May Day Hodgepodge

  1. What's something fun you're looking forward to on your May calendar? Seeing the grandsons.  We are going to spend a couple of weeks in Santa Barbara.

2. What are some images that come to mind when you hear the word mother? 
Of course....my mother.  She is gone now and I often find myself thinking....I should tell Mom, and sadly, I can't.  She was a good mother and an excellent grandmother....missed by all.

3. What's something beautiful you own or have seen that's made of glass? 
The stained glass windows in the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey, my picture is first and rather gloomy...a better picture below it from the internet.  I was able to get a picture of some of the paintings on the wall below the windows, they have found and are restoring. I wasn't sure I should photograph, as it was not allowed in the Abbey...so I didn't use flash. I love stained glass.

4. Was today typical? If not what made it unusual? Yesterday and today have been a little atypical...since we are trying to get Mr BC's appointment covered since we are leaving soon.  We had 3 different appointed tasks yesterday, and today...Tuesday....I had a man come out to fix my washing machine, our new lawn guy came today....as well as I had to go to the bank, the pharmacy and get my hair cut, which did not happen. We are a bit over scheduled, trying to get ready for our trip.

5. What is a quality you wish you could have more of? 
I have always wished to be better organized and not have everything to do at the last minute.

6. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen in the month of May? We need an aluminium covered car port to protect the cars that don't get to be in the garage.  So far we haven't had hail damage....but we are bound to get some one day. It won't happen this month.

7. What responsibility/job/work did you dislike while growing up but has proved helpful to you as an adult? 
I can't think of anything right off hand, but Ya'll will have something that I will claim...Oh yeah!.  I still haven't used algebra ever in my life.

*** I forgot about a typing class in high school. I didn't do all that well...I would never win speed contests, but learning the keyboard has been vital.  
8. Insert your own random thought here.

When I Thought I Lost Mr BC in Westminster Abbey - Pt 2

Part One Here

Well, after our day of rest on day one we got up feeling more refreshed.* Our hotel provided a great breakfast and we feasted every morning to fuel our day. This should be the only picture of food from the H10 Waterloo, and I pulled it off the internet but this was what Mr Bankerchick had every morning, What I liked were the pastries, fruit, and they had smoothies, peach and strawberry.....yum!   We always had lunch out and about. 

 

We tackled the Tube again, as we had our Oyster Card, which worked for us the whole time we were in London.  It was only one stop to Westminster....It could have been walked but, we knew we would be walking a lot.  When we came out of the station, we were greeted by Big Ben. A big Just Think moment for Mr BC.  We never did get a good picture of Parliament (the traditional one) but did get this. 

 We then made our way to Westminster Abbey, a top spot on Mr BC's list.  Needless to say no photography in the Abbey, but we clicked as we waited in the line.
  

You buy your tickets at the door and the handset guide was free.  We used a London Pass and I would say we got our money's worth in admissions for the 3 days we purchased.  It advertises you can skip long lines, but those are only the ticket purchase line....it is your ticket.  But you still might have to stand in line if the ticket purchase is at the end of the entrance line or if there is another line to get in.....as was the case most every where we went .

Since 1560, the building is no longer an abbey nor a cathedral, having instead the  status of a "Royal Peculiar"—a church responsible directly to the sovereign. The  building itself is the original abbey church.Construction of the present church began in 1245, on the orders ofKing Henry III.^{[3] Wikipedia}

Queen Elizabeth I
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Paul and I got separated during our visit, I had walked through at a leisurely pace so I waiJust ted for him at poets corner..(I have been here before) He had spent time Thinking at Queen Elizabeth's crypt, he explained when he caught up with me.  We moved on to the outside portion of the Abbey.

The Cloister

The Chapter House
They found and uncovered some 13th and 14th century paintings on the wall.  I did not take pictures, but pulled some off the Abbeys website to show some examples.  This picture was taken from the door.   Out side was the Oldest door in England which an Asian tourist was trying his hardest to open, that really tickled me!. 

By this time we were ready to have a bite to eat, so we went to the Cellarium Cafe which is Zagat rated.  Fourteenth-century Benedictine monks once stored their provisions in this bi-level space beside Westminster Abbey, which has been converted into a relaxed eatery where midpriced Modern British eats are served for lunch and afternoon tea; the bright, modern setting has vaulted ceilings, refectory-style oak timber tables and a small outside terrace.

Next up for the day....Buckingham Palace.


*  From this point on I won't be referring to how tired we always were at the end of a day of touring, any more, just know that it is implied.  I will spare you our pain, it would become very tiresome. Since this wasn't a food tour, we did a lot of room service for dinner rather than going out again.  I know this would be anathema to many.....sorry.