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On our fourth day in Paris we began our morning by going over to the Musee d’Orsay. We thought that the museum opened at 9 A.M. so when we showed up at the gates 20 minutes past 9 and saw the rather long line of people waiting for the doors to open, we decided to come back later on in the day. We hopped the Metro up to Sacre Coeur, Read more »

On our third day in Paris we began at the Hotel des Invalides, where Napoleon’s Tomb is located. We toured through the museum which had one of the largest displays of armories (they claim that it’s enough for a low tech revolution). Along with the armory display there was also a chapel and then the tomb of Napoleon, both of which showed some of the beautiful French architecture.

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On our second day in Paris we began with a trip to the Louvre Museum to see some of the famous works of art on display there. We saw Aphrodite (Venus de Milo); Michelangelo’s The Dying Slave and The Rebellious Slave; Psyche and Cupid; and The Winged Victory of Samothrace. Paintings included da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Madonna on the Rocks as well as some of his other works; Gericault’s The Rath of the Medusa; Veronese’s The Wedding Feast at Cana. Additionally we saw some of the works of artists such as Raphael, el Greco, Goya, Van Dyke and Donatello. Read more »

For our last day in the U.K. we made a trip out to Windsor to see Windsor Castle, about a 30 minute train ride from Paddington Station. We made it to the castle about an hour before the changing of the guard (a lot less crowded than the Buckingham Palace changing of the guard). A note about the changing of the guard in either location: the changing of the guard in the fall and winter months fall on even number days for Buckingham Palace and odd number days for Windsor Castle. We were able to time everything well so that we were able to witness the changing of the guard at both locations. This time, for the Windsor Castle changing of the guard, we were able to get front row “seats” for prime photos; although we did have to contend with getting hit on the head by others attempting to get the photos we were able to get. After the changing of the guard we toured around the castle and went into the State Rooms, some of which Will wasn’t able to visit the last time he was here. There was a fire near St. George’s Hall in 1992, for which the repairs weren’t completed until 1997. After our tour of the castle we had lunch at one of the local establishments in Windsor and then took a walk around the town; over the Thames into the town of Eton.

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For our third night in London we opted to have dinner at an English Pub, Ye Olde Chesire Cheese, on Fleet Street. A bit of a maze to navigate, but it was rebuilt after the fire in 1666 and hasn’t really changed since. After testing the beer on tap, Samuel Smith’s Wheat Ale, and having some fish and chips, we made our way back to the Underground, via near-by St. Paul’s Cathedral for some night-time photos.

Our day began with a walk through Kensington Park to the Kensington Palace to take some quick photos.  We then walked over to the Royal Albert Hall and Memorial.  Afterwards, we rushed onto the Underground to make it over to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard.  This ceremony lasts for almost an hour; between the arrival of the “new” guard, the band, the Royal Marines and the National Horse Guard; ceremonial changing of the guard directly in front of the palace where the “new” and “old” guard switch; then the procession of the “old” guard, the band, the Royal Marines and the National Horse guard away from Buckingham Palace.  After the ceremony we took a tour of the palace, as the Queen isn’t in residence currently and the state rooms were open to the public.  Also on public display was the 60th anniversary exhibit for the Queen and the Duke of Edinborough’s wedding in 1947.  The exhibit included the wedding gown, jewelry, and some wedding gifts received by the couple.  One interesting fact about wedding gifts received were ingredients needed for the wedding cake, as the war was just ending and rationing was still in place.  We then hopped the Underground to the British Museum where we were able to see the Rosetta Stone. pieces of the Parthenon, Cleopatra’s remains and other artifacts on display to the public.

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Our third day in London began with a walk through Hyde Park.  As we were walking through the Rose Garden, the Royal Horse Gurad was out for a stroll; which provided a great opportunity to take some pictures of them in action.  We then continued along the Serpentine, which is a very long lake in the middle of Hyde Park.  Along the way we were able to see the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain as well as the Peter Pan statue.  After our walk through the park we hopped the Underground over to Leicester Square.  We ate at a chain called Garfunkel’s and were able to get a seat outside, since the weather was beautiful.  After lunch we toured the National Gallery (in Trafalgar Square).  We got to see some works by famous artists, our favorites….Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Van Dyke and Monet.  Once finished at the National Gallery we worked our way around Trafalgar Square, which was completely shut down for the Chemical Brothers concert that was to take place that night.  We walked down past the National Horse Guards and into St. James Park for another walk in the park.  The walk took us to Buckingham Palace for a preview of what was to come.  For dinner we opted for close-by restaurant Orsini’s Cafe, which serves Italian food.  Very good pasta dishes….but even better ice cream desserts and coffee.  After dinner we went on the Underground up to Oxford Street for a walk past some of the posh shops; back to the Underground stop at Hyde Park (where we began our day).

On our second day in London we ventured to the Westminster area.  We began with a walk across Westminster Bridge after getting off at the Westminster Station in order to get a good look at the House of Parliament across the Thames River.  Once we returned we learned that the Parliament wasn’t in session and guided tours were available to get a look inside the House of Lords and the House of Commons.  After getting a brief introduction in British law we have a couple ideas to bring back to the U.S. :

1. The right to your MP see your (Minister of Parliament)while the House of Commons is in session.

2. View each political parties’ manifesto which is published during elections.

3. Your MP’s vote is recorded by the physical presence of their body; either in the “no” room or the “yes” room. 

Next we proceeded to Westminster Abbey and viewing the tombs and memorials to some notable figures in British history.  We were able to see the tombs/memorials of Sir Isaac Newton, Mary Queen of Scots, Lord Tennyson, Geoffrey Chaucer, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary I, Charles Dickens, Robert Browning, Rudyard Kipling, George Frederick Handel and Charles Darwin.

We had lunch next to the new Scotland Yard in a park.  Afterwards, we went to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.  The War Rooms is where we got the name for this blog.  ”Dig for Victory” was a war time slogan encouraging residents to grow more crops to supplement the rations.  We then took a walk past 10 Downing (the home of the Prime Minister), the original Scotland Yard and the Royal Horse Guard.  Once we got to Trafalgar Square we learned that St. Martin-in-the-fields was closed due to construction, not due to re-open until September 30.

For dinner we went to Moti Mahal Indian Restaurant, which was incredible.  Will had the best Chicken Tikki Masala and my Garlic Chicken was great.  We definitely would get the the Veg. Samosas again.

Here are some of our photos from so far: Europe Photo Gallery 1

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Our first vacation in three years starts today! Check back for regular updates throughout our trip.