April 6
After a very bumpy ride to London, we arrived to take a stroll a few blocks from our hotel in the waterloo district to be awed by the sheer size and over-the-top gothic structures of Big Ben, the Parliament building attached, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye (ferris wheel along the Thames (pronounced "tems"
We had struggles getting used to walking to the left, especially on/the moving walkways, which were stand to the left and pass on the right.
We knew we were in England when we heard words such as "bits," lift" for elevator, "brollies" or umbrella, and "tosser" for an insult.
Tonight, we have an evening walking tour, dinner at a pub, followed by a cruise on the Thames.
After a very bumpy ride to London, we arrived to take a stroll a few blocks from our hotel in the waterloo district to be awed by the sheer size and over-the-top gothic structures of Big Ben, the Parliament building attached, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye (ferris wheel along the Thames (pronounced "tems"
We had struggles getting used to walking to the left, especially on/the moving walkways, which were stand to the left and pass on the right.
We knew we were in England when we heard words such as "bits," lift" for elevator, "brollies" or umbrella, and "tosser" for an insult.
Tonight, we have an evening walking tour, dinner at a pub, followed by a cruise on the Thames.
April 8: Bath and Stonehenge during eclipse
We started our day with a “full English breakfast.” Even though we didn’t eat it, the buffet at the hotel offered it, which means, eggs, bacon and sausage, black pudding, grilled tomatoes, cheeses, breads and pork and beans. We chose yogurt and fruit-/ Tom added granola and a pastry. The drinks were made with a cappuccino machine.
Then it was off to Stonehenge and Bath, with our bus driver and guide Myrion and Julian.
Julian kept us informed the whole way with a large dose of British humor, starting with
Arch bishop of Canterbury, the Palace of Westminster and Millennium wheel. He explained the Wheel, aka, the London Eye, was supposed to be a 12 month temporary exhibit, but it has lasted.
He explained about sugar companies: Tate, Lyle and silver spoon sugar— two were built on slavery in Caribbean. Silver spoon sugar is derived from beets, which was to undermine slavery. The other two stuck with cane sugar even to this day.
We had more traffic than normal due to a rail strike.
The Thames (pronounced “ tems”) is a Tidal River, so levels change. It used to be very smelly too as the people flushed their “loos”or lavatories into the river. Before, waste was used as fertilizer. The Thames River was indeed a sewer, 1858 was the year of great stink. It was so bad, they built a system of sewers under streets.
Largest brick building in world. Peer station.
Plain trees.
Coal outlawed 1970s Smoke with fog. 19500s car accidents.
Parks and green space, confiscated by Henry 8 from the church and then in modern times given to the people.
Yellow brick is London brick.
“Proper”
Kangaroo alley: where aussies and kiwi
If I even hear wheels on the bus no sing along, I will push you off the ferry tomorrow
Get it “ sorted”
Rich moved up River
Windows “ app” we will be using
Q Gardens —samples from Darwin .
Dual carriages
Metric but mph and pints in the pub
Hawthorn hedges—natural barbed wire
Stone henge burial mounds 2.5 -4.5 thousands bc 1850 bc
No food waste here: animal bones etc
Avon, aven
Bath. Bath stone is Yellow sandstone. Fireplace in every room
Universal architecture in bath. All coal all soot black. Wider street than London. Resort. 1700s. Georgian architecture in bath. Christopher wren.
Ya-he-da cheers in Welsh with a guttural
We started our day with a “full English breakfast.” Even though we didn’t eat it, the buffet at the hotel offered it, which means, eggs, bacon and sausage, black pudding, grilled tomatoes, cheeses, breads and pork and beans. We chose yogurt and fruit-/ Tom added granola and a pastry. The drinks were made with a cappuccino machine.
Then it was off to Stonehenge and Bath, with our bus driver and guide Myrion and Julian.
Julian kept us informed the whole way with a large dose of British humor, starting with
Arch bishop of Canterbury, the Palace of Westminster and Millennium wheel. He explained the Wheel, aka, the London Eye, was supposed to be a 12 month temporary exhibit, but it has lasted.
He explained about sugar companies: Tate, Lyle and silver spoon sugar— two were built on slavery in Caribbean. Silver spoon sugar is derived from beets, which was to undermine slavery. The other two stuck with cane sugar even to this day.
We had more traffic than normal due to a rail strike.
The Thames (pronounced “ tems”) is a Tidal River, so levels change. It used to be very smelly too as the people flushed their “loos”or lavatories into the river. Before, waste was used as fertilizer. The Thames River was indeed a sewer, 1858 was the year of great stink. It was so bad, they built a system of sewers under streets.
Largest brick building in world. Peer station.
Plain trees.
Coal outlawed 1970s Smoke with fog. 19500s car accidents.
Parks and green space, confiscated by Henry 8 from the church and then in modern times given to the people.
Yellow brick is London brick.
“Proper”
Kangaroo alley: where aussies and kiwi
If I even hear wheels on the bus no sing along, I will push you off the ferry tomorrow
Get it “ sorted”
Rich moved up River
Windows “ app” we will be using
Q Gardens —samples from Darwin .
Dual carriages
Metric but mph and pints in the pub
Hawthorn hedges—natural barbed wire
Stone henge burial mounds 2.5 -4.5 thousands bc 1850 bc
No food waste here: animal bones etc
Avon, aven
Bath. Bath stone is Yellow sandstone. Fireplace in every room
Universal architecture in bath. All coal all soot black. Wider street than London. Resort. 1700s. Georgian architecture in bath. Christopher wren.
Ya-he-da cheers in Welsh with a guttural
April 9: wales and Ferry to Waterford, Ireland
Red dragon is the symbol of Wales —green white flag. 3.5 million, sparsely populated. 3 million live south coast. Mountainous wilderness
Cities all are on coal hills — drove industry. The breckon beacons—mountains.
Only one ferry now due to Brexit
Cardiff, capital of Wales, built on coal, steel, port. Badly bombed during WWII, about quarter of the cost compared to living in London
White Brooklyn stone from island. Black in the 70s. Coal outlaws now
The medieval castle was refurbished by William burgess, 1850s mad as a fruitcake but brilliant. Mock medieval
Cardiff castle
Marquis of butte paid for the restoration with architect burgess
55AD Roman’s, 1066 Norman’s. Occupied since then ; interiors 150 years old
One of 15 holiday homes. Isle of butte
5 languages. $795 pounds per hour
Electricity before buckingham palace, flushing toilets, hot running water.
Sheep
Surfing due to winds.
Temperate all year
Women of fish guard, last armed battle
Then we took a 4 hour ferry, which was two-hours late, so they gave us each a five pound note to get something to eat on board. Guide said that was the first they had done that.
. Sunny. Might have been canceled due to high winds but we made it. .
St Patrick, much more important than a parade and green beer.
Had to distinguish Irish and scotch very close
Roman Britain with st Pat. Converted the Kings to Christianity. He brought first written language. Literacy. Spiritual revival. Roman Empire collapses.
Book of Kells trinity college library
Newer country—poor before. Houses are new, unlike Wales.
“ ford” like Waterford is Viking. No Roman invasion. No Anglo Saxon. But Vikings came and raided. 880-990.
1170 first conquest of Ireland. England (Norman’s—Norseman, so Vikings again) wanted to feed armies with grain and sheep for clothing.
National park.
Waterford 1,000 years old. 1750s making intricate glass, went bust in 1850, potato family. 1950s started again.
Waterford in Poland. People were mad.
Note: The hotel where we stayed was right across from a statue of ThomasMeagher, the first territorial governor of Montana
Red dragon is the symbol of Wales —green white flag. 3.5 million, sparsely populated. 3 million live south coast. Mountainous wilderness
Cities all are on coal hills — drove industry. The breckon beacons—mountains.
Only one ferry now due to Brexit
Cardiff, capital of Wales, built on coal, steel, port. Badly bombed during WWII, about quarter of the cost compared to living in London
White Brooklyn stone from island. Black in the 70s. Coal outlaws now
The medieval castle was refurbished by William burgess, 1850s mad as a fruitcake but brilliant. Mock medieval
Cardiff castle
Marquis of butte paid for the restoration with architect burgess
55AD Roman’s, 1066 Norman’s. Occupied since then ; interiors 150 years old
One of 15 holiday homes. Isle of butte
5 languages. $795 pounds per hour
Electricity before buckingham palace, flushing toilets, hot running water.
Sheep
Surfing due to winds.
Temperate all year
Women of fish guard, last armed battle
Then we took a 4 hour ferry, which was two-hours late, so they gave us each a five pound note to get something to eat on board. Guide said that was the first they had done that.
. Sunny. Might have been canceled due to high winds but we made it. .
St Patrick, much more important than a parade and green beer.
Had to distinguish Irish and scotch very close
Roman Britain with st Pat. Converted the Kings to Christianity. He brought first written language. Literacy. Spiritual revival. Roman Empire collapses.
Book of Kells trinity college library
Newer country—poor before. Houses are new, unlike Wales.
“ ford” like Waterford is Viking. No Roman invasion. No Anglo Saxon. But Vikings came and raided. 880-990.
1170 first conquest of Ireland. England (Norman’s—Norseman, so Vikings again) wanted to feed armies with grain and sheep for clothing.
National park.
Waterford 1,000 years old. 1750s making intricate glass, went bust in 1850, potato family. 1950s started again.
Waterford in Poland. People were mad.
Note: The hotel where we stayed was right across from a statue of ThomasMeagher, the first territorial governor of Montana
Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin April 10
We visited the Waterford Crystal Factory. The company was purchased by Fiskars of scissors fame, which also Wedgwood. It was amazing to see the skilled craftsmen and women at work (only one woman out of 9 workers we saw, and she was an apprentice. ). Cutter: takes 5 years to learn the craft, three bowls test, another 3 years. Another 8 years for blowing
Colored glass is done in Slovenia
Molds made with beechwood —molds last 7 bowls
Pear wood for stem wear
Some iron molds too, which can last 50 years.
The glasses ran around 200£ each for stemware; bowls were used very 1,000£
We walked to cathedral but it wasn’t open, so we went into a Franciscan church that was.
Then it was on to Kilkenny to tour a medieval castle and cathedral, walk along the River Sure.
Thatch growing in the river Suir, pronounced “shure”
A weedy, thorny bush used to create hedgerow fences is Yellow flowered western gorse.
No snakes in Ireland. St Patrick led them to the sea with his bell. Lol
Kilkenny best preserved medieval town in Ireland.
Then it was a two-hour drive to Dublin. After checking into the hotel, we visited the Irish Emigrant Museum—it was fantastic, and highlighted all the major exoduses of the Irish people, the most modern being 1950s, when no one could find work. We really felt for the Irish people, but at the end, the museum displays pointed out all the people from around the world with Irish blood from JFK to Obama and Biden. The museum was quite interactive. A side note, a former owner of Coca Cola built the museum.
We visited the Waterford Crystal Factory. The company was purchased by Fiskars of scissors fame, which also Wedgwood. It was amazing to see the skilled craftsmen and women at work (only one woman out of 9 workers we saw, and she was an apprentice. ). Cutter: takes 5 years to learn the craft, three bowls test, another 3 years. Another 8 years for blowing
Colored glass is done in Slovenia
Molds made with beechwood —molds last 7 bowls
Pear wood for stem wear
Some iron molds too, which can last 50 years.
The glasses ran around 200£ each for stemware; bowls were used very 1,000£
We walked to cathedral but it wasn’t open, so we went into a Franciscan church that was.
Then it was on to Kilkenny to tour a medieval castle and cathedral, walk along the River Sure.
Thatch growing in the river Suir, pronounced “shure”
A weedy, thorny bush used to create hedgerow fences is Yellow flowered western gorse.
No snakes in Ireland. St Patrick led them to the sea with his bell. Lol
Kilkenny best preserved medieval town in Ireland.
Then it was a two-hour drive to Dublin. After checking into the hotel, we visited the Irish Emigrant Museum—it was fantastic, and highlighted all the major exoduses of the Irish people, the most modern being 1950s, when no one could find work. We really felt for the Irish people, but at the end, the museum displays pointed out all the people from around the world with Irish blood from JFK to Obama and Biden. The museum was quite interactive. A side note, a former owner of Coca Cola built the museum.
April 11 Dublin
we had a bus tour of the city; then we visited St Pats and Christ Church cathedrals, the National Museum, The Book of Kells and Long Room library at Trinity College, the National Gallery and finished with dinner at Quays (pronounced “ keys”) Pub.
we saw the ship Jeanne Johnson reconstruction showing the potato famine, politics (people driven from good land) , economics and natural disaster with potato blight.
The River Liffey runs through the town, so people settled on the rivers because they no longer needed to use donkeys to haul goods. However, No ships go up river now. The swing bridge (harp shaped) rarely opens. Richer people moved up river to avoid sewage. So the ship yards fell into disrepair, now redone. Ireland offers tax advantage so Google etc have European offices here.
Prices starting to mirror London, so it’s gotten prosperous quickly. But architecture is not noteworthy. Samuel Becket swing bridge looks like a harp.
6,000 years old fish traps found in the mud when constructing the conference center. We saw these in the National museum. yet some still claim the Viking discovered Ireland. First written letters following St Patrick, 1st century ad
Norse settled here along the river, but they certainly weren’t the first. Didn’t go through Industrial Revolution. Just agriculture to tech, so no Money until recent times. Therefore, no historic architecture.
The custom house (checked you in) oldest building of historical significance. Brits built it. And flew the British Union (empire) flag.
Millennium spire, 3 million euros and finished in 2002. No purpose.
Man so important. : Daniel O’Connell. 1829, got rid of anti- Catholic laws. Statue. Catholicism outlawed before that. So not loyal, might align with France, Italy, Spain.
Demolishe everything to make wide streets in brick and stone. No medieval left to prevent disease and fires like London. Get rid of rats.
Trinity Protestant and another Catholic. Changed now
Georgian Ireland flats now. Very plain
Can’t watch Life of Brian, etc due to Catholic country. Two cathedral, both Protestant —st pats and Christ Church.
Guinness family keeps st Patrick’s cathedral afloat so statue of him out front. Both are Protestant now since Henry VIII confiscated from
catholics and stripped of gold, statues and ornamentation.
we had a bus tour of the city; then we visited St Pats and Christ Church cathedrals, the National Museum, The Book of Kells and Long Room library at Trinity College, the National Gallery and finished with dinner at Quays (pronounced “ keys”) Pub.
we saw the ship Jeanne Johnson reconstruction showing the potato famine, politics (people driven from good land) , economics and natural disaster with potato blight.
The River Liffey runs through the town, so people settled on the rivers because they no longer needed to use donkeys to haul goods. However, No ships go up river now. The swing bridge (harp shaped) rarely opens. Richer people moved up river to avoid sewage. So the ship yards fell into disrepair, now redone. Ireland offers tax advantage so Google etc have European offices here.
Prices starting to mirror London, so it’s gotten prosperous quickly. But architecture is not noteworthy. Samuel Becket swing bridge looks like a harp.
6,000 years old fish traps found in the mud when constructing the conference center. We saw these in the National museum. yet some still claim the Viking discovered Ireland. First written letters following St Patrick, 1st century ad
Norse settled here along the river, but they certainly weren’t the first. Didn’t go through Industrial Revolution. Just agriculture to tech, so no Money until recent times. Therefore, no historic architecture.
The custom house (checked you in) oldest building of historical significance. Brits built it. And flew the British Union (empire) flag.
Millennium spire, 3 million euros and finished in 2002. No purpose.
Man so important. : Daniel O’Connell. 1829, got rid of anti- Catholic laws. Statue. Catholicism outlawed before that. So not loyal, might align with France, Italy, Spain.
Demolishe everything to make wide streets in brick and stone. No medieval left to prevent disease and fires like London. Get rid of rats.
Trinity Protestant and another Catholic. Changed now
Georgian Ireland flats now. Very plain
Can’t watch Life of Brian, etc due to Catholic country. Two cathedral, both Protestant —st pats and Christ Church.
Guinness family keeps st Patrick’s cathedral afloat so statue of him out front. Both are Protestant now since Henry VIII confiscated from
catholics and stripped of gold, statues and ornamentation.
April 12 Edinburgh
it was a full day. We had a morning tour with our guide of the city and a tour of the castle, complete with dungeon tales, including holding prisoners there during the World Wars, even American prisoners, one of whom carved the Stars and Stripes into a wooden door. .
Then we we visited Holyrood Abbey and palace, a working palace to this day. Elizabeth was lying in state in one of the rooms for a while. But it is most famous for Mary Queen of Scots and a murder that happened there.
we also visited the Natural History Museum, which was wonderful but too full of kids due to its being a weekend. Then the art museum. Was it world class! It even had Rafael’s and a Leonardo. A few impressionists such ans Degas and Monet, Pizarro and Van Gogh. Lots of Venetian painters: Titian and veronesse. .
then we climbed the Salisbury Crag and on to Arthur’s Seat, sometimes called King Arthur’s seat. It was a scramble for sure on wet rocks without hiking poles. We had great views of the sea and town, but we got rained on and oh, the wind.
full day.
notes
Edinburgh
Georgian style architecture. More here than anywhere else. Scottish parliament here.
Queen charlottes square (wife of George 3)
Alexander graham bell born near the square.
Original lights. Not lighted by gas or electricity, but whale oil.
Home of Robert Louis Stephenson
Sir Walter scott monument. Is largest to a writer at 200 meters
Charles Darwin educated here.
Bobby famous dog.
Queen Margaret part is the only original 1060. Very devout lady
Castle had largest gun in the world. Shoot cannonball 2 miles
it was a full day. We had a morning tour with our guide of the city and a tour of the castle, complete with dungeon tales, including holding prisoners there during the World Wars, even American prisoners, one of whom carved the Stars and Stripes into a wooden door. .
Then we we visited Holyrood Abbey and palace, a working palace to this day. Elizabeth was lying in state in one of the rooms for a while. But it is most famous for Mary Queen of Scots and a murder that happened there.
we also visited the Natural History Museum, which was wonderful but too full of kids due to its being a weekend. Then the art museum. Was it world class! It even had Rafael’s and a Leonardo. A few impressionists such ans Degas and Monet, Pizarro and Van Gogh. Lots of Venetian painters: Titian and veronesse. .
then we climbed the Salisbury Crag and on to Arthur’s Seat, sometimes called King Arthur’s seat. It was a scramble for sure on wet rocks without hiking poles. We had great views of the sea and town, but we got rained on and oh, the wind.
full day.
notes
Edinburgh
Georgian style architecture. More here than anywhere else. Scottish parliament here.
Queen charlottes square (wife of George 3)
Alexander graham bell born near the square.
Original lights. Not lighted by gas or electricity, but whale oil.
Home of Robert Louis Stephenson
Sir Walter scott monument. Is largest to a writer at 200 meters
Charles Darwin educated here.
Bobby famous dog.
Queen Margaret part is the only original 1060. Very devout lady
Castle had largest gun in the world. Shoot cannonball 2 miles
April 14. from Scotland to York, England
We enjoyed the countryside, stopped at the border and Hadrian’s wall. In York, we visited the remaining turret of the castle, enjoyed the Viking museum and saw some of the 40,000 artifacts they found, including shoes and socks, at this site and then walked the old wall back to our hotel.
notes:
Farmers are tenant farmers. Do not own. Aristocracy owns land, the Duke of this earl of that. Same with hunting and fishing. Wealthy landowners. So they go shooting. They feed the animals. Only owners can hunt or fish on their land.
Can keep one fish.
Sheep everywhere. Twin lambs. More north, still pregnant as they want them born later when it’s warmer.
North imberland into the Roman portion south. I conquered by Roman above when Hadrian drew a line and created a wall for edge of Rome. 122 AD
The land above wasn’t good for farming. Too rocky and cold.
Hadrians wall has been dismantled. Used for rocks but here and there. Don’t expect an intact wall.
Yew plantings. Hardwoods are all staked.
Lots off off-shore wind turbines, producing 40%. Thousands of turbines. Some put into the bog lands.
Planted conifers —not native, so not deep roots. They blow over in the winds. now trying native hardwoods.
York named after Norse conqueror. Looked like London before the fire. Narrow streets, wood houses. Walk and explore.
No highway patrol. All automated cameras. Going too fast, it snaps pictures of you.
Jedburgh is where the cistercians farmed and got rich. River Jed. Given to Duke of backoo and Duke of So monasteries removed. Lead windows destroyed and lead melted down. But buildings kept in place and churches remained in tact. Windowless.
Kept the name Abbey confiscated from church, like Downten Abbey, during King Henry 8 reign
Cheviot hills in Scotland
Crossed over to England. Big rock marking the border.
Moors everywhere. Scotland and northern England. Hounds of Baskerville. Hide bodies etc. lol
Dry stone Waller. Can do two yards of wall a day. No mortar.
122-400 Roman rule. Then no government wall was sacked. Houses built out of the rocks.
Hadrians wall 1600 years of vandalism. It was 74.5 miles across England.
We enjoyed the countryside, stopped at the border and Hadrian’s wall. In York, we visited the remaining turret of the castle, enjoyed the Viking museum and saw some of the 40,000 artifacts they found, including shoes and socks, at this site and then walked the old wall back to our hotel.
notes:
Farmers are tenant farmers. Do not own. Aristocracy owns land, the Duke of this earl of that. Same with hunting and fishing. Wealthy landowners. So they go shooting. They feed the animals. Only owners can hunt or fish on their land.
Can keep one fish.
Sheep everywhere. Twin lambs. More north, still pregnant as they want them born later when it’s warmer.
North imberland into the Roman portion south. I conquered by Roman above when Hadrian drew a line and created a wall for edge of Rome. 122 AD
The land above wasn’t good for farming. Too rocky and cold.
Hadrians wall has been dismantled. Used for rocks but here and there. Don’t expect an intact wall.
Yew plantings. Hardwoods are all staked.
Lots off off-shore wind turbines, producing 40%. Thousands of turbines. Some put into the bog lands.
Planted conifers —not native, so not deep roots. They blow over in the winds. now trying native hardwoods.
York named after Norse conqueror. Looked like London before the fire. Narrow streets, wood houses. Walk and explore.
No highway patrol. All automated cameras. Going too fast, it snaps pictures of you.
Jedburgh is where the cistercians farmed and got rich. River Jed. Given to Duke of backoo and Duke of So monasteries removed. Lead windows destroyed and lead melted down. But buildings kept in place and churches remained in tact. Windowless.
Kept the name Abbey confiscated from church, like Downten Abbey, during King Henry 8 reign
Cheviot hills in Scotland
Crossed over to England. Big rock marking the border.
Moors everywhere. Scotland and northern England. Hounds of Baskerville. Hide bodies etc. lol
Dry stone Waller. Can do two yards of wall a day. No mortar.
122-400 Roman rule. Then no government wall was sacked. Houses built out of the rocks.
Hadrians wall 1600 years of vandalism. It was 74.5 miles across England.
April 15– York back to London with stop in Stratford on Avon and Hadrian’s Wall
we traveled back to London with a stop to see an in tact stretch of Hadrian’s Wall ( and walk on it) and then visit Ann Hathaway’s house (Shakespeare’s wife) and the home where Shakespeare was born and lived.
upon arriving in London, we needed a walk, so we headed to buckingham palace via James Garden. We took in the guards and Wueen Victoria’s monument before walking the Mall ( pronounced with a short “ a”) and crossing the Thames on the Junilee bridge. Then we walked the through the graffiti tunnel and had dinner. We faced showers and even stinging hail. But none of the squalls lasted long.
we traveled back to London with a stop to see an in tact stretch of Hadrian’s Wall ( and walk on it) and then visit Ann Hathaway’s house (Shakespeare’s wife) and the home where Shakespeare was born and lived.
upon arriving in London, we needed a walk, so we headed to buckingham palace via James Garden. We took in the guards and Wueen Victoria’s monument before walking the Mall ( pronounced with a short “ a”) and crossing the Thames on the Junilee bridge. Then we walked the through the graffiti tunnel and had dinner. We faced showers and even stinging hail. But none of the squalls lasted long.
April 16
Visited the Tate modern and saw amazing art from Diego Rivera to Mondrian to Lichtenstein to Warhol.
Saw the Globe theater and a copy of the first Folio. The original theater was burned by the puritans in the 1600s, but Queen Elizabeth commissioned the rebuilding in the 1990s.
Two boys disappeared, possibly by their uncle king Richard 3. They vanished. No bodies found 1483. Charges 3 might permit exhume if some are the princes. Found 200 years after the disappearance. Elizabeth said let the children rest in peace. They were her ancestors after all.
Killing his nephews did jo good as he was killed by an axe in battle not long after.
Walked through the castle where the children were. They were there for their own safety, not as prisoners. The mother wouldn’t have handed over to him if she suspected he would murder them. The White Queen.
Two of six wives of Henry 8 died here: Kathryn Howard and anne Boleyn. Adultery. Boleyn also incest and witchcraft. She was framed by Cromwell. Said she laughed when he fell off horse. However, she was so distressed she went into premature labor and had a stillborn son. Still did not have an heir then. It was a “ bad” sign.
The crowns in the Crown Jewels are not insured against theft. Hidden in the hills of south wales from Hitler. He stole Bohemia and others and never found. Value is 20 billion pounds.
Two of the crowns worn by Charles during coronation. One is worn by each ruler just once: during coronation.
The beefeaters guard the jewels, personal to the royalty, now King Charles 3. Now 3 women. They are officially retired army. They live in the tower fortress with families. They guard 24 -7. They lock up with the ceremonial key. Beefeater is slang. King allowed them to eat at his table, so are the rare foods, like beef.
There used to be wild animals such as elephants, polar bears and lions in the Kings menagerie. Trap door to the lions if stranger tried to get in. Then the moat, then the byword or password gate. Changing of the word, every 24 hours still to this day.
After that, two more layers of defense, sand and hot oil. Never successfully attacked. But was breached from with inside helped.
The Traiters gate. In a boat before executed. Lady Jane gray as well as Boleyn and Howard
Torture didn’t usually take place. People saw the instruments of torture and talked quickly. But guy fawlkes was put on the rack for three days before he did about the plot to murder king James.
Henry 6 was murdered at the tower from war of the roses. Do t know he did it but likely cousins or other relatives, someone with access.
The tower keeps ravens even today. They fly during day but return to cages at night for food. Their lifting feathers are cut on one wings so they can’t fly too high.
The white tower is oldest part during Norman times. Built over an artesian well. Henry 8 armor is inside. His waist was 53”
The Crown Jewels you see today are jewels post 1660 as Oliver Cromwell melted originals to pay army. (Wasn’t allowed to take photos)
It was still a prison during WWII so German prisoners, high ranking, rudolf Hess. Mostly double agents were housed here. One time, the Nazi’s Direct hit injured 38 beefeaters, and 22 were killed.
Visited the Tate modern and saw amazing art from Diego Rivera to Mondrian to Lichtenstein to Warhol.
Saw the Globe theater and a copy of the first Folio. The original theater was burned by the puritans in the 1600s, but Queen Elizabeth commissioned the rebuilding in the 1990s.
Two boys disappeared, possibly by their uncle king Richard 3. They vanished. No bodies found 1483. Charges 3 might permit exhume if some are the princes. Found 200 years after the disappearance. Elizabeth said let the children rest in peace. They were her ancestors after all.
Killing his nephews did jo good as he was killed by an axe in battle not long after.
Walked through the castle where the children were. They were there for their own safety, not as prisoners. The mother wouldn’t have handed over to him if she suspected he would murder them. The White Queen.
Two of six wives of Henry 8 died here: Kathryn Howard and anne Boleyn. Adultery. Boleyn also incest and witchcraft. She was framed by Cromwell. Said she laughed when he fell off horse. However, she was so distressed she went into premature labor and had a stillborn son. Still did not have an heir then. It was a “ bad” sign.
The crowns in the Crown Jewels are not insured against theft. Hidden in the hills of south wales from Hitler. He stole Bohemia and others and never found. Value is 20 billion pounds.
Two of the crowns worn by Charles during coronation. One is worn by each ruler just once: during coronation.
The beefeaters guard the jewels, personal to the royalty, now King Charles 3. Now 3 women. They are officially retired army. They live in the tower fortress with families. They guard 24 -7. They lock up with the ceremonial key. Beefeater is slang. King allowed them to eat at his table, so are the rare foods, like beef.
There used to be wild animals such as elephants, polar bears and lions in the Kings menagerie. Trap door to the lions if stranger tried to get in. Then the moat, then the byword or password gate. Changing of the word, every 24 hours still to this day.
After that, two more layers of defense, sand and hot oil. Never successfully attacked. But was breached from with inside helped.
The Traiters gate. In a boat before executed. Lady Jane gray as well as Boleyn and Howard
Torture didn’t usually take place. People saw the instruments of torture and talked quickly. But guy fawlkes was put on the rack for three days before he did about the plot to murder king James.
Henry 6 was murdered at the tower from war of the roses. Do t know he did it but likely cousins or other relatives, someone with access.
The tower keeps ravens even today. They fly during day but return to cages at night for food. Their lifting feathers are cut on one wings so they can’t fly too high.
The white tower is oldest part during Norman times. Built over an artesian well. Henry 8 armor is inside. His waist was 53”
The Crown Jewels you see today are jewels post 1660 as Oliver Cromwell melted originals to pay army. (Wasn’t allowed to take photos)
It was still a prison during WWII so German prisoners, high ranking, rudolf Hess. Mostly double agents were housed here. One time, the Nazi’s Direct hit injured 38 beefeaters, and 22 were killed.
April 17
This was our longest day. We visited the national gallery/-amazing artwork with so many masterpieces, followed by Westminster Abbey, which had not only just about every Queen, king, prime minister as well as other royals and their friends but also famous people such as scientists. Sir Isaac newton, Kelvin, Watt, Darwin to name a few. Then we made it to the British museum to view the Elgin marbles, taken from the Parthenon. We also saw some of the Egyptian and a few other galleries before it closed. The amazing thing about these museums and galleries is that they are all free. The cathedrals and the abbey are not. They run £20-35 pounds. Then after a quick dinner at a Lebanese restaurant (food was okay), we headed to the theater to see the Book of Mormon. You could tell it was written by the guys who did South Park. Too crude for me. But the lead singer was excellent —acting, singing and dancing. We caught a cab back instead of trying the underground at night. Very nice cabbie who gave us some tips.
This was our longest day. We visited the national gallery/-amazing artwork with so many masterpieces, followed by Westminster Abbey, which had not only just about every Queen, king, prime minister as well as other royals and their friends but also famous people such as scientists. Sir Isaac newton, Kelvin, Watt, Darwin to name a few. Then we made it to the British museum to view the Elgin marbles, taken from the Parthenon. We also saw some of the Egyptian and a few other galleries before it closed. The amazing thing about these museums and galleries is that they are all free. The cathedrals and the abbey are not. They run £20-35 pounds. Then after a quick dinner at a Lebanese restaurant (food was okay), we headed to the theater to see the Book of Mormon. You could tell it was written by the guys who did South Park. Too crude for me. But the lead singer was excellent —acting, singing and dancing. We caught a cab back instead of trying the underground at night. Very nice cabbie who gave us some tips.
April 18:
We visited the Victoria and Albert museum, again unbelievable collection, including casts of famous statues such as the David and the Trajan column, so those who can’t travel can see them and study them. The gem collection was amazing as was the art and sculptures from around the world, even ancient Persian rugs, pottery and glasswork from Roman times.
We walked through Hyde Park coming and going. We saw Diana’s fountain and briefly stopped in Harrod’s department store, but it was a noisy mob scene despite it taking up about 5 blocks. It’s huge!
We toured Kensington palace and learned about Victorias life, and some of the other kings and queens who lived there. Victoria’s statue is there and at Buckingham. She was born and grew up at Kensington.
We also saw King Albert’s memorial and his music hall.
We visited the Victoria and Albert museum, again unbelievable collection, including casts of famous statues such as the David and the Trajan column, so those who can’t travel can see them and study them. The gem collection was amazing as was the art and sculptures from around the world, even ancient Persian rugs, pottery and glasswork from Roman times.
We walked through Hyde Park coming and going. We saw Diana’s fountain and briefly stopped in Harrod’s department store, but it was a noisy mob scene despite it taking up about 5 blocks. It’s huge!
We toured Kensington palace and learned about Victorias life, and some of the other kings and queens who lived there. Victoria’s statue is there and at Buckingham. She was born and grew up at Kensington.
We also saw King Albert’s memorial and his music hall.
April 19
Another day of More amazing museums: imperial war museum, natural history museum and science museum.
the war museum was shocking but fantastic. The WWI area took us two hours to cover. The WwIi we did a cursory tour as loud obnoxious buses of students were milling about. But we spent another hour on the Holocaust floor. It rivaled the other museums we have seen. Very emotional. Overall, it was interesting to see the World Wars from Britain’s perspective, especially the view of the USA positions on neutrality. Always good to see from another perspective.
then we visited the Natural history museum back by the Victoria and Albert area in Kensington. We took the underground again. It sped us right there. We only touched a small potion of this museum as our legs were getting tired: birds and dinosaurs and extinct animals. We walked through part of the gems and then had a 45 minutes until closing to walk through the first floor of the Science museum next door. We saw the space exhibit, complete with info on NASA moon landings with a full-scale lunar module and real Soyez capsule that a British astronaut had flown in. Then a quick jaunt to floor three to see the mechanical and communications age items with old telegraphs, telephones and early computers as well as steam engines.
interesting tidbit: more people were killed in factories for the German v2 bomb than killed by the bomb.
Another day of More amazing museums: imperial war museum, natural history museum and science museum.
the war museum was shocking but fantastic. The WWI area took us two hours to cover. The WwIi we did a cursory tour as loud obnoxious buses of students were milling about. But we spent another hour on the Holocaust floor. It rivaled the other museums we have seen. Very emotional. Overall, it was interesting to see the World Wars from Britain’s perspective, especially the view of the USA positions on neutrality. Always good to see from another perspective.
then we visited the Natural history museum back by the Victoria and Albert area in Kensington. We took the underground again. It sped us right there. We only touched a small potion of this museum as our legs were getting tired: birds and dinosaurs and extinct animals. We walked through part of the gems and then had a 45 minutes until closing to walk through the first floor of the Science museum next door. We saw the space exhibit, complete with info on NASA moon landings with a full-scale lunar module and real Soyez capsule that a British astronaut had flown in. Then a quick jaunt to floor three to see the mechanical and communications age items with old telegraphs, telephones and early computers as well as steam engines.
interesting tidbit: more people were killed in factories for the German v2 bomb than killed by the bomb.
- April 17
April 19
