August 27 through September 1, 2022
Alternative blog title credits to Art ... though there will probably to be a part 3 also, since there's so much to see and do in this country! I am likely to drive myself crazy trying to fit it all in but then Art reminds me that I can't fit it all in and that's okay. I've prioritized sights I missed from my previous visits and managed to fit in enough of them. And there's always next time 😊
Theater: we got to see 3 shows this time, Frozen, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Ride (plus Art saw 101 Dalmatians as well - he might have been the only audience member without a kid in tow 😅). We liked them all in varying degrees (my favorite was Mockingbird). I did think it was funny (odd) that at the beginning of Frozen, they asked the audience NOT to sing along 😕 Side note: I do think they should outlaw cellophane wrapping on their pick-n-mix candies in the theater!
Sights: I took a side trip to Dover Castle, the White Cliffs, and Canterbury Cathedral. I amazed myself with how little I know of British history and churches and archbishops 😏. The cathedral itself was quite spectacular and amazingly intact, given that parts of it are over 1400 years old. I am also happy to report the white cliffs are still at Dover and are still white. (I thought briefly about captioning them on Instagram with "the cliffs are all white" but wasn't sure how the joke would go over 😂.) We also wandered along the Thames at night (summer nights in London are pretty perfect), visited the colorful Notting Hill neighborhood (as seen in many a British movie, such as Love Actually), and straddled the Prime Meridian line in Greenwich (see below for the awesome photo caption). We happened to be in London for their August bank holiday which was exciting even if we never quite figured out if that meant things would be crowded or empty. It didn't affect us much since that Monday was mostly downtime for us 😉.
Moments: We had a traditional Sunday roast dinner (verrry British) at a pub last weekend (it was aight 😐). I revisited the Tate Museum for a minute trying to see the Infinity Room exhibit (no luck, sold out for weeks), and I even managed to visit a London Toastmasters club (which amazingly turned out to the very one I had visited early in our last sabbatical).
Lodging: Our Airbnb has been interestingly filled with old-world charm and quirks. I'm guessing they can't put in normal faucets because it's an antique home (maybe?) but the modern shower and claw tub worked great and was wonderful after a long day of walking. (Speaking of walking, I am getting my 10K steps just about every day, but I do miss walking with my friends, especially Betsy). The washing machine in our Airbnb is in the kitchen and the dryer is a whole room away (why??) but at least they work and they actually dry the clothes (I'm looking at you, Croatia 👀). The wifi is flaky and only strong in the living room, but if you connect to it in the living room and tiptoe very slowly to the bedroom (and don't breathe), it holds the signal 😊
Art struggled with a cold/cough all week (not Covid!) but luckily it didn't interfere with his checking out the backgammon scene one night 😂 And fingers crossed, I haven't gotten sick yet (and yes, I will continue to be the only person wearing a mask on the tube). I honestly worry less about health and safety, and much more about dropping or losing my phone while trying to catch the perfect photo 📸 I do backup my photos but losing my phone would be a real pain at this point! (Other fears include not fitting into my clothes but that's a whole different blog.)
Tomorrow I'm heading to Stratford-upon-Avon to see some Shakespeare while Art continues on to his backgammon tournament in Laemington Spa (in central-ish England), then I'll be checking out the Yorkshire Dales (and Oxford for a hot minute to visit my friend Veera). More photos coming soon!
Deena and Art
"I've looked at clouds from both sides now..."
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