Phase 10 -- Phases of Living in London -- Experiences
Hedging our Bets at Hampton Court Palace
Dashing through the UK's oldest surviving hedge maze to discover the winding way out was quite the fun venture! Justin, Elise and I discovered confusing and interesting twists, dead ends and turn-abouts as we scurried through the trapezoid-shaped, 1/3 acre, green puzzle. Alternating leaders, we eventually did emerge victorious with some good laughs enjoyed.
Palace exploration was fascinating as we wandered the expansive and elaborately decorated past home of former residents such as King Henry VIII, James I, Charles I, William III, Mary II. Queen Victoria had it opened to the public in 1838.
"It is perhaps easiest to think of Hampton Court as the 'story of two palaces': a Tudor palace established by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and made even more magnificent by Henry III, alongside a baroque palace built by William III and Mary II." (from the Historic Royal Palaces official web site).
Hampton Court's history spans 500 years and it is England's oldest Tudor palace.
Highlights: England's last medieval hall covered with amazing tapestries, the cavernous kitchens constructed to prepare 1,200 meals daily for Henry VIII's court, the Chapel Royal (which has been used for over 450 years), gorgeous and manicured gardens complete with fountains and foot paths, paintings, re-creations of court life in costume dress and displays and the elaborate apartments of Henry VIII.
It was a grand wander through a privileged past.
Play It Again! . . . Les Miserables
One of our favorite plays ever is "Les Miserables" and it was fantastic to see such an excellent production on the West End with J and E, and Mike. The show is a captivating story of "unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption -- a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit." (from Les Miserables web site). It's said over 70 million people in 43 countries have seen the show and it's billed as the world's longest running musical.
The Queen's Theater's seemingly smaller-than-usual stage used a turning, center-stage circle to create the feeling of movement and expanded space. It was quite amazing how they created the world of that place in time, enhanced by exquisite voices and a story and score for the ages in that amount of room. The show did not disappoint and afterwards we sang every song for weeks (and sounded almost ??? as good! haha!).
Tea Time
Oh my! Was tea time at the Hotel Cafe Royal a decadent treat! The room's Louis XVI over-the-top gold and gilded detailing set the backdrop for a delicious feast. We noshed on bits like wild boar/crackling/pickled apple on a caraway bun, a prawn with smoked Spanish paprika and baby gem lettuce, a melt-in-your-mouth palate cleansing marshmallow, scones, clotted cream and lemon curd (my favorite! Just bring me a big bowl and a spoon -- scones are optional! ;) ), croquet Monsieur, blueberry and poppy seed cake, etc., etc. Herbal teas choices were triple mint, lemongrass & ginger and red berry & hibiscus. We were stuffed and smiling -- if not waddling -- on our way out!
Established in 1865, this room hosted Oscar Wilde and friends daily where they discussed ideas of the day. It is billed as "the space where great minds came together to change the world." Don't know about that, but it changed our waistlines!
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