London – Snapping The Globe

Ted Obsessed!

Last fall, while attending my friend’s annual Halloween party, I was stumped.

While most people’s costumes are easily identifiable, there was one group’s that was not.

All dressed in blue and red sweats, one of the girls had a mustache and a whistle. I assumed she was some sports figure, but I had no idea which and neither did my husband.

A few beers later, I finally had the courage to admit to “mustache girl” that I could not figure out what her costume was all about. Ted Lasso. We still did not know who that was, since we did not have Apple TV and strangely enough, neither of us had never seen any ads for the television series either. It was totally off our radar!

Ted Lasso virgins…yes we were!

A couple of months later, while perusing my subscriptions, I discovered that we had been signed up for an Apple TV trial. I didn’t remember doing this and planned to cancel…until I remembered Ted Lasso. I decided to hold off, because maybe, just maybe, we could watch it…but only after we had finished watching Game of Thrones (yes, we were very late to that game too!).

Once the Nightwalkers had been defeated and Daenerys’ dragon had wreaked havoc upon King’s Landing, my husband and I needed a new series to watch together. Impatiently, we flipped through, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Showtime and HBO, realizing how different our tastes are, until I remembered that we had not canceled that Apple TV subscription.

It was a Saturday afternoon and we were toying with the idea of getting dressed and going out to dinner. With a little time to kill, we decided to see what Ted Lasso was all about. The episodes were pretty short…we could get one in to get the gist of it.

Eight episodes later, with some Chinese takeout for dinner, we were hooked.

While watching Ted walk near his apartment, I wondered (out loud) where the show was filmed. The little square and the pub near Ted’s flat were so picturesque! My husband suggested that since I would be in London that week, I should look it up. With a few clicks on Google, I easily found the location! Richmond…only 9 stops from my hotel!

Needless to say, Sunday afternoon was spent finishing Season One and beginning Season Two. Obsessed was what you could now call us!

Arriving to a beautiful morning in London two days later, I took a quick nap and headed to catch the tube’s District line to Richmond. My Google map on my phone was marked with the location of the pub that Ted frequents, Richmond green and some other interesting locations in the area.

Forty-five minutes later, I was walking out of the Richmond transit station and down the road toward my destination. Turning onto Golden Court, I spied Richmond Green up ahead and on the corner, to my left, the Prince’s Head pub, the location of Ted’s and other character’s favorite hangout, called The Crown and Anchor on the show. Exiting onto the lovely small square, complete with red telephone booths, I couldn’t believe that just a week before, I had no idea that any of this existed!

Spotting the small alleyway to the left of the pub, I realized that this is where Ted’s apartment is located. Because of some prior research, I had learned that although his apartment on the show is number 9 1/2, it is, in actuality, a small shop with a different number! Paved Court is a quaint little pedestrian street, filled with colorful doorways, shops and an ideal place for having a coffee or grabbing some empanadas from Chango’s…perfect for my lunch the next day.

Crossing the street toward Richmond Green, where Ted and Coach Beard watch the local children play soccer, I spotted a sign which informed me that a couple of the buildings, that I had marked on my map, were part of the Richmond Palace, just across the street. The Richmond Palace was a royal residence during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and replaced the former royal residence of Sheen. Only nine miles from the Palace of Westminster, it was built in 1501 by Henry VII of England. Henry VIII lived in the palace, until moving to Hampton Court Palace, as well as his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves (after their divorce). Not much of Richmond Palace remains, however, after walking through the old gate into the Old Palace Yard, I spotted the Old Gate House, The Trumpeter’s Lodge and the Trumpeter’s House. All of the remaining structures are private residences and not open to the public.

*Old Richmond Palace, the Trumpeter’s House and the Trumpeter’s Lodge*

Following signs pointing to the river, I was in search of the area where Ted Lasso characters Keeley and Roy walked for their first date. As I neared the banks of the Thames, I realized how high the water was. The sun was low in the sky, creating an amazing setting, so I decided to stroll along the walkway towards the Richmond War Memorial. The water was over the banks and lapping along the walkway and I noticed a gentleman peering over the adjacent fence.

“You can’t go that way”.

“Hmmm? Me?”

“Yes, it’s blocked.”

I noticed the water had covered part of the walkway up ahead but a few people were walking my way from that direction. I decided to ignore this man, who, no doubt was giving me false information. Pretending to study my phone, I continued forward, until the three gentleman reached me.

“It’s blocked. The water is really high and you won’t make it unless you swim!”

So, he wasn’t lying!

As I turned around, I realized how fast the water was rising! Now covering the walkway entirely, I had a bit of a problem. The guys tried to run through the grass, not understanding how high the water was there as well, so I just popped off my shoes and waded through freezing ankle deep waters. Thank goodness I never fell off the Titanic, because I could barely walk back to Old Palace Lane. That water felt like piercing needles!

Frozen feet needed to be defrosted! Back to the Prince’s Head I went and secured a table in the front near the bar. Ordering a Guinness, I watched as a CNN crew disassembled their equipment in the corner and some of the pub regulars wondered aloud if they were there to promote the show. Though I desperately wanted to ask the bartender a billion questions, I also didn’t want to appear as a tourist, which was probably harder to disguise than I thought.

*The Prince’s Head pub, a.k.a. The Crown and Anchor*

The Guinness was delicious, warmed me to the core and rested my feet enough to head…the long way around…back to the Richmond War Memorial.

Taking Paved Court, I headed to King Street and then back to Petersham Road, taking a turn at the Museum of Richmond and the Old Town Hall. The Richmond War Memorial, located higher up (thank goodness) on the banks of the Thames was unveiled on November 23, 1921 and is dedicated to those local individuals who died fighting in World Wars I and II.

*Richmond Riverfront area near the Richmond War Memorial*

Though I would have loved to have visited one of the many restaurants along the riverfront, prior plans had to take me back in London!

Two weeks have passed since my visit to Richmond. I am watching the final episode of Season 2. My husband probably regrets reminding me that I would be in London after our foray into Ted Lasso Land. I keep pointing out the locations that I saw…the exact table I sat at at the Prince’s Head was where Ted, Keeley, Rebecca and her mother sat during lunch…Ted and Coach Beard walking past Chango’s…those were delectable empanadas!

If you are a Ted Lasso fan…well…you know what to do!

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The Prince’s Head

Address: 28 The Green, Richmond TW9 1LX, United Kingdom
Hours: 1200-2300, Monday through Saturday, 1200-2230, Sunday
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

The Old Richmond Palace

Address: Richmond TW9 1PA, United Kingdom
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

Richmond War Memorial

Address: Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1EH, United Kingdom
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

Chango’s Empanadas

Address: 3 Paved Court, Richmond TW9 1LZ, United Kingdom
Hours: 1000-1900, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

My Favourite Palace

Fascinated by Britain’s Royal family?

Many people love to follow the Royal family. Though I am not one of them, I do enjoy seeing the way others live, including the Royal family.

Never having had the opportunity to procure tickets to Buckingham Palace, I have, however, had the opportunity to visit Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is quite interesting to view the ornate rooms and learn of the history of those who resided in these opulant manors.

In London, with time to kill, I decided that I had to venture out into the cold, but clear day. The sky was a vivid blue and although frigid, it was enjoyable to venture down High Street with no particular destination in mind. Soon finding myself in Kensington Gardens, drawn in by the sparkling lake and well manicured lawn, I stood before Kensington Palace.

Having seen the Oscar nominated movie, The Favourite, I was intrigued to learn that an exhibit on the movie’s costumes was being held within the palace.

Why not?

Paying my admission, I began my re-exploration of the royal residence that has been in the family since the 17th century and is currently the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate), the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan), Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, the Duke and Duchess of Glouchester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Though you won’t see any of these high profile residents roaming the halls, it is interesting to venture through the State Rooms which display many paintings and other objects from the Royal Collection.

The self guided tour directed me through the King’s State Apartments, which were the public rooms where George II and Queen Caroline entertained important guests. In the early 1700s, the King and Queen moved into the palace after the death of his father George I. Grand parties were hosted here in the lavish rooms and you can take note of the elaborate murals and paintings that grace the walls and ceilings.

Moving through the King’s Gallery, I learned that it was refurbished by George II after his arrival and was intended as a gallery for the finest pictures of the Royal Collection. The Cupola Room was used for entertaining more than official business and was the site of musical performance dancing and gambling.

Arriving at the Queen’s Apartments, the oldest part of the palace, it was here that Queen Mary II, who ruled with her husband, King Willam III in the 17th century, spent much of her time. Many portraits of William III, Mary II, Charles I and Henry VIII were hung in the Privy Chamber by Caroline to reinforce the German born couple’s legitimate right to the British throne.

The red damask covered Presence Chamber, offered a look at the space where King George II received ambassadors, men of ideas and ordinary people. An audience with the King could change a person’s life and many were brought here asking for favors or seeking royal approval. In 1734, the King and Queen received an Indian chief and his attendants from the new Americas colony, Georgia.

The Queen’s Drawing Room was where Mary spent much of her time. Her beautifully adorned bed can be seen in the Queen’s Bedroom and was where Mary’s half-brother may have been born at St. James’ Palace in 1688.

The Dining Room was a bit smaller than I imagined and possibly the place where Mary took in her meals when she desired privacy. Moving through the Queen’s closet, I learned of the story of how Mary contracted smallpox, dying and leaving William to rule alone.

Finally, it was in the extended Gallery where I finally discovered the exhibition of the costumes from The Favourite. Though there were some paper mache duplications that I had encountered in the King’s State Apartments, it was here that the actual costumes were on display. It was quite thrilling to see them up close and remember the scenes that they played a vital role.

Princess Diana, though now gone for almost twenty-two years, has remained fondly in the memory of the world. The palace recognizes that there are many who are still fascinated with her lifestyle and legacy and I was glad to see the permanent exhibit, Diana, Her Fashion Story was still available for viewing. Pictures of Diana grace the walls, along with quotes and stories, however, it is the glass cases that contain the showstoppers…a large number of Diana’s outfits worn for various occasions. Each outfit contains a placard and picture that describes the occasion worn as well as the designer of the ensemble.

The last room that we were able to inspect contained some of the royal jewels, including Queen Victoria’s Emerald Necklace, Earrings and Broach, The Fife Diamond Tiara, given to Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, by her husband, the Duke of Fife and Princess Louise’s Diamond Necklace Tiara, gifts from her parents which can also be transformed into a necklace.

Eventually, I made my way through the gift shop and out into the gardens. Though the pond was drained for winter maintenance and nothing was in bloom, it was interesting to stop and imagine what it might look like in a couple of months with the approaching warmer weather.

With an hour of so of daylight remaining, I decided to make the most of the afternoon and walked out to the lake. Hundreds of birds, including graceful swans swam through the cold water looking for a handout from the children who had come prepared with bags of bread crusts. Though I am a bit afraid of the aggressive, feathered creatures, it was nice to capture some close-up photographs.

Eventually, with waning light, it was time to head back to High Street to search for dinner. Though I had visited the Palace a few years prior, it was nice to see it once again and especially to enjoy The Favourite exhibition.

Makes me want to go and see the movie again!

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Kensington Palaceh

https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/#gs.1yxbr4
Address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, UK
Hours: Daily, 1000-1800, last admission, 1700
Admission: Adults, £19.50, Children, £9.70
Getting There: London Underground, High Street Kensington Station, Circle and District lines and 10-15 minute walk. Queensway Station, Central line and 10-15 minute walk, Notting Hill Station, Central, Circle and District lines and 20-25 minute walk. Bus, routes 70, 94, 148, 390 (to Bayswater Road) and
routes 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, 452 (to Kensington High Street).

The Prime Meridian

As a child, I remember our elementary school lessons about the Greenwich meridian, the imaginary line used to indicate 0° longitude and used as the reference for all other meridians of longitude, which are numbered east or west of it.

Also known as the Prime Meridian, it is similar to the equator, but an imaginary line that divides the earth into two hemispheres…eastern and western instead of northern and southern.

With my love of geography, it is surprising that I had never given it much thought in my adult years, especially with all of my worldly travels.

Scouring a map of London for things to do, I came across the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Located in a different part of the city that I had never been to and on the beautiful afternoon, it seemed like a great destination.

After the short journey, I departed the metro station and made my way toward the Royal Observatory, passing the statue of William IV, the Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House Museum and finally making the climb uphill through Greenwich Park.

*View of Queen’s House and London from Greenwich Park*

Paying my admission, I entered the Royal Observatory grounds and strode into the courtyard.

The first thing I noticed was all of the tourists trying to get their best shot straddling the brass line which is marked with the latitudinal coordinates of major countries of the world. So, of course I took my turn, amazed that I was actually standing on spot, chosen in 1884, to define the time zones for all countries and cities of the world.

Why Greenwich? The United States originally had chosen Greenwich as the basis for its own time zone system, but in the late 19th century, the majority of the world’s commerce depended on sea-charts. These sea-charts used Greenwich as the Prime Meridian.

If you can recall my blog post, “Calling All Dan Brown Fans” from a couple of years ago, you will already know that this was not my first time encountering the Prime Meridian. Visiting Saint-Sulpice in Paris, made famous by the Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code, I then stood astride the brass line (called the Rose Line in the book) which is marked by a brass strip on the floor of the church. For those wondering, Paris’ longitude and latitude coordinates are 48.8566° N, 2.3522° E and I fondly remembered this visit as I noticed Paris marked on the Prime Meridian here in Greenwich.

There was much more to explore at the Royal Observatory, I soon discovered.

The Flamsteed House was designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren, the builder of St. Paul’s Cathedral, under orders of King Charles II. Wren, also an astronomer, began the construction in 1675 and it was completed by the following year.

As I walked through the Flamsteed House, I learned of the ten royal astronomers who lived in the house with their families for nearly three centuries. There are many of the families possessions on display throughout the home,

Eventually, making my way to the Octagon Room, I learned that it is one of the few surviving interiors by Sir Christopher Wren, also responsible for St. Paul’s Cathedral. This grand room was designed mainly for important guests hoping to try their hand at astronomy in elegant surroundings with thirteen foot windows designed for the long telescopes used at the time. While visitors at the time mainly observed eclipses, comets and other celestial events, today’s visitors can observe the beautiful portraits, the unique ceiling, some astronomical instruments and two clocks, concealed behind paneling which only need winding once a year. Using 13 foot pendulums behind the paneling, these clocks still keep amazingly accurate time.

Moving on, I investigated the Time and Longitude and Time and Greenwich galleries which tell the story of the quest to find longitude at sea before satellite navigation was the norm and the need to develop accurate timekeepers. The Harrison sea clocks and the actual GPS receiver used by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on his round-the-world voyage in 1994 are the centerpieces of these galleries.

Exiting the Flamsteed house, I took a look skyward, not hoping to see anything celestial, but the time ball which sits atop the house. One of the world’s earliest public time signals, in operation since 1833, the bright red ball drops at 1pm each day.

To the left, I headed to the overlook and admired the view of the Queen’s House and the National Maritime Museum in the waning afternoon light. Ducking into a curtained doorway, I discovered the summerhouse which houses a camera obscura. This camera uses a lens and rotating mirror to project a close-up real-time moving panorama of Greenwich and the Thames, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Naval College.

Finally, I entered the last part of the observatory which houses astronomical instruments used to make meridian observations and the impressive Great Equatorial Telescope. I must say, seeing the size and complexity of this massive instrument is mind boggling. The largest telescope of its kind in the United Kingdom and the seventh largest in in the world, it was built over 100 years ago. You can channel your inner Sir Christopher Wren and take a peek during the observatory’s Evenings With the Stars. I may have to come back on another trip!

Not sure what to expect when I decided to venture out to Greenwich, I was quite pleased with what I found at the Royal Observatory and in Greenwich itself. A very educational experience, I loved that I have now stood at the Prime Meridian in two different cities. I also learned a great deal about the history of astronomy and time. Passing so many other available attractions in the picturesque borough…The Queen’s House Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum, and the fabulous Cutty Sark…I know that I have to make the return journey in the future.

Greenwich is a happening place!

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Royal Observatory

https://www.rmg.co.uk/
Address: Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, UK
Hours: 1000-1700, daily (including bank holidays), closed December 24-26.
Admission: Adult, £13.50, Child £5.85
Getting There: Located 8 minutes from Central London by rail, 20 minutes by DLR and also by boat access. Stations nearby are Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail station and Maze Hill rail station and Greenwich Pier.

Churchill’s Hideout

Last week, I saw the movie, “Darkest Hour” and a few week’s before that, “Dunkirk”. History is not my strongest suit, despite my love of museums, but having visited the Churchill War Rooms in London recently, everything that happened during that time frame suddenly made sense to the muddled historic timeline in my head!

One of the five branches of the Imperial War Museums, the Churchill War Rooms, opened to the public in 1984, includes the Cabinet War Rooms, the historic underground complex that housed the British government center throughout World War II and the Churchill Museum, dedicated to the life of former prime minister Winston Churchill.

As Hitler threatened the world, Britain began construction on the Cabinet War Rooms, located below the Treasury building in Westminster in 1938. Just before the war broke out in Europe, operations were moved in and remained throughout the Second World War until the surrender of Japan.

The Churchill War Rooms offer a self guided tour through each of the areas used by British intelligence and more importantly, the prime minister of the time, Winston Churchill.

Watching the movie, it was quite thrilling to see the Map Room, which was used continually by the officers of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force who produced a daily intelligence summary for the King, Prime Minister and the military Chiefs of Staff. The other room I recognized was the Cabinet Room, from which Churchill visited in 1940 and famously declared, “This is the room from which I will direct the war.” And that he did. 115 Cabinet meetings, in all, were held in the Cabinet War Rooms.

The facility included living and sleeping areas for the staff, bedrooms for the military officers and senior ministers and rooms for the typists and telephone switchboard operators. The prime minister also spent much of his time below ground working, despite the fact that the rooms were not entirely immune to the bombing raids that continually rained devastation upon the city.

Also interesting to observe were the Transatlantic Telephone Room and Churchill’s office-bedroom, both preserved much as they were left. Noticing a small sign which instructed visitors to walk to the end of one of the hallways, it also gave instructions to check out a doorway on the left. Though it only appeared to be the entrance to a bathroom, there wasn’t much else to clue anyone in as to its importance. As I entered the next room, one of the volunteers, asked me if I had noticed the doorway. Since I didn’t seem to know anything about it, he proceeded to tell me about a scene in the movie to watch for when Winston Churchill retired to what appeared to be a restroom. A glass wall, around the corner, offered a glimpse into the pseudo bathroom…it was actually a small room outfitted with a SIGSALY code-scrambling encrypted telephone connected directly with the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. This modest space offered the prime minister privacy and a direct line to speak with American President Roosevelt.

The other major part of the exhibit was the Churchill Museum. A large detailed space, it offered a look into Churchill’s life from his birth, to his military career, his political career and finally retirement.

Whether you are a fan of the two-time prime minister or a history buff, the Churchill War Rooms does not cease to please. Take a couple of hours and head on over to the place in London that made a huge impact on World War II.

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Churchill War Rooms

https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms
Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ, UK
Hours: Daily, 0930-1800
Admission: Adult, £21.00, Children under 5, free, Children ages 5-15, £10.50, Family ticket (2 adults, 1 child) £35.70, Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £53.55, Concessions, £16.80. Audio guides included in admission price.
Getting There: Metro, Westminster station

1,000 Years of Worship

Old churches in London…there are many!

Though my initial plan was to visit St. Paul’s, discovering that photos were not allowed there, as they were not in Westminster Abbey, altered my decision. One church with no photos per visit is plenty! So…since I was planning to have something to eat at the Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral is next door, I decided to pop in and check it out.

The location of Christian worship for more than 1,000 years, Southwark was originally an Augustinian priory and then a parish church by the name of St. Saviour’s. The Gothic structure was built between 1220 and 1420 with the addition of the nave during the 19th century.

Having seen the magnificent Westminster Abbey, in all of its glory the day before, this cathedral could have been sort of a letdown. However, you can’t compare apples to oranges. Southwark has an amazing history and some unique things to see as well.

When you walk into the cathedral, one of the first things you will notice on the rear wall, near the baptismal font, are the Medieval Roof Bosses. When the roof collapsed in 1469, these bosses were part of the newly built wooden vaulted roof. Originally 150 in all, some of these quirky, yet ornate, pieces still sport the remains of the bright paints used to decorate them. Also, near the baptismal font, pay attention to the original thirteenth century medieval arcading on the walls.

Making your way toward the altar on the cathedral’s north aisle, you will encounter the tomb of medieval English poet, John Gower. A friend of Geoffrey Chaucer, he lived in the cathedral’s priory from the 1370’s until his death at the age of 78. His body is interred with his head resting on one of his most famous works, Speculum Meditantis, Vox Clamantis and Confessio Amantis. The latter’s first editions were dedicated to Richard II.

Make sure to gaze upward at the beautiful stained glass windows, especially, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Window in the south wall of the retrochoir, the story of Creation, a set of three lancets at the west end of the nave and the Shakespeare Memorial window in the south aisle of the choir.

On the north aisle of the cathedral is the North Transept and many monuments are located in this area, most notably the monument to Lionel Lockyer, a physician whose pills were said to heal all ailments and another to lawyer and poet, William Austin. Austin’s monument, created by Nicholas Stone, a famous 17th century sculptor, is hard to miss for its size.

Take a peek into the Harvard Chapel and inspect the John Harvard Memorial window before continuing on toward the Lady Chapel. Along the way, take in the Humble Monument, which pays homage to Alderman Richard Humble, a member of the church vestry, and his two wives, Elizabeth and Isabel. Equally impressive is the Medieval Effigy of a Knight, an incredible carving of a knight, possible a crusader, dating from 1280.

Between the north and south aisles, behind the altar is one of the greatest treasures of the cathedral, the High Altar Screen. Erected in 1520 by Bishop Fox of Winchester, the screen displays three lines of statues depicting St. Olaf (King Olaf II of Norway) who converted to Christianity and is know for pulling down the London Bridge to protect the city from an assault from the Danes. Also featured are the figures of poet John Gower, King Henry I, Thomas Becket, St. Peter, St. Paul, Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop Fox and many others. There are also carvings of the Lamb of God, a pelican (badge of Bishop Fox), a row of angels and hunting scenes.

Be sure to inspect the tomb of Bishop Lancelot Andrewes located on the south aisle. A high ranking bishop, during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and James I of England, Andrewes was a key translator of the King James version of the Bible and assisted at King James’s coronation. During the latter part of his life, he became Dean of Winchester remaining in the position until his death at the age of 71 in 1626.

As you continue down the south aisle, you will notice the beautiful organ, built 1897 by T.C. Lewis. The instrument is located in the angle where the south transept joins the south quire aisle and has remained mostly unaltered since its construction. It is still used throughout the week, with four sung services. Though I was not privileged to hear the organ played during my visit, I was lucky enough to be graced by the sounds of a pianist and vocalist who were giving a weekly concert in the church.

The last major attraction in the church is the Memorial Window of Shakespeare with a remarkable alabaster statue, created in 1912 by Henry McCarthy, of the great writer in repose, quill in hand. Shakespeare was a parishioner who worshiped at the cathedral when he lived near the Globe Theater. William’s brother Edmund was buried on the church grounds in 1607, however, the exact location of his tomb is unknown.

Before leaving the church, make sure to take a quick walk around the grounds of the church. While taking a look at the stunning Gothic architecture, also look for shrapnel damage which is still visible from the bombs dropped in the area between October 1940 to June 1941. Also, take a look at the archaeological remains located in the far side of the entry hall.

Southwark Cathedral is probably overlooked and definitely overshadowed by churches that are more well known in London. However, if you have a love of Gothic architecture and Shakespeare, it is a must!

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Southwark Cathedral

https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/
Address: London Bridge, London SE1 9DA, UK
Hours: Sunday, 1230-1500 and 1600-1800, Monday thru Friday, 0900-1700, Saturday, 0930-1545 and 1700-1800
Admission: Free. Photography permit, £1.00, includes a souvenir map highlighting important memorials, stained glass windows and history of the Cathedral. Drop-in tours led by Cathedral guides take place on Wednesdays at 1400, Fridays at 1100 and Sundays at 1300, dependent on services and events. Tours last 45 minutes and cost is £4.50 per person, free for children under 16.
Getting There: Tube stop, London Bridge (5 minutes walk), Cannon Street Station (10 minutes walk), Blackfriar’s Station (15 minute walk).

The Royal Peculiar

Where does an English king go to get his crown?

Where does a princess envision the wedding of her dreams?

Where do prominent generals, admirals, politicians, doctors and scientists aspire to be laid to rest?

Winchester Abbey.

Originally a Benedictine monastery, Westminster Abbey, maintains the status of a Church of England “Royal Peculiar”, is one of the United Kingdom’s most notable religious buildings and the site where all coronations have been held since William the Conqueror in 1066.

A church on this site has been dated back to 1080, however, construction of the present church was begun, on orders of King Henry III, in 1245. In addition to the coronations, other notable events have been held at the abbey, including sixteen royal weddings (most recently, Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011), the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales and countless burials.

Walking onto the premises, it was hard not to be mesmerized by the Gothic style structure that stands prominently within the city of Westminster. After paying my hefty admission and getting my complimentary audio guide, it was time to see what secrets this abbey had to offer.

Following the audio guide, I was led past incredible sculpture and the 600 plus memorials in the Nave to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, in St. George’s chapel, which holds an unidentified British soldier, killed during World War I on a European battlefield. This young soldier was interred in Westminster Abbey in 1920 around the same time an unknown French soldier was interred at the Arc de Triomphe in France. These were the first two graves to honor the unknown dead from the First World War.

Also in the Nave, be prepared to take note of the memorial to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt; the 14th century portrait of Richard II, the oldest surviving portrait of an English monarch; the tablet commemorating Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout movement; the Abbot’s Pew, a small oak gallery erected in the 16th century; memorials to Methodist John Wesley and a collection of 18th century busts of British officers.

Continuing on, through the choir, I was directed into the North transept where the Altar and Sanctuary are located with the latter as the location of coronations. Surrounding the sanctuary are chapels dedicated to St. Andrew, St. Michael, St. John the Evangelist, St. John the Baptist, St. Paul, St. Nicholas, St. Edmund and St. Benedict.

In the rear of the sanctuary is the Confessor’s Chapel and Henry VII’s Chapel. Henry VII’s 16th century chapel contains the tomb of Henry VII and his Queen. Be sure to take a look upward at the fan vaulting and richly appointed sculpture as well as the banners and carved stalls of the Knights of the Order of the Bath. Also, be sure not to miss Innocents Corner, the burial place of Sophie and Mary (James I daughters) who were only two and three years old at their passing and the small sarcophagus of Edward IV who was murdered in the Tower of London. The royal tombs of Elizabeth I and her predecessor, Mary Tudor, Charles II, William II and Queen Anne are also located within the chapel. Another point of interest is the Royal Air Force Chapel dedicated to the fallen in the Battle of Britain.

Though I had been able to get a few photos during the initial part of my visit, it was here in Henry VII’s chapel that I was informed that my phone had to be turned off. Apparently, photography and filming are not allowed in Winchester Abbey. As a devout admirer of sculpture and architecture as well as photography, it was disheartening to not be able to capture the beautiful images I was seeing in order to share with others.

Continuing on, I made my way into Poet’s Corner. Also located in the North Transept, there are numerous memorials to poets and writers including Sir Walter Scott, William Shakespeare, John Dryden, Geoffrey Chaucer, Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, Robert Burns, Charles Dickens, Lord Tennyson, Rudyard Kipling and T.S. Eliot. A tombstone belonging to William Gladstone is also located in this area as well as three chapels containing the tombs of many of the famous from the 18th and 19th centuries. The south and east walls are lined with statues of poets.

As I walked through the Cloisters, dating from the 13th and 14th century, I admired the long vaulted corridors and the beautifully manicured courtyard in the center. The cloisters contain many tombs, the entrance to Dean’s Yard and the oldest garden in England, College Garden. There are also rooms located on the western side of the cloisters which include the Deanery, Jericho Parlor and the Jerusalem Chamber, the place of Henry IV’s death in 1413.

The last stop on my tour was to the octagonal Chapter House, the meeting place of the King’s Great Council in 1257 and of Parliament from the mid-14th to mid-16th centuries. Here, you can observe a Roman sarcophagus, 13th century pavement, beautiful windows the circular area over the doorway with figures of the Virgin Mary, Christ and angels.

So tempted to capture this amazingly historic room, I was more afraid of being asked to leave the premises. As I reluctantly made my way to the front of the abbey, I gazed around, once again, at one of the most beautiful religious structures that I have ever seen. What a shame that I could not capture more of it on film.

We all attempt to choose beautiful locales for weddings and life events, however, I could never imagine one so regal…so royal. You go Kate Middleton! Lucky you!

Royal Weddings Held in Westminster Abbey

1382, Richard II to Anne of Bohemia
November 11, 1100, King Henry I of England to Matilda of Scotland
January 4, 1243, Richard, Earl of Cornwall (later King of Germany), brother of King Henry III of England, to Sanchia of Provence (his second wife, sister of Eleanor of Provence, Henry III’s queen).
April 9, 1269, Edmund of Crouchback, 1st Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, son of King Henry III, to Lady Aveline de Forz.
April 30, 1290, Joan of Acre, daughter of King Edward I, to the 7th Earl of Gloucester.
July 8, 1290, Margaret of England, daughter of King Edward I, to John II, son of Duke of Brabant
January 20, 1382, King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia
January 18, 1486, King Henry VII of England to Elizabeth of York
February 27, 1919, Princess Patricia of Connaught to Captain the Hon Alexander Ramsay.
February 28, 1922, Princess Mary, daughter of King George V, to Viscount Lascelles
April 26, 1923, Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), second son of King George V, to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later to become Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother)
November 29, 1934, Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of King George V, to Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark
November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II), elder daughter of King George VI, to Duke of Edinburgh (was Lt. Philip Mountbatten until that morning)
May 6, 1960, Princess Margaret, second daughter of King George VI, to Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Earl of Snowdon)
April 24, 1963, Princess Alexandra of Kent to Hon Angus Ogilvy
November 14, 1973, Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, to Captain Mark Phillips
July 23, 1986, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, second son of Queen Elizabeth II, to Sarah Ferguson
April 29, 2011, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, to Catherine Middleton.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Winchester Cathedral

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
Address: 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA, UK
Hours: Abbey, 0930-1530, Cloister, 0930-1630, St. Margaret’s Church, 0930-1530
Admission: Adults, Online with Fast track, £20, At the Abbey, £22. Children 6-16 years, £9, Children under 5 years, free. Concessions, 60+ years and students with valid ID, £17. Wheelchair users and caregivers, free. Family ticket, 2 adults and 1 child, £40, 2 adults and 2 children, £45. Admission includes free audio-guide.
Getting There: Tube stop, Winchester, served by Jubilee, District and Circle lines.

The Great Fire

Certainly, there is no shortage of things to do in the City of London…London Bridge, Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace…but one has to remember that there are little treasures tucked away throughout the city.

While I eagerly seek out these unique places of interest ahead of time, sometimes they just happen to fall in my lap. Recently, I discovered two such treasures while exploring in London. Emerging from the Monument tube station, I observed a large tower adjacent to the metro station. Though not what I was searching for, I thought it quite intriguing and stopped to check it out.

Located near the northern end of London Bridge, the Monument to the Great Fire of London, the fluted Doric column built of Portland stone, commemorates the Great Fire of London which started on September 2, 1666. Built between 1671 and 1677, it was here that the first church to be burnt down during the Great Fire, St. Margaret’s, was located. This historic monument was designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke and its height marks the distance from the site of the shop of the king’s baker, where the Great Fire began.

On three sides of the base of the monument, there are inscriptions in Latin. The south side describes actions taken by King Charles the II following the fire, the east describes the beginnings of the monument and the north side describes the damage the fire inflicted and how the fire was extinguished. These inscriptions can be thoroughly inspected while walking through the pedestrianized area around the base of the monument.

If you have time (which I did not on this day), a viewing platform is located at the top of the monument and can be accessed by 311 steps on a narrow winding staircase. The summit of the monument is marked by a flaming gilt-bronze urn which sports a 360-degree panoramic camera which is updated every minute and runs 24 hours a day, providing a record of weather, building and ground activity in the city.

Leaving the monument, I walked along the busy streets of the area to the destination I was originally in the area to find…St. Dunstan-in-the-East.

Originally built in 1100, the church was severely damaged during the Great Fire. Instead of rebuilding the church, the decision was made to repair it from 1668 to 1671, adding a steeple, designed by Christopher Wren, a few years later in 1695.

Though some reconstruction was done during the 1800s, the tower was left intact. During the bombing of World War II, the tower and steeple endured the bombs’ impacts, but in the end, only the church’s north and south walls remained. Sadly, St. Dunstan’s was not rebuilt, however, the City of London Corporation stepped in and the decision was made, not to tear down the historic structure, but to turn it into a public garden, opened in 1971.

As I walked through the beautiful grounds amidst the crumbling walls covered in creeping vines, I marveled that the remains of this ancient structure still stand among the modern skyscrapers that surround it. Many people relaxed on the benches, surrounded by a thoughtfully planted lawn and gardens and enjoyed their lunches. Despite the sounds of the busy streets nearby, it seemed to be a place of calm and obviously beauty.

While the tower now houses the All Hallows House Foundation, the parish is combined with the Benefice of All Hallows by the Tower. If you are lucky enough to be in London on certain holidays, such as Palm Sunday, open-air services are held in the church followed by a procession to the All Hallows by the Tower along St Dunstan’s Hill and Great Tower Street.

There are many restaurants in this area, especially by the Monument to the Great Fire. Work up an appetite by climbing to the top of the monument, then grab some lunch to go and head on over to St. Dunstan-in-the-East. Surely one of the most peaceful settings you can find in London for a mealtime!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Monument to The Great Fire of London

http://www.themonument.org.uk/plan/
Address:
Hours: April thru September, 0930-1730, October thru March, 0930-1700, Closed December 24-26.
Admission: Adults, £5.00, Children 5-15 years, £2.50, Children under 5 years, free, Adult Concession, £3.50, Children concession 5-15 years, £1.70, Companion, free. Joint tickets with Tower Bridge may also be purchased. Adults, £12.00, Children 5-15 years, £5.50, Children under 5 years, free, Adult Concession, £8.20, Children concession 5-15 years, £3.60, Companion, free.
Getting There: Tube stop, Monument.

Tea For Two…or Twelve

What’s a girl to do when you have to work on Halloween?

Pack a costume and bring Halloween with you!

For the first time in my airline career, I was scheduled to work Halloween. Realizing that I was going to be in London and flying with many people that I knew, I decided to keep the trip. Two of my children are off at college and my youngest is past the trick’o’treating age, so I thought, “Why not? It could be fun to see what the Brits bring to the table!”

Informed that some of my colleagues were dressing up (with a theme), I was asked to join in and given three costume choices…Ariel, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty.

The theme…can you guess?

Yes, Disney Princesses!

Securing a long, blonde wig and a medieval costume, I was packed and ready to let down my hair, hit the tube and enjoy whatever came my way!

My group had purchased tickets on the B-Bakery’s London Tea Bus which was offering a special Halloween Tea Tour that evening.

As we set out from our hotel, we immediately attracted A LOT of attention! SO we were in London and there are actual royals living there, but, hey, it’s not every day that you run across twelve Disney princesses on the tube! I think even Prince Harry would’ve been impressed!

Collected from our designated pickup spot at Somerset House, we climbed to the top of the double decker Routemaster bus, admired the Halloween themed decorations and gazed hungrily at the two-tiered tray of pumpkin tarts, scones, mini cupcakes, sweet pastries, savories and macaroons. Everything was absolutely delicious, washed down with a complimentary glass of prosecco, a gin drink and tea, of course!

Not long after we had sat down to our meal, a loud banging started coming from a cabinet beside us. Not sure if we were having engine trouble, we all jumped as the door swung open and a zombie popped out! The zombie, JP, was to serve us our drinks and clear our plates. The most interesting part was that JP also brought us our dessert…BUGS! Our tea tour included Jimini’s mealworms as an added treat! And yes, they were very good!

So interesting was our teatime that we really had to remind ourselves that we were driving all over London and we needed to take a look out the window, every now and then, at the amazing landmarks…Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral and London Bridge!

All too soon our tour was over and we had to say goodbye to our red ride and JP!

Truly one of the most fascinating things I have done in London, I can’t wait to try it out again…who knows…maybe this month for the Christmas lights! Only this time I can pack a little lighter…a Santa hat should do!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

B Bakery’s London Tea Bus Tour

http://london.b-bakery.com/afternoon-tea/afternoon-tea-bus-tour/
Address: 6-7 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HU
Afternoon Tea Bus Tours, Pickup Locations and Prices: 12:30 and 15:00 tours depart from 8 Northumberland Avenue, off Trafalgar Square WC2N 5BY. 12:00, 14:30 & 17:00 tours depart daily from Victoria Coach Station. 45-60£ per person (about $60-$80USD)
Halloween Tea Bus Tours, Pickup Locations and Prices: October 28 until November 5, 2017, four tours daily, 1230, 1500, 1900 and 2130. Tours last approximately one and a half hours. 55£ per person (about $73USD)
Christmas Tea Bus Tours, Pickup Locations and Prices: November 17 until January 7, 2018, There are five daily departures for the Christmas Afternoon Tea Tour at 12:00, 12:30, 14:30, 15:00, 17:00 & 17:30 with the last two touring the Christmas lighted locations. 36-50£ per person (about $47-$66USD)