How Time Flies

Today is Monday. My second to last full day in London! Last Monday began my hurried scramble to see everything I have wanted to, but not had the opportunity to visit in London. Sunday I met up with the girls for a picnic in Regent's Park. From there, we headed to 221b Baker Street to the infamous Sherlock Holmes residence. I am not sure it was worth my £6, but considering its three block proximity to my house, it was something I needed to do before leaving London. We wrapped up the day with a visit to Abbey Road, where we upset traffic with recreating the iconic pose of The Beatles crossing the street. I spent last Monday at the Tate Britain. It is an impressive museum that houses centuries worth of art. My favorite piece was a painting of Queen Elizabeth I from around 1575. I find anything concerning the Tudors to be mesmerizing and fascinating.

On Tuesday, Amy and I visited the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, which was epic. I loved the first hand video accounts from the employees who manned the British government from underground. I could imagine how stale the air must have been with a constant bloom of cigarette smoke. In the Churchill Museum, I learned many new tidbits about Churchill’s life that I was previously unaware. For example, that his mother was American or that his opposition to India’s independence almost cost him his political career. In the afternoon, we headed for the Wallace Collection. The Wallace Collection is a smallish assorted gallery that was collected over several generations by a single family. This included everything from eighteenth century paintings to antique armor and weaponry to Victorian furniture. I really enjoyed the fireplaces in each room, along with various clocks from grandfathers to mantel clocks.

Wednesday was reserved for Oxford with Amy, Bri and Mary. The town itself is very cute. Our first attempted stop was the Christ Church part of the university. However, unfortunately we were unable to visit due to a visit from a more important American, Michelle Obama. Instead, we wandered around the town and through the covered market. We had lunch the famous Turf Tavern, apparently famous for its “education in intoxication.” In the afternoon we went through the Magdalen College area of Oxford University. The grounds are beautiful with lovely old buildings. The grass was gorgeous and inviting, but the sign that reads, “Keep off,” maintains its pristine beauty. Next, we rented a punt to float around on the small river Cherwell (more of a canal). Punts are these flat bottom boats that the closest thing I can compare them to are the gondolas of Venice. They were a highlight of the day.

Thursday I hibernated to avoid the off and on monsoons of the day with the occasional thunder and lightening. I spent Friday at Kew Gardens, which is a massive botanical garden on the outskirts of London. Everywhere is something beautiful whether it is evergreen trees or blooming seasonal flowers. I had five favorite areas inside the garden. First was the Princess of Wales Conservatory, where I experienced multiple controlled climate zones from the humid rain forest to the arid desert. Next was the Palm House, which is only a tropical rainforest environment. The last greenhouse was the Temperature House, which is apparently home to the world’s tallest indoor plant and the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. I loved the Xstrata Treetop Walkway where I walked along a bridge that was constructed eighteen meters into the air so you are able to walk among the treetops. My last highlight was the Japanese Garden. It was gorgeous and from what my untrained eye can discern it is authentic to ancient Japanese architecture and garden styles.

Friday was Mary’s last night, so we went to see Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare’s Globe. They play itself was well done and entertaining, but the true focus of our attendance was based on the actor who played Leonato, Joseph Marcell. All four of us grew up watching the television show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Joseph Marcell played the English butler, Geoffrey on the show! The following evening was Bri’s last night so we went to a local pub, the Gunmakers. It was an interesting evening based on the company we acquired of a group of blokes from Manchester who had come to London to watch the game of Manchester United versus Barcelona. British culture at its finest!