Normandy

Known as the site of D-Day in World War II - June 6, 1944........I was able to tour Normandy as part of the "Band of Brothers" tour. So, so sad to see the numbers of cemetery markers in the American cemetery. It was also remarkable to see such beautiful beaches, and how that beauty was pretty deceptive of the history.

A monastery and a town...surrounded by water?

I remember learning about this place when I was in middle school, and it fascinated me. Mont St. Michel is a monastery (still active today) that was built hundreds of years ago. It has become a bit commercialized - the monastery is at the top of the island, but you have to trek up the cobblestone roads filled wtih restaurants and souvenir shops to get there. It is a CLIMB - but the view is worth it. What's fascinating is that when the tide is low, you can easily access the island. However, when the tide is high, you can't reach it as it is surrounded by water. What a beautiful place!

Hampton Court

We were able to visit Westminster Abbey and Hampton Court today.

I couldn't take pictures inside the Abbey..but I wish I could have. So many memorials to famous artists, poets, diplomats, and royalty are there. It's absolutely breathtaking to see where Henry V and Edward the Confessor are buried. Of course, the gift shop was filled to the gills with Royal Wedding memorabilia. The abbey is just beautiful and I go back every time we are in England.

My son was excited about going to Hampton Court, home of Henry VIII and also William and Mary. This gave me an opportunity to test my knowledge of Henry VIII and all of his wives, but it was remarkable to see that many of the decorations/tapestries are original to the day. Even the chapel where Henry VIII learned about the concerns about his second wife is totally intact - and just beautiful.

My son enjoyed going in the maze, reminiscent of the maze in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".

visiting a school!

Today I had the opportunity to visit a school in Sussex. It's a primary school with 200 children (they couldn't believe that Kensington has 750 - that's unheard of!) There were roughly 30 children in each classroom.

Two of the students took us around for a tour while my son was a celebrity of sorts on the Year Six room. After visiting the classrooms -including a garden and a pool - I had the opportunity to sit down with the principal. It was remarkable to see that we're fighting the same battles: accountability and testing, lots of paperwork, government working against teachers, and the budget. As a matter of fact, the school teachers in England are going on strike tomorrow due to a plan in the government that raises their retirement age to 66, with fewer benefits.

I did acquire a copy of their tests, so I'm looking forward to comparing these against ours. I'm also looking forward to a continued relationship with this school.

excitement at Harrod's

Harrod's is a famous department store in England. I love coming here because it's so fancy and so over the top -- it makes Nordstrom look like WalMart.

In addition to clothing and all of the typical department store stuff, there is also a food market that is extravagant, with all sorts of items from all over the world. You can also have dinner there (we did), but you have to be prepared. For example, my son likes scallops and that's what he ordered. He got one, I mean ONE, scallop. Poor kid. However, between how much the dollar isn't worth, and the prices of things at Harrod's, I'm hoping pearls start shooting out of his ears.

Regardless, Harrod's is quite the experience with the Egyptian escalator, the memorial to Princess Diana, and the amazing market!

Windsor, and the weather

This is my third time in England...and I have never dealt with rain, despite being told "It ALWAYS rains in England". Well, today, it happened...quite the downpour, outside of Windsor Castle.

However, that's okay. Windsor Castle is beautiful, and there was a special exhibition there in light of Prince Philip turning 90 this year. In addition, my family has been working on our geneology, and we have somewhat of a "royal tie"...so going to St. George's Chapel, where many royals are buried, was a neat experience.

It was nice to share this experience with my son. I've been to Windsor before, but this was his first time.

Tower of London visit

Today we visited the Tower of London. Now, I was there 14 years ago, but I saw so many changes that have taken place - so it was like a whole new visit.

We saw the following at this massive complex, sitting next to Tower Bridge:

1. Tower cells/prisons, including the one where Sir Walter Raleigh was held, and other cells where people were imprisoned for a time, sometime before their execution.

2. The site of the execution of Anne Boleyn, among others (the last time I was here, the STONE was here. Now there's a memorial statue)

3. Armour of various kings from Henry VIII through James I.

4. Crown jewels...so much opulence.

We also did a "Wall Walk" around roughly half of the perimeter of the complex.