R&R 2014, Part 4: A British Medley

Following our day at Windsor, we returned to London for one last farewell show (West End Bares) before  heading to Anwarul's house in Henley-on-Thames.  And now Part 1 is in sync with Parts 2 and 3.  Whew!  On to Part 4...

Henley-on-Thames is, approximately, a 1.25 hour drive west of London.  For this and all of the travels planned for the days ahead, Anwarul rented a car.  Because he's awesome.  Also, because he's
British and, generally speaking, would prefer taking public transport when at all possible but the bloody Americans had to come visit with all of their luggage.

Sadly, we didn't do much exploring of the town; It served primarily as mission headquarters and was really just a place to lay our heads between bouts of tourism.  Plus, TJ developed a cold on our last day in London and spent most of his down time sleeping.  

We did have some great food at a local pub, a traditional Sunday roast,  and access to a washing machine that didn't require quarters...which was pretty awesome after a week in a hotel room.

There were also cute duckies and a mid-transformation mermaid statue that was pretty cool.

I'm sure there will be opportunities to properly explore in the future; I'd hate to think London and its surroundings have left my life for good.  But for now, we must move on with the adventuring that has been, not what could be. 

September 8, 2014

Thorpe Park is a theme park located between Chertsey and Staines, approximately thirty miles southeast of Henley-on-Thames.  Built in 1979, the park caters mainly to young adults and teenagers (or us older folk that haven't yet developed back problems) due to the vast majority of attractions being roller coasters and other thrill rides such as Saw-The Ride (yes, the movie) and Stealth.

The Angry Birds 4D Experience and the Tetley Storm in a Teacup did not count amongst the thrill rides.

This was an amusing day for us (good outcome for a trip to an amusement park, don't you think?).  TJ and I always try to sneak in a trip to a park whenever possible, and since we met Anwarul during our last trip to Disney World, it seemed to be a fitting inclusion for this vacation.  Now, don't get it twisted; Thorpe Park is no Disney World...but it did have an all you an eat pizza buffet and a Dairy Queen, so...

September 9, 2014

If you had told me that I was going to fall in love with Stonehenge, I would have told you that I thought you were crazy.  I mean, sure, as far as Bucket List items go, it's pretty high up there (and I was SUPER bummed for having missed the chance to see it when visiting London in 2001)...but it always struck me as the kind of thing you would queue up for, look at for five seconds, snap a picture of, and then walk back to the parking lot or bus stop whence you came.   

I was more than elated to find this was not to be the case.  The site and its surroundings, which were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986, feature a fairly expansive interactive indoor/outdoor museum space, a 360-degree time-lapse video showing Stonehenge through the ages, and models of Neolithic houses that would have been prominent at the time in which Stonehenge was built.  As for the ruins themselves, I don't know why I was surprised to find that I could walk all the way around them.  I mean, duh, right?  Have you ever seen a photo or video that looked like there was a fence or something that kept you on one side of it?  I sure haven't.  And yet, there I was.  Surprised.  At least it was a happy surprise.

Stonehenge, located two hours west of London in Wiltshire, is one of the most famous sites in the world.  The prehistoric monument consists of the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks, an artificial mound made up of piles of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris.  These stones were raised more than 4500 years ago by sophisticated prehistoric people and are aligned with the movements of the sun.

Archaeologists are still trying to determine just exactly what its purpose was, though evidence suggests that it could have been a burial ground as well as a site for memorial services.  

Moving on down the road, we found ourselves in Bath, 97 miles west of London.  Bath became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 due in large part to the Roman spa which is its namesake (Though it was known as Aquae Sulis in 60 AD when the facilities were built).

The Roman Baths flourished between the first and fifth centuries AD.  The facility was built around the only natural hot spring located within the United Kingdom, with temperatures rising to 46ºC/115°F.  The remains are remarkably complete and among the finest in Europe.     

Next door is the beautiful Bath Abbey with its 56 panel stained glass window depicting scenes in the life of Jesus Christ.  The Abbey has been a place of Christian worship for over a thousand years, though it has undergone many transformations and changed during that time.  Beginning life as an Anglo-Saxon monastery, it transitioned into a Norman cathedral before becoming the Abbey we see today.  King Edgar, the first King of all England, was crowned on this site in 973, beginning a long history of royal coronations here.

 The most moving sight from our travels was found within the walls of the Abbey:  A prayer and shrine for peace between Gaza and Israel.  To say this touched us emotionally, given our closeness to the conflict, was an understatement.  The prayer follows.

Lord God of compassion, whose will is for peace built on righteousness, we pray for peace in Gaza and Israel:
for an end to hostilities, for comfort and help for all who suffer, and for reconciliation between Palestine and Israel, through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Amen

After feeding our souls, it was time to take care of our stomachs.  Number One on the complimentary "26 Things to Do in Bath...and Beyond" brochure and map was a meal at a place called Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House and Museum.  This probably means that Sally's descendants advertise heavily with the tourism board, but whatever.  The food was delicious...if not strict with the regulations on how to eat it.  Sally offers a variety of dishes that incorporate her famous buns, one of which you will typically receive open faced and quartered.  You do NOT get to select top or bottom half, though if you wish to dine with a friend, they say your odds are increased of getting one of each.  O...kay.

I think she's crazy.  But girlfriend can cook.

September 10, 2014
Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987) and is famous for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. 

With its gorgeous construction, gardens, and museum space, Blenheim kind of puts to shame a certain Palace found in London some 62 miles to the southeast.  Sorry, your Majesty.

Possibly the most exciting aspect of the palace was found within the Pleasure Gardens (mind out of the gutter, perverts), in which we discovered the Marlborough Maze.  We couldn't believe it!  Our very first hedge maze!  And we OWNED it.  Woo!  

Oxford was the last stop of the day.  It was fairly brief.  Poor Anwarul had wanted to show us around the University grounds, but a lot was closed off to tourists and I wasn't about to enroll so late into the term.  Plus, we were rapidly losing energy as we entered the homestretch of this vacation.  We still managed to see a few things, though:

L: Museum of the History of Science;  R: Radcliffe Square

 L:  Hertford Bridge, aka "The Bridge of Sighs";
R:  The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

September 11, 2014

Manchester was our final stop on the England leg of this journey.  I'm sorry to say it was only to go to Starbucks and the Hard Rock Cafe as we passed through on our way to Edinburgh.  BUT!  We did see a lovely shopping plaza as well as a nightclub called "the birdcage."  Reason enough to go back, one supposes. 

Next time we will wrap up this vacation with a brief trip to Scotland.  Hang in there, folks!

R&R 2014, Part 2: London the First

Last time, I regaled you with tales of all of the theatre productions we saw while visiting London for R&R back in August/September.  This time, we will be discussing London itself.

We arrived in London on the afternoon of August 29th in much the same fashion as I had during my two layovers while traveling to and from Comic Con in July:  Namely, our friend Anwarul was

waiting at the airport to play the role of host, travel buddy, dining companion, vacation planner, and tour guide.

When planning this two week vacation, TJ and I opted to stay in a London-based hotel during the first week, when our focus would be on absorbing the sights, sounds, and flavors of London.  We found a place that was located within five minutes walking distance of two different train lines, ensuring that we had quick and easy access to anywhere in the city.  

During the second week, we used Anwarul's home in neighboring Henley-on-Thames as our base of operation for traveling to various other places both near and far.   Today, though, is all about London.

All told, we spent seven days and eight nights in London.  This was a trip that I had been anticipating for 11 years;  I hold fond memories of my time in London during a summer 2001 study abroad trip, and had always wanted to recreate that magic with TJ.

I won't bore you with the play by play, but here are some of the most memorable highlights.

Westminster Abbey only received a drive-by nod from us, as the line was long and we had a tour scheduled at Parliament that made the timing tricky.  Instead, we opted for coffee and a brisk walk around the neighborhood, both of which were enjoyable.  The Abbey is one of the most notable religious buildings in the United Kingdom and has been the traditional place of coronation and burial for English and British monarchs.  The Abbey is that in name only; it has been a "Royal Peculiar" since 1560 - exempt from the jurisdiction of the diocese and instead subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch.

Sharing a courtyard with the Abbey is Saint Margaret's Cathedral, which we did enter due to the lack of line and entry fee.  The present building, consecrated in 1523, is the third on the site.  It has been the church of the House of Commons since 1614.  Raleigh is buried in the front altar, under the glorious window made for King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.  Other windows commemorate Caxton and Milton, who worshipped there.  Saint Margaret's Cathedral joined was inscribed onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987, alongside Westminster Abbey and The Palace of Westminster/The Houses of Parliament.

The Palace of Westminster, located just across the street from Westminster Abbey, is home to the United Kingdom Parliament.  It has been a royal palace for some 1,000 years and home to Parliament for almost 500.  The palace was originally home to the Kings and Queens of England but, as Parliament evolved and grew in importance, the Palace transitioned into more of a meeting ground for politicians.  It became their official, permanent home in 1550.

Our tour began and ended in the 916 year old Westminster Hall, which was designed to host state occasions and to be a place for feasts and entertainment.  Work on the hall began during the reign of William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror, who desired a space that would impress and overawe.  It is one of the largest undivided medieval spaces in existence today.

Westminster Hall is one of only two structures that survived the fire of 1834 intact; all else had to be rebuilt over a 20 year period.  The hall has been used for many events during its long history.  Coronation banquets were held here from 1189-1821.  The trials of King Charles I and Guy Fawkes took place within these walls.  Today, the hall is used for great ceremonial events; Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama are but examples of those that have addressed Parliament under this roof in recent years.  It is customary for monarchs to lie in state here after their deaths.

It's a shame they don't have an interesting mosaic tile pattern on the floor or a Chihuly chandelier, because that was the only room in which photographs were allowed.

Other highlights of the tour (with Internet-swiped photos) include:

• The House of Commons, where the democratically-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) meet to debate and make laws;

• The House of Lords, where laws are scrutinized and challenged on behalf of all the people, not constituencies, in the UK.  Lords challenge the government to think harder about its legislation and policies;

• St. Stephen's Hall, which stands on the site of St. Stephen's Chapel.  Destroyed by the fire of 1834, the Chapel was where monarchs and their families worshiped while staying at the Palace...though it was turned into a debating chamber for the House of Commons in 1550.  

Leaving the Houses of Parliament, we walked along the North Bank of the River Thames, casually admiring the sights, architecture, and various monuments that we passed along the way.  Here, we see TJ and Anwarul posing with the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel that sits on the river's South Bank.  Also known as the Millennium Wheel, it is Europe's tallest Ferris wheel. It opened to the public on March 9, 2000.  I remember to this day, and with great disappointment, how I missed my opportunity to ride this popular attraction during my study abroad trip.  My group arrived just as they were closing for the evening, and no amount of self-entitled tourist pleading was going to keep them open a second longer than necessary.  I'm a working stiff now, too, so I'm right there with you, Ferris wheel operators of the world.  It had been my utmost hope that I could finally fulfill my 13-year wish on this trip...but alas it was not meant to be.  The timing just never worked out.  I have yet to lose the faith though; we are already discussing a Christmas trip to London sometime in the future.  As long as the line for this thing was, I'm sure it'll still be around.

St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral that sits atop Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the city of London.  Dedicated to the Apostle Paul, the cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London.  It is the second largest church building in the United Kingdom and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century, following the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Important services held at St. Pauls have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thathcher, the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.  Photography was not permitted inside (because why should beauty be shared?), so here is another Internet-swiped image.

Tower Bridge was built over 120 years ago to ease road traffic while maintaining river access to the busy Pool of London docks.  Built with giant moveable roadways that lift up for passing ships, it is to this day considered an engineering marvel and is arguably one of the most instantly recognizable structures in the entire world.

The attraction consists of a small museum, called the Tower Bridge Exhibition, that tells the history of the bridge and how/why it came into existence.  Visitors are able to visit the Victorian Engine Rooms, which house the steam engines that once powered the bridge lifts.

I've got to say, the bridge itself is gorgeous, but the fun stops there.  The exhibits aren't particularly fascinating.  I was expecting more artifacts, but the majority of the exhibit takes the form of print media and timelines of events, not all of which pertain to the bridge itself but rather greater London.  Your time is better served just stopping for a photo and moving on with your day.

The Tower of London, offically named Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, is a historic castle located on the North bank of the River Thames.  It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England.  A grand palace, it served as a royal residence in its earlier history.

The White Tower, which gives the castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was resented by the citizenry as a symbol of oppression inflicted upon London by the ruing elite.

The castle was used as a prison from 1100 to 1952 though, despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, only seven people were executed there before the World Wars. Despite this, there was a charming exhibition featuring various torture devices on display.

The Tower is an expansive complex featuring several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.  It was inscribed onto the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites in 1988.

The Tower has served as an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.  The jewels are on display in a vault, which you are able to visit but of course not photograph.  This time, I feel the policy makes sense; why give photographic tools to thieves-in-planning?  Though with a dragon this awesome guarding the place, I'm sure they have nothing to worry about.  This ferocious fella was part of a museum exhibit featuring various suits of armor through the ages.  One would then suppose that dragons did exist, and they had incredible fashion sense.

My favorite thing about the Tower was actually a temporary art exhibit located outside of the complex, in the moat.  Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red was an evolving art installation that sought to fill the moat with 888,246 hand-made ceramic poppies.  Each one represents a British military death during the First World War, which began in 1914.  The last poppy was scheduled to be planted on November 11, 2014, commemorating the war's end on the same day in 1918.  Guests were invited to purchase one of the poppies for £25, with 10% of the price, plus all net proceeds, going to one of six military service charities.

The exhibit has sense been dismantled, and poppies are on their way to their new homes.  I'm sad to say that we didn't take advantage of the opportunity, and I am now perusing eBay.

Join me next time as I recount our final London exploits and prepare to take our tale into other corners of the kingdom.