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London Day Two- Hampton Court

Another busy day. We started off with getting up at 7:15 so we could meet everyone at 8:30am in the lobby. We then met up with Darrin in front of the tube, where we tried to get on. Everyone was able to except for five of us. We tried very hard but it was a wall of bodies at every door we tried to enter. We got together and decided we would make sure to get on the next one, and we did. It was my first time navigating the tube without someone to look for on when to get off. I felt rather accomplished after doing so. We met up with them and we all walked to Covent Garden. It is one of my favorite places. It has great shops and a little market. The street performers weren't out yet. I will definitely go back there on a free day or on some free evening.
       After that the group went on the tube to catch a train to Hampton Court. After a quick ride where almost everyone had a quick snack we arrived. The town was cute with little shops and restaurants. Then we looked across the river and there it was. Hampton Court. It was magnificent. It was crazy to finally see something you learned about right there, in person! The chimney's and everything. They were very intricate just like the photos in History showed. It was even bigger than it looks. We first went out to the gardens and took pictures and ate lunch. Then we all kind of split up to do our own thing and tour the inside. I joined up with Leslie and we toured the kitchens; who knew you needed more than one kitchen? It was really nice. Very high beamed ceilings and a humungous fireplace that seriously could have been a walk in closet. Did you know that King Henry the 8th's diet was 70% meat? Crazy. Then we went to King Henry's apartments. Which of course were amazing. There was one room that was full of tapestries he had commissioned during his marriage to Anne Boleyn. As I toured the rooms I couldn't get over how amazing the wood work was. If it wasn't on a door frame, it was in the crown molding. Not only was the wood work detailed so was everything else. The gates had either a rose, harp, or some other intricate carving. Some gates were gold, others a teal, and one a black. It must have taken so long to make. And the ceilings. No surface was left untouched. In the chapel there were fan vaults of gold, and the ceiling blue with stars. It was amazing. It took your breath away. it was complemented by a lavish alter with two columns and an arch. Detail practically slapped you in the face, because it was everywhere; art, fireplaces (inside included), doors, furniture, and pillows! No matter what room you were in you were in awe. After Henry's apartments we walked into Queen Mary's apartments. What a difference. The walls suddenly turned lighter and the gold wasn't as strong though it was still there. A table with cabriole legs stood to one wall. To see everything Darrin talked about in history put things into persepective. It was no longer a slide on a projector,  it was real. The rest of the tour carried on much in the same fashion.
       Leslie and I decided it was time to find our way back to the flat. We walked around the town and then wandered back to the train station. Once back to London we picked up some baguette sandwiches, both pretty good. We then had to figure out the tube for ourselves. We took one line and got off at Leicester Square to join the Piccadilly line that would take us to our stop. The independence was empowering! The rest of the evening has been spent relaxing and eating dinner. Though my feet hurt from all the walking, there was a ton, it was a great day! Tomorrow V&A Museum and Tate Modern!

Hampton Court with Doom and Gloom Clouds

It is so true! I do love Covent Gardens!

Fireplace that could be a walk in closet

Card table, just like in Darrin's Class

Look at all the detail in the gate!

I couldn't resist putting a horse picture in.

Hampton Court Entrance through a window





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