Our first trip this year was to England. We spent a week in London first. We began our journey on the Eurostar - our first time through the Chunnel from Paris to London. There were extensive security checks by the British on the Paris side before boarding the 2.5 hour trip.
We just happened to walk past King's College and saw these quotes regarding Virginia Woolf.
Later that day, we went to a choral concert at St. Martin's in the Fields. It has interesting architectural touches.
Every night we passed many many pubs with loads of young professionals standing on the sidewalks drinking and smoking (no smoking inside). Here Barbara has a pint.
Here is the London Eye - a landmark.
Traveling up the Thames, we passed under the London Bridge.
Surprisingly there are a number of signature skyscrapers in London, unlike Paris. Below is the building known as The Shard.
Seeing the original Cutty Sark sailing vessel was quite intriguing. We saw it as we landed in Greenwich. Several exhibits inside were fascinating - seeing the quarters for the crew on very long journeys to obtain tea in the Orient. Below Barbara marvels at the size.
Then we were off to see the astrological museum and institute where Greenwich Mean Time is set.
Ron standing on the meridian that starts time at ground 0.
Gives time in a bottle new meaning.
Next was a visit to the British Museum. Most of the grand museums are free. We spent a day at the National Portrait Gallery which has very well displayed brief histories of the figures of British past. Below is the Rosetta Stone - not nearly as large as expected. Crowds all around it made taking a photo difficult.
One of the many Egyptian and Assyrian artifacts.
If you are not a foodie, you can skip the next 14 photos. They are all of the brunch at our hotel, Rosewood.
The fish table
Charcuterie table
Poultry table
Cheese table
Salad display -
Pastries
Breads
Choice of main course
Couscous sides
A honeycomb for fresh honey
Chocolate fountain for fruit dipping
Another afternoon was spent at the British Library. Ron and Barbara below with Sir Issac Newton. There are 35 statues in London with monologues by famous actors that can be heard on your smartphone. An entire afternoon at the Library was occupied by viewing at leisure the new exhibit on the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. We saw the original and studied the political history before and after its adoption. Did you know the Pope invalidated the Magna Carta shortly afterward claiming King John was forced against his will to sign and thereby invalidating it. However, his son the next king agreed to it after all with some modifications.
Seeing "The Merchant of Venice" at the Globe Theater was a thrill. We sat in actual seats in the gallery. The groundlings are the patrons who stand around the stage throughout over 3 hours,
even in the rain! It is chilly since there is no roof over the middle, and many people brought their dinner with them to eat during the performance, just as done 500 years ago.
Before we joined our tour group, we paid a visit to the Tower. The beefeaters are the guides. Most are former military men.
Building on Tower grounds where Anne Boleyn was housed until her execution a few yards away.
A wonderful military marching band happened to perform.
Then there was a ceremony to welcome a foreign ship to London. A keg is presented by the ship captain to the head of the British navy unit. Quite impressive and a long standing tradition.
