Ok, what's been happening over the past couple of days since we've been back in London.
Yesterday was a very wet, windy bleak day although the morning looked ok. Of course I didn't wear my waterproof jacket. Mistake! Our first stop was Westminster Abbey but sadly it was closed to the publicdue to some ordination, and wasn't going to be opened until later in the day. The rain started to pick up and I was getting a smidge damp. We walked along South Bank with the few other poor sods who thought the weather wouldbe ok, although most people had the sense to wear jackets or had an umbrella.
Our first stop was The Tate, a very bleak looking gallery outside but colourful and bizarre inside. I have been to The Tatw before on my prior trip and didn't find it particularly interesting last time. Modern art, surrealism, cubism, weird sculptures, pictures a reception would do....to me, this is not art. Give me a Turner or a Gainsborough or a van Gogh even, now that is art for me! Anyway, it provided the opportunity to dry off a little and enjoy a hot drink before braving the wet conditions again.
Next stop - one of my favourite places in London, The Globe. We went on a tour and were lucky enough to sit in on a rehearsal for As You Like It. I liked it :) Then a look in the shop to pick up a few things (got a shirt for you Briggsy - white and black) and I succumbed and bought a poncho to keep the rain, or some of it anyway, off. It was very unattractive which didn't add to my charms, but anyway...when the wind caught hold of it, I almost took off like Dorothy in Oz. We stopped for lunch, and another chance to dry off.
Next stop, The Tower. Last time I was here, it was stinking hot, school holidays and a million tourists! Wet weather kept the numbers down so we managed to get a good look at most things, including the Crown jewels. A bit of a queue but not as bad as before.
After thw Tower, and drenched, we decided to head back to the apartment.
Today (Friday) we tried again to go to Westminster but the queue was long nd sister #1 didn't want to wait, so we decided to head to Hampton Court Palace. I had shared what I kneq from the website with the others the night before but didn't write it down, which is what I did when travelling by myself. The others said they weren't paying any attention when I was speaking, so, yeah ........ eventually decided Waterloo station was ths place to go, it was and got directly on the train which took us to Hampton Court.
It was brilliant and well worth spending the whole day. Cardinal Wolsey started building this extravagent palace before Henry VIII moved in in preparation for his wedding to Anne Boyleyn but she got her head lopped off so didn't get to enjoy it! Other kings and queens lived at different times at Hampton Court, adding bits and pieces on as they went. The rooms were magnificent, with murals and paintings everywhere. And it was MASSIVE!!
At one point when Henry was in residence, the kitchens were preparing 1500 meals per day to feed everyone! Insane!
The gardens and groynds were extensive and magnificent. I would love to have a small garden like a few of the ones we saw!
One can only take so much opulence :) so back on the train to London.
We went to the Borough Markets, a bit like t he Central Markets, and had a look through at the stalls selling things like cheeses, bread, different types of meat, fish, hot food, sweets, chocolate...we had some pasta as a late lunch, early tea before heading back to the apartment.
As I hadn't slept well the night before and my knee pain was back, I had an afternoon nap.Not looking promising for when I see the surgeon :(
Tomorrow I think we are aiming for an early start to beat the queues at Westminster Abbey and see what the rest of the day brings. Hopefully the weather will stay nice.
