Tower of London
Today was another bank holiday so Tony had the day off! We went to the Tower of London. Over the years, the Tower of London, formally known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, has been used as a royal residence, prison (the last one was held in 1941), place for execution (Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, as well as others), military fortress, armory, treasury (home of the crown jewels), and past home of the Royal Mint.
(Memorial for the Execution Site at the Tower of London)
We took the Wall Walking tour to several of the towers and visited the White Tower, which currently housing an exhibit of the royal armor, weapons, and the Line of Kings. The line to see the Crown Jewels was really long because of it being a holiday weekend, so we are planning a return visit for that special and royal occasion. It is amazing to think that this has been in existence for the past 900 years. 
We then met my friend (who lives here in England) at a pub for dinner. Tony was starving and ordered a double hamburger. After one bite he was done. He said it was not good at all and felt deceived as the sign outside of the pub said, “Good British Food.” I reminded Tony that it was exactly that—British Food. He is still waiting for an American burger to show up in front of him. We agreed after the meal that Tony would only get burgers at McDonald, Burger King, and the Albany (a pub by our flat) where Tony has found a good burger.
So aside from learning that British beef/burgers are not the same as American beef/burgers, My London Learning for the day is that a baked potato is called a jacket potato. A menu will also say mash for mash potatoes.
Tuesday April 6, 2010
Another Doctor Visit with My Friend
I went with my friend to another doctor appointment. This time we went to another hospital, but in the same group of hospitals where we were two weeks ago. This place is really confusing unless you know where you are going. I really wanted to take pictures here to show you all what we are missing (sarcasm), but didn’t want to take pictures since patient’s were present. So, I’ll try to describe some of the things I found here. First, the hospital was old with little updating. The feeling is sterile and cold, but actually the physical temperature is hot—NO AC! In one hallway, there were ceiling tiles missing exposing wires, etc. and it didn’t look like anyone was working on it. There was no consistency in furniture and it was all uncomfortable and outdated. Passing a desk, maybe a registration area, my friend pointed out a box with stacks of papers several inches thick rubber banded together or stuffed in paper folders and said that they were patient’s charts! She said that the disorganization of charts has created problems for her during past hospital visits.
My favorite though was the pharmacy—as my friend’s husband said, “It looks like Santa’s Workshop.” It was a huge room with shelves of medications around the perimeter and in the middle a work area with this two story conveyor belt system that dropped the medicine to workers below, though these spiral shoots. The worker did their job with it (probably some type of paperwork), then off to the next person, and eventually to the patient waiting. The patient’s here wait for their medications like we wait at the deli counter in the grocery store or at the DMV—with a number. For my friend’s at Elmhurst, there is nothing Planetree about this place and at times I wonder what JACHO would say!
Now on to another health care issue—flu shots. Many of you know how much I hate getting shots--especially the flu shots. However, I faithfully go each year with hopes of avoiding two weeks on the couch in pure misery going through tissue box after tissue box. But if we lived here upon the flu shot season, I would think twice. The picture below says it all…
That’s right they call it a flu jab! Yes a JAB! A shot is one thing, but to be jabbed with a needle is something else. (This picture was posted outside of our local chemist (aka pharmacy).
My London Learning for today came from my friend’s daughter, Chloe. First, I have to say that listening to a three year old talk with a British accent is so fun--words like nose and banana make me laugh. Anyway, while we were waiting to get a prescription filled I sang the alphabet with Chloe. When we approached the letter z, of course I pronounced it like we are familiar with, but she said something else. I looked at my friend and asked what she said and was educated that the letter z is pronounced as zed. So the next time you sing your alphabet sneak in a zed and see what funny looks you get!
Wednesday April 7, 2010
Pence and Pounds
A little about the money here in England—the currency used here is the pound sterling (a.k.a. the pound, symbol ₤), with 100 pence equaling a pound and a single pence being a penny. Currently one pound is equal to about 1.53 US dollars—not in our favor.
The reason I am writing about this…1) for those that were unaware of what I am using to make my purchases here and 2) inspiration/education from an exhibit from the Tower of London, which we visited on Monday (see above). The exhibit in the Tower went through the history of the currency and ended with this:
A model and explanation of the designs of the current coinage.
We took a closer look at the coins found in our pockets and found none that resembled this new design. So I did a little more looking in my pockets and on line. In 2005, the Royal Mint opened a competition to the public asking for new designs for the coinage. Over 4000 entries were received and the winning design (as seen above) introduced in 2008 was by Matthew Dent. The design is of the Royal Shield, which is displayed in full on the 1 pound coin. Since, Tony and I have found (and are keeping safe) 4 coins with the new designs and have the goal of collecting all 7! All this was my (and your) London Learning for the day!
Thursday April 8, 2010
My Routine
So, I have settled into a routine for Thursday: stuff around the flat in the morning, lunch in Prince’s Gardens (unless raining), a free lunch-time concert at our church, and the rest of the afternoon at one of the three museums by the church (Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, or Natural History Museum).
A little more about the Thursday routine.
1-Morning stuff—laundry, shopping, cleaning, etc.
2-Lunch—usually a sandwich from Pret a Manger, crisps, and a piece of fruit enjoyed in the Prince’s Gardens, which is located close to the Imperial College London
3-Free lunch-time concert—our church here sponsors a weekly free concern featuring young artist studying here in the area. Thus far, these artists have been amazing and with a wealth of performing experience all over the world. This week’s artist was Yokino Kano on the piano—checks her out on Youtube. I don’t have the name of the artist from last week, but the accompanying pianist to the violin player was working on his doctorate in composition at Oxford.
For my musician friends—the piano at the church is a 1915 Steinway—almost 100 years old and the pipe organ is a 1961 Hill, Norman and Beard.
4-The church is located steps away from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, or Natural History Museum. Last week and this week (a probably a few more weeks) I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and her Prince Albert. This week I spent time in the British Galleries and the exhibit about stained glass. A few pictures from today’s visits.
Mantua or court dress from 1740-1745--silk and embroidered with silk and silver threads.
Wedding Suit worn by James II in 1673
Bust of Queen Victoria
Traditional Stained Glass Tools
Stained Glass of the Last Supper, France, 1542
Border Panels from Canterbury Cathedral 1200-1220
Hanging Sculpture in the education room in the British Exhibit
Courtyard of the Victoria and Albert Museum
My London Learning for today came from the Victoria and Albert Museum—Queen Victoria set the trend for wearing white colored wedding dresses. It was not common until Queen Victoria set the stage for this at her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 when she wore a white satin dress trimmed with orange blossoms.
Friday April 9, 2010
Weather—Rain or Shine
The first two weeks I was here it rained everyday—not all day, but everyday! I knew that it rained a lot in London, but really? Everyday? However, the past few days have been beautiful—upper 50’s and low 60’s with little to no rain. The parks have been evident of this great weather—everyone is out and soaking up the rays—myself included.
My picture from my walk in Regent’s Park today is proof that there are blue skies here in London!
However, today I checked the weather report for tomorrow four times today as we have a trip to Stonehenge planned for leaving in the morning…and all four times the report and week outlook has been completely different.
My London Learning from today—the weather report changes every 2-3 hours, so don’t trust it and always take your umbrella with you!
Weekend Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, 2010
An Adventure Outside of London
It was a lovely Saturday (said with a British Accent) visiting Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath, England.
Let’s start with Windsor.
Windsor is one of the oldest castles that is still a working castle. It was founded by William the Conqueror and has been home to 39 royal monarchs, including the current, HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
Immediately upon our arrival I looked towards the flag, and yes it was the Royal Standard! The Queen was in residence during our visit, as she is often at Windsor on weekends and at least twice a year (East and in June).
Our visit to the castle included a tour of the immaculate grounds, Queen Mary’s Doll’s House, the Drawing Gallery, and the State Apartment, as well as the changing of the guards. Pictures were not allowed to be taken in Queen Mary’s Doll House, the Drawing Gallery and the State Apartment—okay so 3/4th of our trip there, but here are some of the picture we did get.
Queen Mary’s Doll House was built in 1924 and was intended to be an accurate portrayal of the aristocratic house in London. The detail of the house was amazing from the tools in the gardens to the table setting in the dining room. The doll house also has both electricity and running water.
The Drawing Gallery includes pieces from the Royal Collection, which includes several drawings from Leonardo Da Vinci, Hans Holbein the Younger and Nicolas Poussin.
The State Apartments was luxurious and truly fit for a king or queen. The China Museum displayed several collections dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. The Grand Staircase showcased royal armor and weapons. Each of the rooms, such as the King’s Bedchamber, the Queen’s Ballroom, the State Dining Room, and St. George’s Hall, were decorated to the hilt with tapestries, drapery, lavish furniture, timeless artwork, painted and guilded ceilings, intricately carved woodwork, and a vast collection of valuables (vases, clocks, silver serving platters, candle sticks, and so on).
On to Stonehenge.
At over 5,000 years old, this place Rocks! Stonehenge actually begun as banks, ditches, and timber posts. Later the stones arrived and were arranged and rearranged…and today we get…
Our tour took us around the monument and along the way we had several picture opportunities, as well as met a nice elderly couple from England/Scotland who were on their first visit despite living here in England.
And ending the day with the Roman Baths.
First, the city of Bath is beautiful. We fell in love with the relaxing and calming atmosphere and are going to try to make it back for a full weekend.
Remains of the Temple Courtyard
The Sacred Spring Overflow
Also a demonstration of the Roman engineering that continues to keep the water overflowing through the complex
Carved Blocks from the pediment of the Temple of Sulis Minerva
My London Learning is a bathroom is a place for taking a bath, a restroom is a place for resting, and if you have to use it ask for the toilets—to the point! Another learning is the British do not fancy regular use of deodorant! YUCK!
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