London III: Two Palaces and a Pub

My study abroad program sets up two weekends of excursions. This weekend we went to Hampton Court Palace, Oxford, and Windsor Palace. When we went to Hampton Court Palace on Friday, it was raining and in the 40s (basically miserable), but on Saturday and Sunday it was sunny and reached the 60s. It was perfect, but I can tell we’re becoming a bit more like the locals because we complained about the sun ruining some of our pictures. British pessimism. 

Hampton Court Palace is gigantic. I only saw the kitchens (where we huddled next to a massive fire), some of the apartments, the grand hall, the chapel, and the maze. We missed about six other major sections. Henry VIII is perhaps the most well-known occupant of the palace. I opted for the theatrical audio tour, so I got to pretend I was visiting the palace during Henry VIII's reign as I walked the halls wearing a cloak. (Yes, a cloak. It helped me stay warm.) My guide showed me where they forgot to remove a decoration with Henry and Anne's initials intertwined. I felt privy to their secrets.

My first look at Hampton Court Palace

My this-place-looks-like-Pemberly moment and my places-like-this-exist moment. 

Unicorns are fierce palace guards.

The next morning we awoke to sunshine and the promise of 60+ degree weather. We didn't think anything could bring us down until we realized that the refectory didn't serve breakfast that day until after we had to leave to catch our train. That was a bit of a downer. But Oxford awaited.

Oxford is an amazing city. Our tour guide constantly threw out things like "Oh, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien loved that pub (The Eagle and Child)," "Lewis Carroll got most of his inspiration for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland from people in this town," and "Samuel Johnson went to school here." No big deal, guys. They all walked these streets, but it's not a big deal. He also mentioned that the bicyclists are known as "the whispering death."

After touring the city, we visited The Eagle and Child (where I discovered that I do not, in fact, enjoy smoked salmon), an exhibit at the library with original drawings by Lewis and Tolkien (the rest of the library was closed by time we got there), and Christ Church (where we pretended to be sorted into houses in the hall that inspired Hogwarts' Great Hall).

I need everyone to pause and appreciate the sun for a moment.

Part of Christ Church          The Inklings' Pub

We stumbled upon a choir singing at Christ Church. 

This video is worth your time.

It was still gorgeous on Sunday when we visited Windsor Castle. I even had to wear sunglasses. I didn't realize how old the castle is. According to The Official Website of the British Monarchy, it's the "oldest and largest occupied castle in the world." It notes that William the Conquerer originally chose the area in the 1070s. Kings and queens have altered and added on to the castle ever since, so it is a beautiful mesh of styles and time periods. The ceilings are especially beautiful. One of the workers told us that if we don't finish the tour with a crick in our necks, then we haven't done it right. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the castle, but if you google "Windsor Castle ceilings" and/or "Windsor Castle painted ceilings," you'll understand.

Shakespeare visited for a while, and our guide likes
to think that this window inspired his balcony scene
in Romeo and Juliet. I like to think that, too.

Basically this weekend I walked where many of my heroes have walked and ate where many of my heroes have eaten. (Henry VIII isn't exactly my hero, but we did get Elizabeth I because of him. You get what I mean.) I spent a large part of the weekend in a sort of happy bubble. And then I realized I actually had homework... which brought me back to reality.

Cheers!