London: Day 2

Our second day in London gave us the chance to see some of the famous sites in London. Here are a few highlights:

WESTMINSTER ABBEY
This is one incredible place. Pictures were not allowed to be taken inside, so we have to do with a pictures of the exterior only. Inside you will find the coronation chair that all of the British Monarchs sit in the day they are crowned, the graves of most of the British Royalty including Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I, the graves of Newton, Keats, and hundreds of others. It is also where the Royal Wedding (you know, between Kate and Will) took place.

Westminster Abbey

Methodist Central Hall directly across from the Abbey (of course)

UK SUPREME COURT
The UK never had a Supreme Court that operated separately from the legislature, until now. It functions as the court of last resort for the United Kingdom and for other various nations, former colonies to be precise, who choose to use the UK justice system. All of the courts are open during argument. For the lawyers out there, this might be a fun thing to try to catch in action someday.

One of 3 court rooms. Also the most traditional in style.

Sitting where the Justices sit. Fitting.

The symbol of the court symbolizing all four members of the UK: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

BIG BEN

Big Ben. And Adam.

HYDE PARK & THE WELLINGTON ARCH

The Wellington Arch

The Wellington Arch

Flowers at Hyde Park

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT WESTMINSTER PALACE  

GUARD AT PARLIAMENT ROW

Guard at  Parliament Building along Parliament Row

TRAFALGAR SQUARE

The Clarence, a pub right off Trafalgar Square (and reminiscent of the name of Clarence, NY)

The Clarence

Fish & Chips

Iconic Lions in Trafalgar Square

National Portrait Gallery & Olympic 2012 Countdown Clock

Nelson's Column

THE MARBLE ARCH
The Arch was to be the entrance to Buckingham Palace but now serves as a city icon and a metro stop. This is also the place where, unfortunately, many people have been hanged throughout the history of the city, including Oliver Cromwell's body.

The Marble Arch

Sculpture at Marble Arch Plaza

Flowers at Marble Arch Plaza

FIAT SCULPTURE
This was just an interesting piece of art located in London. Had to share.

Fiat Sculpture

London: Day 1.5

Adam did a tough and necessary thing: he took his Urology Boards at the end of July. In London. Which meant he got to decompress in (and we both got to enjoy) LONDON, a city that is hard not to love. And it’s true, we love London.

We got into London the day before Adam's exam and spent the night walking the neighborhood where we were staying (Marylebone), wandering into Regent’s Park and Queen Mary’s gardens which were idyllic. We had lunch in the park cafe which reminded me a lot of the Boat House in Central Park. Sorry we don't have any pictures of this, but maybe we will be able to add some in the future.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM
The day Adam took his test, I walked Oxford Street in nearly its entirety, I think. I saw (and wandering into) many great shops, and eventually ended up at the British Museum. It is a huge and beautiful place, and like most great museums, it cannot be seen all in one day.

Lobby of the British Museum

I had an amazing moment while at the British Museum: I saw the pieces of the Parthenon I have wanted to see for the past ten years. For those of you who have visited the Parthenon in Athens, you will be able to relate.  See, many of the pieces of the Parthenon (the friezes, the cariatids and the pediments) are no longer at the site, but in museums, particularly the British Museum in London; a huge disappointment when in Athens. But a thrill when in London. It was great to see the remaining pieces. They are beatufiul. And it was great.

Parthenon's East Pediment depicting the rise of the Sun God on the left and Dionysus, the god of wine reclining in the middle. 

Cariatid (and supporting pillar) from the Erechtheion

The rear veiw of Cariatid

Beyond the Parthenon exhibit, I spent most of my time checking out thefamous Rosetta Stone, the Stone that allowed hierogliphics to be deciphered,

The Rosetta Stone (behind a very reflective glass...)

the Egyptian exhibits,
                                                       

the Roman exhibit,

and the medieval room. The medieval artifacts brought to life Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth which was so much fun for me (If you have not yet read it, and are looking for a great read, may I recomend it).

Clips that held the Prior's Robes

JW STAKEHOUSE & THE BEST CHEESECAKE WE'VE EVAH HAD
We had to celebrate the fact that Adam finished his boards. So, what did we do? We went out for a delcious dinner of coure! We ended up at JW Stakehouse across from Hyde Park- it was fabulous! We had a great table outdoors where we sampled some Veuve Clicquot (of course), had oysters, enjoyed fantastic entrees, and ended the evening with the best cheesecake we have ever had. I’m not kidding. It was amazing. Adam also finished the night with a cuban cigar and a glass of bourbon. What could be better?

Norwich

We spent an afternoon to get acquainted with Norwich, a large city to our north by about a half hour in the car. Although the city does have a beautiful Cathedral, we haven’t yet been. But, we did spend some time in a great used bookstore (JR & RR Ellis) where we purchased a book of drawings and paintings of East Anglia for 3 pounds,

saw some beautiful flint work (many of the buildings in this region have pieces of flint included in the facade; the region is know for it’s flint work),

 visited a beautiful church that was being used as an indoor artists’ market,

  

 and saw some people dressed as jokers.

Not bad for an afternoon. The shopping is delightful here. There is also a huge performing arts center where we saw an art exhibit displaying works that were to reflect the material world in which we live. Pan to the broom with three handles. We can’t wait to spend more time here!