Oxford Saturday - holiday day 7

Saturday was spent in visiting Oxford with new and old friends.  It was a bit nostalgic going to a uni with old uni friends.  It's a gorgeous city with so many colleges to see...I will be going back.  I've thought about doing it the last few weekends, but work just keeps getting in the way.  Fingers crossed for next weekend...

We started the day catching the Oxford Tube (coach bus) from Shepherd's Bush to the high street, dropping us just down the road from several colleges.  This trip was a bit different as friends from work tagged along, one of whom is an Oxford grad (Brasenose college).  It was so nice to not have to plan the day and just follow. The first thing was a rush to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. 

The church was closing down for a wedding.  The flowers were up and the guests, including ladies in their summer hats, were just starting to arrive.  The smell of the flowers was all through the air...and it was a beautiful spring day.  Such a lovely setting for a wedding.

View from the top of the church to Radcliffe Camera - Brasenose College to the left and All Souls College to the right.

All Soul's College above - what a site.

Better shot of Brasenose.  After that, we headed for lunch at a nice little French place with set menus...always a good bet!  We walked by the Eagle and Child pub, made famous by CS Lewis, but I forgot to take a picture.  

Then it was off to University College....where CS Lewis went!

I physically am unable to walk by tulips and not take a picture.

Then Christ Church College (where they shot Harry Potter!).  Also where a large proportion of UK prime ministers went to uni.

I didn't think this actually happened - students playing croquet.  It does.  And it's sort of strange to see in real life and not in a movie.

My one regret from the weekend - not punting.  Above is the famous tradition of pushing a flat boat through the canals with a pole.  If I could do it again, I would go punting.  For next time, just need to find some more lovely people to go with me.

Bridge of Sighs in Oxford.  Remember that time I sighed at the Bridge of Sighs in Venice?

More college buildings...can't remember which ones.  The whole city makes you feel like your IQ is at least 50 points higher than it actually is.

Seriously, people play croquet on perfectly manicured lawns.  Not just people...students. Makes our outings to play sand volleyball at the Rec Center look just down right red neck. #waywelikeit

After wandering all through the city, we went on a pub crawl through the city.  We hit a lot of famous ones, including one frequented by Slick Willie...wonder if he didn't inhale in that one or if he saved that for the states.  Then it was off to the coach again to make it back to London.  Gorgeous and fun day (kudos to the tour guide as well)!

One day more - Holiday day 6

So after the London passes expired after Windsor, we started to "see what we see", which I've found is a nice way to holiday.  We got a leisurely start, starting first with Harrods which is always a great escape from reality.  The toy section is my favourite, always boggles the mind that people spend that much money on their kids (see this and this).  We wandered through the different departments, played "guess that price tag" and then stopping for a fancy sandwich in Harrods (lesson learned from Westminster lunch issues).

Then we took the tube to my other favourite shop - Liberty.  I just love the 3rd floor in Liberty.  I also love the stationary and the flower shop and the Christmas section and the furniture part as well.  I just love that store.  It was nice to go with girlfriends who appreciate flowery things as much as I do.

Then it was off to the British library to see first editions of some of the most famous books in the world, handwritten lyrics to Beatles songs on napkins (Help!) and famous sacred books like very old biblical texts and the Torah.  Its always a fascinating visit, one of my favourite best kept secrets of London.  

We finished seeing the books and were just about to leave when someone pulled a fire alarm, which was alarming...can you imagine all of those priceless documents (including a Magna Carta) going up in flames?  Anyways, we were ushered out separately and thankfully found each other.  There wasn't a fire, but we decided to move out of the chaos. There were a lot of people acting very strange about the alarm, which had me a bit nervous.  Thankfully it all turned out fine.

We then headed for dinner in Covent Garden at Le Pain Quotidien (hitting all the major chains!).  Excellent location at the top of the massive shopping building and great food.  

Then it was off to ....  Les Miserables!  I have been saving it to go with someone special and it worked out perfect.  It was a great show - so sad, poignant, and beautiful story of redemption.  I loved every second of it.  And Javier was excellent - better than Russell Crowe (although I maintain Russell Crowe wasn't that bad).  

No pictures of the day without people or just me in them, but suffice it to say, it was a lovely day!

Wonderful Windsor - Holiday Day 5

After a busting day in London, we headed for a calmer day out of the city in Windsor to see the castle (Queen's primary residence).  She was in Windsor when we were there, so score!  It also happened to be elections day, so there was a certain buzz all around the country that made it feel historic just being there for the moment the Conservatives regained control of Parliament.  Windsor is easy to get to from London - ticket booth at Waterloo station and then a nice hour train ride from there. This is also the day I signed the papers to close on my house, so huge day!

Me and the queen - too much royalty in one picture!  We waited around for the walking tour, which was well worth it.  T pointed out how I've become a bit of a Euro snob...there were some very eager American tourists on the tour who loved to add their own commentary to the tour (pet peeve of mine).  Bless the tour guide, she was so sweet and accommodated them, and it did get funny toward the end to watch her try to make sense of the additional ramblings.  The tour was very informing though...lots of interesting points of interest I missed on my first time through.  

After the tour, we relaxed for a bit overlooking the old moats and the park lands around the castle.  The queen has a heck of a view.  We then went through the castle to see the sheer opulence of royal life.  Windsor is one of my favourite castles.  Its not super unique, but the English touches give it a much higher sense of purpose than Versailles or other palaces.  It's the best of both worlds.  No pictures allowed inside, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favourite room, St George's Hall. Included in the room are all those who have been part of the Knights of the Garter, led by the monarch and dating back to 1348.   
The castle was also recently destroyed by fire (1990s). It is really incredible how well they redesigned the sections that were completely destroyed, including the hall and side chapels of the building.  

She was in residence!  After asking for an appointment for tea, and finding she was booked for the day (bad planning on my part), we headed to St George's Chapel which is where the aforementioned (and oft mentioned) King Henry VIII is buried along with his beloved Jane Seymour.  Its a very unassuming grave, in the middle of the aisle with limited pomp about it.  Quite strange for a king that loved himself fairly strongly.

It took about 4 hours to go through all of the castle, after which we were starving!

We headed to my best kept secret in Windsor...fixed menu lunch at Cote Brasserie on the River Thames on the way to Eton.  River views for almost all tables and great food.  Couldn't be better than that.

We then walked down to Eton, window shopping along the way and exploring the cute high street.  And then it was back on the train for a nice train ride back, a walk along the Waterloo bridge over the Thames and back for an early evening of pizzas and wine.  Great day!

Broken feet - Holiday day 4

In hindsight, Hampton Court was the perfect build up to day 4 of the trip.  It was the perfect amount of walking to get us ready for the biggest day.  It was still tough, but at least we had eased into it.

So on Day 4, we attempted to see all of London in one day.  We started at the Tower of London first thing, skipped the line and headed straight in for the jewels.  Another benefit of the London Pass is no need to queue for tickets - you just flash the pass at the entrance.  I used my same membership card and headed straight in with the ladies.  The jewels are the first thing you want to see at the Tower.  The line can get ridiculously long, so we headed the first there.  No line had formed yet, so we had the place as close to "yourself" as you are going to get there.  They have conveyor belts that move people past the jewels and because it wasn't busy, we went down them at least three times.  Perfect timing.

Unfortunately all of my pics are group shots, so just words and a few random ones of me :)

We then headed for a Beefeater (Yeoman) tour of the grounds.  You cannot go to the Tower without taking this tour.  Part comedy show, part history lesson, it's definitely the best part.  They show you some of the basic parts of the castle, but it's also they only way you can see where Anne Boleyn is buried.  

The castle took about 2 hours.  Then we caught the old 1950s number 15 bus from Tower Hill to Covent Garden in search of food.  We grabbed food at the M&S, from which I miscalculated our timing and the need to find benchs to eat.  Apparently City Mapper (great app, highly recommend) doesn't map out park benches...sad days.  So we caught another bus and ended up in the tourist madness near Westminster eating our lunch outside the tube station under the overhang with 500 of our closest friends from around the world while it rained.  The weather was so typical London that day....if you didn't like it, give it 15 minutes and it will be something different.  Off and on rain, cold and warm wind, it was all over the place.

After finishing lunch, we went to Westminster Abbey (covered by London Pass).  S commented on the number of tombs and graves throughout the church.  I never thought about it as being weird...it's a very European thing.  Kings get buried, memorialised in churches.  But I guess it is kind of weird to see tombs laid out everywhere.  

After walking through the Abbey, we walked through Green Park to Buckingham Palace to hit the Royal Mews before they closed:

Royal Mews is the centre of all things carriages, cars and horses for the royal family.  Its one of the hidden gems of London in my opinion.  Free to take as many pictures as you want and gorgeous carriages throughout.  And modes of transportation you have definitely seen on TV.  (covered by London Pass)

Statue outside Buckingham

Then we walked back through Green Park, stopped for ice cream (even though cold...yolo!) and the ladies went to Churchill War Rooms while I snuck into work to fix some stuff for my house closing (that's how close I work to Westminster....I can just sneak off quickly to print and sign!).  I snuck onto a different floor so I didn't see anyone in my trainers and jeans.  It was touch and go though...thought I was going to get caught and then asked questions about my job!

Then it was back to the Covent Garden area for dinner at Jamie's Italian.  I know Jamie Oliver can be annoying, but I really like his restaurants.  He had me at "heritage tomato salad".

After that it was hobbling slowly back to the flat through the madness of the Picadilly line.  I think I was asleep within minutes of getting back.  

Hampton Court - Holiday Day 3

On Day 3, we kicked into high gear, starting the beginning of attempting to see all of London in less than a week!

We got up fairly early, headed out on the District line and train to Hampton Court Palace.  I hadn't been out there - saved it for the girls.  Situated right along the River Thames, it feels like a million miles from the hustle and bustle of London.  The former country estate of the infamous King Henry VIII, it's one of the most unique places I've been to in the UK.  Added bonus, this year is the 500th anniversary of the palace, meaning they have special demos and exhibits going on at the castle all year.  

It was a tad chilly and windy that day, so we bundled up after the train ride and braved the weather to walk through the courtyards to the main entrance.  Hampton Court is part of the London Pass which the ladies had purchased in advance for a 3 day whirlwind through the city.  I had a friend's membership pass to the castle (which covers a few of them - totally worth the cost if you live in London).  I think we would say the London pass is worth the cost - it paid for itself about half way through the second day.  However, it was a lot of walking to make sure you got the price paid for.

I got lots of non-people pictures at Hampton Court...

 Outside the palace, headed in to the rooms

The picture of this stained glass doesn't do it justice.  I've seen a lot of stained glass wonders in Europe, but for some reason, this one really struck me.  It's in a plain room in the first portion we decided to walk through, with very little other decoration in a large banquet type hall.  I think the lack of other decorations just makes it pop that much more.  The feel of the rooms we went through was like that of a hunting lodge with random moments of opulence.  This was one of those moments.

Another one of those moments, gorgeous ceiling detail in the middle of the palace.

No one does courtyards and gardens quite like the British.  

As someone who has always been anti-gun, I see the above art utilising guns and swords and think that's the only good use for them.

Then it was lunch in the cafeteria - jacket potato and tuna.  Baked potatoes are jacket potatoes in the UK, which is the best name ever.  I will be using that from now on.

It wouldn't be a Henry VIII palace without an exhibit dedicated to his lucky and then very unlucky wives.  Took the above for my catholic friend.

Back view of the palace...completely different look from the stark red brick front.

English garden going French above - cutting the trees to make them grow a certain way.

Much more English garden above - gorgeously kept but looks a bit wild and unkept.  Love it.

Throughout the palace, they had various reenactments and lectures at different times.  We went to a lecture to learn about the Great Vine, which is the world's largest vine (per their representation).  The head vine keeper gave a talk on the annual process to get the vine to produce grapes each year so that the palace can sell them.

View of the Great vine from underneath.

Arched pathway in the gardens (not the vine from above, but still gorgeous).

View from the back gardens at the back of the palace.  A bit french with cone shaped trees.

We hit it right at peak bloom for the gardens - if not for the gale force winds, I think we would have stayed all night.

Another French inspired garden

Beautiful vines growing near the Great Vine.  I wish you could scratch and sniff this photo - the smell was the best part.

Then it was off to the London Eye.  After a nice wander through Hampton Court, we got a bit silly with some jumping shot attempts at the Eye.  I'm posting 2 attempts before the winner....they look like I'm about to be mugged.  Apparently any thought of jumping makes my face do that?

Another attempt...

Money shot!  S, the photographer!

Bridge into Charing Cross Station

Then it was off to Wagamama before our scheduled time on the Eye (just before dusk, the best time).

Westminster looking eeiry in the partial light just before the sunset.  The Eye ride was gorgeous again...highly recommend it.  Easy tourist thing to do just after you arrive in London; helps get you in the mood and oriented.  It was a bit stranger this time as the winds were incredibly bad, but they didn't shut it down.

On the ground again, enjoying the view.

Then it was back off to the flat for a rest before trekking across London on another grand adventure!

Monday chilling - Holiday day 2

Taking a day to recover from jet lag was just what the doctor ordered...we had a lazy Monday relaxing at the apartment.  I went for a run while the ladies slept, enjoyed a newspaper and hot chocolate.  After that, we got out for a quick stroll around Trafalgar Square and afternoon tea at the National Gallery, which is one of my favourite places to relax. We strolled around the area and then called it an early night with dinner at my local pub.  All of my pictures have people in them!  But I can post our route!

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Sunday Fun day - Holiday day 1

 

The first Sunday in May started the beginning of a much needed 2.5 week holiday with S and T from Houston!  I didn't take a lot of pictures of the things we saw...there are a lot of selfies, but trying to keep it discreet :)

 

The girls arrived mid day on Sunday.  After a quick cab ride back to the apartment and some time to rest and relax, we went for roast lunch.  We spent the rest of the day bumming around the apartment and getting ready for two weeks of fun.

 

In honour of T and S's trip, HRH Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge was born.  I got a souvenir newspaper...the pictures sparked a lot of debate here.  How does anyone look that good just 6 hours after giving birth?!?  And I think 6 hours after giving birth, I don't want to be going home just yet.  

 

 

Sunday roast at the Crabtree (mmm) with some Yorkshire pudding: