear singing! Lovely! The choir was practicing and somehow the music sounded even better inside such a magnificent structure!! We were given 30 minutes to "do" the cathedral (this is why I don't like tours!!!). I could have spent 30 minutes on one exterior wall alone!! It felt so wrong to rush through but there just wasn't time to see it all and I really wanted to get to the Chapter House to see an original of the Magna Carta (and to the shop to buy a copy for school!!!). I have enjoyed Edward Rutherford's book "Sarum" so this brought the book to life for me. We drove past Old Sarum on our way to Stonehenge and saw several burial mounds.

Stonehenge is also unfortunately for the tourists. PEOPLE everywhere along with cars, buses and traffic up and down the neighbouring roads. I was glad to hear that this will change in the future. I managed to get "a few" shots without people and found spots where I could let the enormity of this feat truly sink in. I hope I don't offend anyone but I just don't get this tremendous need people seem to have to get their photos taken in front of these monuments?! I like the purity!

The drive from Stonehenge to Bath was gorgeous! Winding roads up and down through green or golden hills and fields and through quaint little villages with stone houses with thatched roofs! Truly British countryside, in my mind!!

I had initially booked the tour for the first two stops and Bath was a bonus. I was surprised by Bath and captivated. When I was a teenager, my grandmother (and Aunt Kate?) introduced me to an author who set many of her stories in Georgian bath. It is a wonderful city. So much interesting architecture and history!! We toured the Roman Baths and drank....Roman bath water?!!! I actually thought it tasted better than my own tap water at home!!! We'll see what effects it has on me!! My feet don't hurt tonight so maybe that is one!