London, Cambridge, and too many pictures!

Well! It has been a very busy two weeks! Very, very busy! Which means of course that I want to:

But I must of course:


So, I think I need to back up...way, way up!

London was fantastic!

Although I was by myself I managed to do and see quite a lot! I took the 194 from Croydon to the East Croydon train station. Got a train to Victoria. Took the Tube (subway) from Victoria to South Kensington and thus the adventures began!

I was able to catch a bus to the Natural History Museum. Too many things to see but I did have a look at the dinosaur exhibit - I couldn't do anything but look as I had to walk through it in order to get to the Mammals! Apart from the 'millions of years' bit it was quite good.

The Mammals exhibit was very interesting as was the Whales and Dolphins. I must be honest I only wanted to get there to see the Sperm Whale for Jessica ;) ("It is important to note that suddenly, and against all probability, a Sperm Whale had been called into existence, several miles above the surface of an alien planet and since this is not a naturally tenable position for a whale, this innocent creature had very little time to come to terms with its identity." Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).

I then went across the street to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Fascinating. So many amazing things to see: hand embroidered tapestries that were more than six feet wide with gorgeous colours and attention to detail.

Not to mention the floor mosaics!

The Medieval exhibit was beautiful.

I did not stop and have a cup of tea and scone - which I have since learned is the thing to do in this particular museum. To my defence I was alone, and I did walk through the cafe area ;)

I then took the bus to Baker Street. Walked along 'til I got to 221b. There was a bobby guarding the door, but once I'd bought a ticket to the museum I was allowed in!

Absolutely fantastic! The flat is set up as described in the stories. With the violin out of it's case as if Sherlock were to come back at any moment.

There are eleven figures on the one level from different mysteries. Here is just one of them.

There was a plaque behind or to the side describing each one. The artifacts were also quite interesting. As were the letters that had been written to Sherlock over the years - especially the ones from children.

From 221b Baker Street I took the Tube to Minster, hoping the walk to West Minster Abbey wouldn't be too long? It wasn't. The following sight met my eyes as soon as I came up from the Underground:

I walked across the Thames Bridge and saw the London Eye - didn't want to go on it - I've been before and I wasn't sure how much it would cost, how to get down to it from where I was, and if I had the time to do so as it was already 4pm. A sign for the Florence Nightengale Museum caught my eye instead. Who knew?!? It was very nice. I only had an hour - although it is small, an hour is no-where near enough time to see and hear all that there is to see and hear!

By this time it was dark and so back across the bridge to the Tube for a ride to Victoria station which at this point was quite busy! Glad I'd come through before and knew my way around! Got on the train to East Croydon, and then caught 194 back to the house! Perfect. No random wanderings :D

The next day I was bound for Cambridge. But before leaving I stopped by to see if my old neighbours still lived in Davidson Road - they did, and were thrilled to see me again :D

Arrived in Cambridge and was met by Auntie Sue with Uncle John just behind.

Had the new experience of "travelling" on a 'guided bus'. It has it's own specific road with guide rails and wheels that are stuck on sideways so as to allow the bus to 'drive itself'. It is sort of a hybrid between a bus and a tram, I'd say.

Got into 'trouble' at Waitrose - (pronounced Wait-ross) a very posh grocery store - when I took a picture of their electronic checkout - all was smoothed over when I simply explained to the manager that I was American and thought that their system was very interesting :D

It's a bit complicated to explain, but you can get a credit card from Waitrose, then whenever you go you swipe your card at a place that has Bar Code scanners. One lights up and you are on your way!

Everything that you want to buy you scan. Then when you are finished shopping you simply take the scanner to the front where there is a sort of docking station, and credit card reader. You stick your credit card in it downloads from the scanner what you are buying and Bob's your uncle, off you go. It's a very nice system actually - except for the cashiers who are now out of a job. :(

It was wonderful to be with Uncle John and Auntie Sue. Auntie Sue was lovely and sweet as always and Uncle John let me know he loved me by his nagging and bullying ;)

Remembrance Sunday they took me to the US Cambridge Cemetery - very sobbering.

Anglesea Abbey - wonderful wander through winter gardens.

Went to Cambridge the one day and all around the different colleges that make up the University. Then onto Charity shops (thrift stores).

Had a day of rest. Before speaking at a home meeting with their son and daughter-in-law. Was a lot of fun, especially as I felt accepted by their daughters, 14/15 and 18/19 and a college student - so much silliness, so much fun! The meeting went well and Jonathan called later to say everyone was 'enchanted' :D

 In case you were missing the good pictures of dinners ;)

My last day we visited The Orchard where poet Rupert Brooke used to hang out - sad life story, but brilliant writer. The following is one of his poems, which is engraved at his grave site on the island of Skyros, Greece.

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust which England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave once her flowers to love, her ways to roam;

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

 I shall stop here for now, my friends, as the hour is late (after 1:00am). I shall endeavour to quickly return to chronicle the events of my journey ere too long. ;) God Bless, a very tired, but very contented nurse.