Saturday we packed up and left Moreton-in-Marsh. Stepping onto a very crowded train, we found our reserved seats... with people sitting in them... we said nothing but lugged our bags to the back and stood, where we met a nice couple from Moreton heading to London for the day. They explained we just needed to eject our seat usurpers, so we swam back through standing room and managed to claim our seats. What a strange system: no conductors checking tickets, no control on numbers of people on the train. The two-hour ride to London was jam-packed, standing room only through the aisles. No matter--we made it.
We stepped out onto the streets of London! Wow. This is a busy city, so much going on. We wheeled our cases a 10-minute walk to our hotel and were able to check in early and walk across the street to Hyde Park. It is a beautiful, vast park, and on a gorgeous sunny day, it was absolutely bustling with runners, walkers, kids, balls, and dogs. There are trails winding through fountains, monuments, natural planting areas, ponds and a long water way with water fowl. We grabbed a snack and wandered through to Kensington Gardens, took a peek at the palace, and then we walked along a street full of embassies--strictly no photography there.
The Maui Sparks arrived to London a couple hours behind us, so naturally we found a pub for light dinner and to raise a glass to the Sparks London Tour of 2023!
After dinner Steve and I traveled the Tube to the Globe Theater where we watched the most amazing performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. We sat in a lower balcony seat on wooden benches, and about half of the capacity is standing area. The theater is designed exactly like the original Globe in an "O", and the acoustics, with no microphones or PA system, were crystal clear. The lively crowd was sold-out, and it did not appear to be mostly tourists--people love their Shakespeare here! Steve would want it also noted--this is not luxury seating--no back support, and even with a bum cushion, the benches were hard. Additionally, two people collapsed and were taken out (without a paused line on stage), and a gentleman near us tripped and bonked his head on a bench. Shakespeare is a dangerous art!
After the play we crossed over The River Thames. Breathtaking!
On Sunday I slipped into Hyde Park as the gates opened at 6 am and ran along quiet trails.
We grabbed some breakfast and set off on a day of adventuring. We are getting this Tube thing down! Along our walking route, Russell T. found his favorite street. And then Steve found his. Brothers!
Today's schedule began at the British Museum. This is full of ancient history and we all picked different areas of interest because it is way too vast to see it all. I especially loved the Enlightenment exhibit, which shows the period of learning and discovery during the 18th and early 19th century. In honor of Father's Day, I spent a little extra time checking out the things my dad would love here--the rocks and minerals as well as the many fossils and natural specimens on display. And the books! Ah, these books!
We took the long way for plenty of London street views. I love the juxtaposition of architecture, the modern structures popping up, with the old buildings holding their own.
Playing on the Tube. Of course.
Our next stop was the Tower of London. What an amazing spot full of history of London and the monarchy along with so much darkness. Fascinating, all. The Tower has grown and evolved since the 1070's when William the Conqueror had the tower built as his royal residence and was home to kings and courts until the Tudor age when it became a prison. Yeoman Warders, the guards of the Tower Grounds and Crown Jewels, still reside on property with their families and the pampered ravens. (As the story goes, if the ravens ever leave, the Tower and kingdom will fall.)
My tour group was beginning to wilt with one more stop on schedule! Next up the Tower Bridge. Built in the late 1800's to ease road traffic while allowing busy trade ships through, the Tower Bridge is still responsible for keeping traffic flowing across the River Thames. It is enormous and iconic and allowed us panoramic views of the city.
So much seen, learned, and experienced--so much left to explore!
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GREAT WORK Kris. This is wonderful. Thank you. We are living vicariously thru your blog. I too in a different life ran in Hyde Park in the early morning. Just super except the bikes almost mom me down.
And takening in a Willy play. Much like Ashland but OSF has nice chairs ton sit on.
Enjoy your travels and Mind the Gap!
While in Costa Rica, our guide said Americans have an expression..."WOW!" He would say "That's a WOW!" Well, Sparks, That's all a WOW for sure!
Did you see the spot where Anne Boleyn lost her head? The Tower fascinated me. Did you see the ghosts if the 2 princes who are probably still lurking in there somewhere?