Queen Emily II

Yesterday was a very long and great day. We were bummed because the figure skating for the Olympics wasn't on at 1 am but at 3:30, so we went to bed and missed them. But, that meant that we got up early and went to Windsor Castle! It was a PERFECT day for it. Sunny, not too crowded, and since Parliament is in session, more of the castle is open to tour because less of the castle is being used! So we saw the state apartments that are always open and then the rest of the apartments that are used for entertainment when the Queen is around. One of the gift shop women told us that you will always know when the Queen is coming because the smokestacks from her wing of the Castle will be going. Also, if she is there her flag will be flying rather than the British flag.

We had a great time walking around and taking entirely too many pictures. We saw Queen Mary's Doll house, which was a palace in miniature with such attention to detail that the dishes on the dining table were silver, there was electricity and fully functioning plumbing! It is the only part I remember from when I visited as a little girl. I wonder why the only thing that would stick in a little girl's memory would be a giant doll house mansion?

The chapel, St. George's Chapel is an EXCELLENT example of the mixture of church and state. Like... I guess there is no way to avoid it when it is used just for the sovereignty. King Henry VI is there with his third wife, Jane Seymour. After having read The Other Boleyn Girl, Henry VI fascinates me. Here is a pic of the chapel.



On our way back Tim was working at the tube and we got so excited to show him our find, Paul Weller. But, he told us we were wrong! Our sleuthing was terrible. He said that he saw him later this week and used us as an excuse to ask his name and the dude wouldn't TELL HIM! The only clue he gave was, my friends call me JD. So... if any of you know who this mystery rocker could be, let me know!!!! We are still on the prowl.

We came back and Linda and I did our weekly grocery run, and went to the market to get fresh veggies and fruits. One of the guys told us the price as 30 "bobs".... we were like waaaah? But, apparently it is a cockney term, and then he told us in pounds that it wwas like 1.50 or something. He liked playing tricks on us.

Linda, Kathryn and I went to the international student's group at the All Souls church. It was Chinese New Year night and there was lots of trivia. For example, give mandarin oranges as a gift with the leaves still attached if you want your friend to know that your friendship is strong. If you don't think its as strong, don't do the leaves.

We sat at a table with a guy who was from England, but his parents were Indian, a girl from Northern Ireland, a girl who was a British citizen but grew up in Paraguay and went to college in Illinois (she had an American accent), a man from Italy, and a girl from Brazil. PRETTY international I would say. It was fun.. I think we are all excited to go back.

Today my friend Taylor was playing Rugby in Regent's Park so a group of us walked there and watched for awhile. Rugby is pretty violent with too short of shorts! EEk!

Have a super fantastic day!