Trip to Greenwich

On Sunday, I did a tour of Greenwich starting with a boat ride from Tower Hill to Greenwich. It was a really nice day- lots of people out and about as it's Mother's Day in the UK.

A view of the former Royal Naval College- you can see Canary Wharf in the background

Another view looking toward Queen's House

Queen's House- built for Queen Anne- wife of James the first

A view of the Painted Hall in one of the buildings

A more detailed view

Not in Greenwich- some flowers in St James Park

More Flowers in St James's Park

Flowers marking the spot on Tower Hill where people got their heads chopped off!

Victoria and Albert Museum

On Sunday, I went to the V&A (Victoria and Albert) to see a special exhibition they have on - Magnificance of the Tsars. It was really cool, I even saw the coronation robe of Nicholas II. I've been to the V&A several times but thought I would take a few pictures- not allowed in the Tsars though.

Fountain in the courtyard- still a but chilly but several kids were playing in it.
Detail of the building

Painting of Victoria and Albert opening the Great Exhibition- the children are Vicky and Bertie

An example of some tiles from the Middle East

A cast model of the effigy of Eleanor of Aquataine- she's buried in France

One of the cast courts- most were actually made in the 1600 and 1700s

The other cast court- currently undergoing restoration- kind of cool to see the exhibits all boxed up, etc.

Royal Witches and Sorcery

On Saturday, I did a tour that was on witchcraft and sorcery among the various Royal Families over the centuries. Everyone from William the Conquerer to Henry the VIII to James I had connections to witchcraft some way or another. It was a lot of fun- it was a new walk for the guide who said she had enough material for two walks on the subject!!

The Henry VII chapel-both his mother and mother in law were charged with witchcraft- by Richard III (the hunchback) so probably politically motivated
The Dean's Yard in Westminster Abbey- several queens sought sanctuary here

An angel on the back of the Abbey

A few flowers are blooming- these are in St James's Park

A bouquet of flowers at Westminster Abbey

Statue of the Queen Mum with George VI in the background (her husband)- not suggesting that she ever dabbled in witchcraft- it's a new statue opened this week by the Queen on the Mall

An engraving just below the statue- the Queen Mum with some corgis!