Let the Sunshine In!

To open, I'd like to share that London enjoyed something quite unique since my arrival this weekend: sunshine! This unexpected delight provided me this simple pleasure:

My explorations this weekend took me to two outdoor markets within a nice walk of my flat; Petticoat/Brick Lane and Spitalfields/Brick Lane.  I agree with the London Tourism website when is day Petticoat's "day is passed" - it is a bit dreary. In contrast, Spitalfields was, bustling, extensive and lovely!

On my route to and from these markets, these architectural beauties caught my eye:

The Leadenhall (well-preserved) Victorian food market:

The Bank of England:




And these examples of various eras of architecture built up around each other;



St. Helen's Place - note the SwissRe Building -
"the Gherkin" - towering above!



 and on Bishop's Gate:

Finally, I was able to recover these few photos of Hampton Court Palace:

More soon!







Happy New Year, etc!

Hello friends, family and miscellaneous readers - Happy New Year! 

Since my last post, I enjoyed three company Christmas parties over three days in two cities. I have travelled to Edinburgh and back, followed fours days later with journey to Moorestown and back again. In both cases I happily missed the worst of snow delays (ie cancellations). Now I am happily settled in London for as long as they need me here - or until I can't survive yet another week without accessing the remainder of my worldly belongings, which have cleared customs and await their rescue from a storage unit in Edinburgh.

To celebrate the New Year, I enjoyed a Brazilian dinner and dancing with my friend Shannah (from Seattle) and her beau Lucian, followed by a very posh breakfast at Claridge's Hotel! To wrap up my long weekend (thank you  for the extra day off United Kingdom), I took in the sites at Hampton Court Palace. Sadly, the batteries on my digital camera were spent; however, I took several brief videos of the sites with my new Flip video camera (thanks again Santa!!). I promise that my film making skills will improve with practice!

"Over 800 years of history can be explored through this magnificent [Hampton Court] palace whose previous owners include Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Visitors are offered an introductory exhibition, a guide through Tudor kitchens, a costume guide tour, and the opportunity to see the Queen's state apartments, the King's apartments and the Wolsey and Georgian rooms. One of the most impressive sights is the Great Hall, England's last and greatest medieval hall, decorated with sumptuous tapestries.

Outside you can try not to get lost in the worlds most famous maze or visit the Privy garden restored to its 1702 glory."~ almost certainly copyrighted text by Tourist Information UK: Hampton Court Palace

The grounds from across the River Thames:

The exterior of the Castle:

The Great Hall of King Henry VIII:

For more (officially sanctioned) info on the Castle and grounds, go to

Historic Royal Palaces: Hampton Court Palace