Of Rain Showers, Famous Kings, and Gardens

The Day Beginning

This week was my last week teaching all day everyday! I can't believe how my teaching experience is winding down. I just have three more days this next week, then I'm on Easter holiday, then I have two more three day weeks. Amazing! Jamie is now finished with her teaching as of Friday. Today (Sunday) she is picking up her dad at the airport and they are heading off to tour Italy! To celebrate, we decided to do one more big sightseeing trip.

I woke up early on Saturday, washed up, and hopped on the next train to Clapham Junction to meet Jamie and our train to Hampton Court.

Hampton Court was the home of the famous King Henry the VIII. For those of you that are wondering who he is, here is a quick historical look at the man behind the throne. King Henry the VIII became king in 1502 (the second heir to the throne in the Tudor times). He was married 6 times (many of his wives were beheaded). He was also the man who founded the Church of England, after he demanded a divorce from his wife Catherine of Aragon and was refused by the Catholic church. He is probably the most famous British king.

Before entering Hampton Court, Jamie and I decided it was time to eat. I think we may have trained ourselves to become famished during train trips...we had lunch at an early 10:30. :P

We sat on a little bench overlooking the river and ate our lunch. We had such a blast people watching and talking. It was pretty hilarious though, we felt like little old English ladies sitting on the bench observing the people walking by, "Oh! Did you see that? Look at what they are doing." "Can you believe he is pushing that stroller through the water?" "Oh dear, see that child scootering on that gravel slope? That can't end well." hehehe People watching in England.... its hilarious. :)

After a humorous lunch, we walked across the bridge to Hampton Court. The entrance was breathtaking! The green lawn stretched out for acres, finally reaching the red and brown bricks of the castle. A gravel driveway laid out perfectly straight for vehicles to access the castle gates. I can only imagine the elaborate carriages that carried King Henry VIII and royalty to the castle doors...

Inside of the castle was not as elaborate as Windsor, but it was still very elegant. Royal rooms were painted from floor to ceiling in murals. Winding staircases led to the chapel. The castle was built around a lush green courtyard with a fountain springing up from the middle. Here are some pics of the castle interior.

This was in one of the many kitchens. Here, one of King Henry's many cooks prepares a feast for the King. The castle had many wonderful actors and actresses playing the roles of people past. However, just like a lot of the castles and historical sights, it is still a residence. There are still people, mostly guards, beefeaters, or groundskeepers, and their families living at Hampton Court.

A scorching fire sizzling in the kitchen. The kitchen(s) smelled so good! The smell of smoked meat, breads, and campfire....mmmmmm

Trying to look VERY serious....afterall, I am sitting at King Henry the VIII's table!

The wine cellar. Gee, I would hate to be the one to hear, "Go down and bring up another barrel!" The barrels were HUGE!

The lush courtyard with the fountain in the center (it's behind the lamp).

The stone walkway going around the courtyard.

A painted ceiling in a large foyer.

A dramatic staircase in the same large foyer. These stairs led to the royal bed chambers, meeting rooms, guest rooms, and the upstairs of the royal chapel. Those are castle guards going up the staircase.

Looking out over the staircase. Check out the amazing murals behind me! So pretty.

King Henry the VIII had oodles of tapestries. This one reaches from the floor to the ceiling, keeping in mind that the ceilings are at palace height... HUGE!

One of the royal throne chambers. The furniture in the rooms were originals. Amazing how the beds and chairs have survived this long!

This room was incredible. Murals covered every inch of the room, walls and ceiling. The colours are still vibrant and they depict extravagant images.

Fireplace in the same room.

Unique fireplace in a different room.

Walking down the corridor...oh my! Whose that I see in the fuzzy hat?!?!

Why, if it's not King Henry the VIII himself! What a treat! :)

Jamie needed a picture with the King. She was SOOOoooo excited. Totally geeking-out. :)

This is Kateryn Parr, Henry's sixth wife. Upon entering Hampton Court, Jamie and I were invited to their wedding. Today Hampton Court was putting on a reenactment of the marriage of King Henry VIII and Kateryn Parr. We received a formal invitation and everything. Pretty cool.

A bit of drama for visitors as King Henry and Kateryn greet Kateryn's sister (in red) and the King invites us to his wedding celebration. I was picked on from the crowd. The King wanted me to wash the linens for his wedding.... my face turned very red... hahaha

Stained glass windows and man decor (aka: antlers). :P

I loved the drama that Hampton Court had. It made visiting the castle so much fun!

A Walk In the Garden

King Henry VIII loved his gardens. He had the most magical, English gardens I have seen! I can only imagine how exquisite they will be in the summer! Right now, the daffodils and little colourful flowers were up. But the gardens will be bursting with fragrant flowers in the summer. His gardens are so amazing that some people come just to see the gardens and skip the castle! Budded up right next to the river, his gardens stretch for acres.

Stepping out the back door of the castle, we were greeted by these funky trees! :) They remind me of Alice in Wonderland trees. This garden path I am standing on reaches out to a fountain and eventually to the river.

The back of the castle.

My favourite garden. It was divded into four sections, all symmetrical. Each section had an elegant, white statue in the center. In the middle of the four sections was a large fountain, which you can see in this picture.

I love the grass designs! The trellis in the background will be covered in wisteria in the summer. Right now, little green buds are popping up all over the vines.

The edge of the fountain in the center of the garden. There were huge fish swimming in the fountain. I think they were carp... I'm not sure. Ben and Dad would know... :P They were big, fat, greyish colour, and had funny lips. Any ideas?

Looking back at Hampton Court from the garden.

It started to rain right after this picture. We took a peak at one more garden then dashed for cover. After we dried off and the sun peaked back out again, we headed for some more gardens and the hedge maze!

Jamie being silly in those funky trees!

I got SO excited when I saw this sign, but don't be fooled as I was. It was actually just this little patio where William II was always served hot chocolate. What a shame...no chocolate for me..

This garden was called the forest. It was overflowing with cheerful daffodils! Carpets of yellow as far as the eye could see. It smelt heavenly.

HAHAHA Got to love the inconspicuous camera shadows... hehehe Now unto the hedge maze! The most famous in the world, Jamie and I got out in record time! About 5 minutes! Mad skills.....

TADA!!! We did it! We found the centre!

Thumbs up!

Way to go! Hoora!

Laughing In London

To end the day, we attempted to find Little Venice in London. We sort of found it. No one knew what we were talking about when we asked for directions. But we were in the right neighborhood. We did find a street of Italian restaurants. We went to this truly Italian place. Ya know, tiny place, everyone speaks Italian, Italian designed, very fancy. Pretty flowers on the table and our silverware served to us on a plate and cloth napkin. I had gnocci in a four cheese cream sauce. It was lovely!

Then we headed to the Museum of London for a quick peak around. On the way, we got caught in the rain and absolutely DRENCHED!!!! It was hilarious! Screeching through the streets of London trying to find shelter. Then we couldn't find the entrance to the Museum on London so we just got even more wet. So funny. Here we are: laughing and soaked to the core!

Ha! We just saw that guy! Sweet!

A London sunset splashed on the stone building of the Liverpool Rail Station.

I had such a blast this Saturday. Jamie and I were goofballs all day. It was a fantastic way to send her off for her Italy trip and a great end to my full weeks of teaching.

In just three days, my Mum and my Aunt Sheryl will be here! It is Easter holiday for me, so I have two weeks off. We are going to head to Paris, Edinburgh, and I'm going to play tour-guide in London. Stay tuned for pics! :D