Last days in England...

Wow, I can't believe three weeks have gone by already, though it does feel like I have been gone a long time.  I am packed and ready for the trip home. Yesterday we had a lovely lunch with two of Hilary's friends, former teachers, and a nice visit after at Hilary's home.  It was fun to just relax and visit.  Today after Hilary finishes her volunteering at a little village school we will go over to say good-bye to her sister Jill.

 Here is a few photos of Hilary home at 26 Ramson Rise and the neighborhood.

It is very common to have an attached home although there are many homes that are as we would have at home.  Hilary's home has a kitchen with an eat-in area and a living room downstairs.  Upstairs are two bedrooms and a bathroom.  She has the small garden in the back and then a shared lawn in the front.  It is a very peaceful neighborhood.
Good-bye to England and hello to California on Wednesday night.

Where did William and Katherine get married?

Today is Saturday, and we decided to take a train ride over to Westminster.  Our first stop was Westminster Abby where Prince William and Katherine were married as were his grandparents and great grandparents.  His mother Diana's funeral was also held there.  There was a long queue but within a half hour we were in and it was worth the wait.

As you can see in the photos we weren't alone.  If fact when we got off the train and climbed the stairs there were so many travel groups we could hardly move.  It was a sea of people flocking to the same location.  But, once in line and then inside it was fine.  Of course you cannot take photos inside.  In one large side space they had a lovely display of wedding pictures and it was fun viewing those.
The Abby is a working church and houses many, many tribute plaques, busts, and tombs.  Great poets are recognized not just British, all.  Many tombs of Kings and Queens and others that were important to the crown.  The Abby dates back to 960ad.  The tombs include Elizabeth 1 and Mary 1, Mary Queen of Scots, Geoffrey Chaucer the author to name a few.  There is a tribute to Charles Darwin, President Roosevelt and others.  We spent a couple of hours wondering through this spectacular building.  I tried to imagine the bride walking down the long isle in this beautiful church, what a wonderful experience in itself.
After leaving the Abby we walked over to St. James Park and then up to Buckingham Palace.  On the way we walked through this street, Queen Anne's Gate, that seemed to take me back in time.

  St. James Park is a wonderful peaceful walk.

 You can see Buckingham Palace in the background of this photo below with the Queen Victoria Statue in front of it.

The Palace is huge of course and to see the balcony that the Royal Family comes out onto during special occasions is very fun.

We walked back to the train without the crowd thank goodness and had a lovely meal near where we were staying.  Hilary's brother-in-law and sister now have a studio flat in London so we were able to stay there and save a huge lodging expense.
Sunday we had a lovely lunch at Hilary's daughters flat.  She and her wonderful boyfriend, Matt, cooked up a beautiful and delicious lunch for us and Hilary's nephew and his wife joined us.  It was a fantastic afternoon.  They live in a part of London called Roman Road which is a little community inside of London.  It is very near to the 2012 Stadium for the Olympic Games also.  There is a park near by where they will be able to watch the Games on big screens.
Well, today is Monday and we are having lunch with Hilary's teacher friends so you know I will be having a great visit with them.

A Weekend in London...

We arrived Friday afternoon by train, deposited our overnight bags and walked to St. Pauls Cathedral where Prince Charles and Diana had been married.  Along the way we came upon a small garden called The Postman's Park that contained wall plaques in memory of ordinary heros dating back to the 1700's.  There were also some old head stones stacked along the walls.

 The St. Pauls Cathedral is so huge as most of the great buildings I have seen that it is nearly impossible to get a full view.

Of course the access is limited and those darn trees didn't not help me at all.  We then went on to the Millenium bridge which is a walking bridge across the Thames River.  It was very windy as you can see and a bit drizzly also.  You can see the Cathedral in the background bigger than life.

On the other side of the bridge was a huge Museum called the Tate Modern.  We went in to see different modern art exhibits.  We had a bit of tea and a sweet and headed back for the evening.

An Afternoon At Hatfield House.

The present Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury live in this home today which looks more the size of a castle.  The Marquess' family has lived here since 1607.  The family name was Cecil.  Queen Elizabeth in 1558 appointed William Cecil her principal secretary and later Lord High Treasurer renaming him Lord Burghley in 1571.  Lord Burghley's, William Cecil's, son Robert became the 1st Earl of  Salisbury and gained direct association with Hatfield House in 1567.  The house was built over years.
Here is the house from all sides.

We didn't have access to all of the outside areas of course.  We toured the inside but could not take photos so I purchased a guide book full of great photos of the interior.  Here are some views of the garden areas.  It was a mix of wild flowers and well groomed areas including a maze on the west side of the building.  

In one of the gardens they constructed a large topiary of two large elephants touching trunks and a baby elephant standing behind the mother.  It is made of horseshoes welded together.

Hilary's good friend Rita went with us today which made it extra special.  I met Rita my first visit.  She is a great person.  We did have some weather today as you see I have on my rain coat.  The rain cooperated though and contained itself when we were outside.

Hilary and I..

Hilary and Rita...

As I walked through this beautiful home it was killing me not to be able to have photos to share with you but it is important to preserve this great piece of history.  There were so many huge painting of historical people of that time.  The rooms are as they were furnished and everything.  In the main entertaining room there are current pictures of the present Salisburys living there which was neat.
Thursday is a rest day and Friday through Sunday we will be in London!  So I will add to my blog on Monday.  Soon I will be home again.  Traveling on Wednesday the 13th.