Adventuring
Holiday over! What a fab time we have had with our London family and especially meeting the adorable Benji. Had “coffee” in a Kingston cafe with Micah today – such fun and lots of memorable moments together to take home.
The cruise was most enjoyable and we have a book or two to inspire us in planning another trip. Still have a few things to see in London so they are on the list for next time too.
Our last week in London has sped by. The weather has not been ideal but we have enjoyed great family times at home and out and about. The men have been “deer hunting” and the ladies and Benji have been shopping! Lunches and walks.
Nan and Poppa had a special night looking after the little boys so their Mum and Dad could have a whole night away together – they went to dinner and a show and stayed overnight in London Central – mostly to celebrate of Matt’s special birthday today. We all had a great time! Lots of games and stories and the boys were very good! Nan and Micah iced the fruitcake, previously made, for morning tea celebrations for the birthday. Dinner out tonight.
The boys are growing so fast (as they do) and we have loved our time together here. Nice to see where they live, see where Micah will likely go to preschool soon, enjoy the beautiful Kingston area and do some different London things on this visit.
Matt, Mark and Micah went deeper into Richmond Park (first by car then on foot) in search of deer.
The herds today seemed to have moved to different places – but after some patience and searching we did catch some glimpses of a deer running down the path near us, then when back in the car again herds grazing at the very western end of the park.
Looked like it was going to be good weather – booked ‘fast track tickets’. Super fast – only a 5 minute wait in line and had a great ride and views over all of metropolitan London – just a shame the rain started coming down and we couldn’t quite see forever. Well worth the ride though.
Also enjoyed a short 4-D presentation about the Eye – could smell the bubblegum being chewed and feel light spray from the water pistol aimed at us – the sea gull flying by was very lifelike too.
Brrr- nice sunshine but chilly! Explored the lovely fishing village of Teignmouth first thing this morning – quite a strategic port in years gone by and bombed by Hitler as there was significant ship building here. As along this coast, there was smuggling activity much earlier than that, but not much recorded for obvious reasons. Interesting thought – despite the sometimes celebrated history and romanticism around the smuggler stories, it was dangerous and all about people trying to avoid customs and taxes and they still do it today. Nothing really changes, just do it differently. Hadn’t really made the comparison to modern day subterfuge and smuggling!
Brilliant sunrise this morning in St Ives – lovely walk along seafront and beaches in a brisk Cornish wind. Quaint little alleys to wander, great looking shops and old houses with busy fishing port. Interesting to see the lifeboat (Coastguard), fortunately parked in the shed but can imagine some challenging rescues along the coast!
Next stop was Penzance – another lovely piece of coast and a busy fishing port with lots of history and smugglers tales. Interesting names on the pubs of course. Enjoyed views of St Michaels Mount too – can only access by boat or causeway at low tide.
Quick walk around South Zeal this morning admiring the thatched cottages and olde world charm. Headed off toward Cornwall in bright sunshine enjoying the leafy country lanes, stone walls and cottages and picturesque countryside.
Weather changed as we got into Cornwall and through Bodmin Moor area with misty rain. Still nice views though of the tussock, peaty looking land and lakes. Guess it might be tricky underfoot! Stopped in Bodmin, an ancient county town, for coffee and quick look around – some nice displays at Shire Hall. The “court” was in session – visitors can be part of a jury re-enacting a famous murder trial associated with the renowned Bodmin Jail. The torture wheel for hard labour looked nasty!
Set off late morning with Ms. GPS who took us safely through a number of rotary (roundabouts!) – heading for Devon and Cornwall.
Nice drive through rolling countryside – farmland, autumnal colours and little villages sitting on hillsides with their church spires.
Detoured to Bath – very pretty and on the “bucket list” for a return visit. No time to have a spa!
Nice to see familiar names on signposts and travel though the counties to the edge of the Dartmoor National Park.
Outing to Greenwich today. Lunch in the lovely park area with food from Greenwich Markets. Markets very very busy – beautiful sunny day.
Walked up the hill to the Royal Observatory, Planetarium, Altazimuth Pavilion with telescope for viewing the sun, Shepherd 24 hour Gate Clock which always shows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), The Time Ball – one of the world’s first visual time signals and of course the Prime Meridian Line. Stood with my feet in the East and the West at the same time. Just cause its what you do! The boys visited the Clock Museum.
A gentle boat ride on the Thames to Hampton Court Palace (and return) today. Set in 750 acres of parkland. Home to King Henry VIII, some of his wives and other royals over a few centuries. Actually two palaces in one -the Tudor Palace of King Henry and the later addition of the Baroque Palace of William III (William of Orange) and Mary II. William and Mary commissioned Christopher Wren to renovate the whole place in the baroque style however as money was tight it was never completed.
Fascinating to wander the huge kitchens, Great Watching Chamber and Great Hall, the beautiful Chapel Royal (no pictures allowed here as it is still a place of worship) and over 60 acres of palace gardens right alongside the Thames.
There is a “Secret of the Royal Bedchamber” exhibition at present – in the Stuart and Hanovarian courts, the real corridor of power was the one the led to the monarch’s bedchamber! Political deals were brokered and matches made here until the more democratic parliament came about. Some impressive beds on display.
Beautiful water features and trees surround the palace.
There were a number of people in period costume and demonstrations/re-enactments which added to the atmosphere.