Saturday, June 11, 2016

Saturday: The Queen's 90th Birthday Parade

In case there was any doubt that this nation loves their Queen, this spectacle proves otherwise! It was huge, and crowded, and noisy, with a light mist coming down every once in a while.

I decided to skip the crowds and stayed at the flat with a few others where we watched everything on the telly. I still got some great pictures!
Marching Band

Handing the colors over

 


Those aren't people, they're ants wearing clothing!

Her Royal Majesty acknowledging the crowds

A spectacular fly-over!

The Royal Family excited and happy at the colors!
Aren't those crowds fantastic, and it is all happening just a few streets away from where we live.

Friday: Greenwich Village, the Prime Meridian, and Museums



This was a fun and busy day. We started with a boat ride down the Thames River to Greenwich Village, where we visited the Royal Navy College


Westminster and Big Ben (aka Parliament)


Need I say more?

Tower Bridge as we go under it

Yes, I am on a boat, and yes, I am in a shadow

Destination! We got there too soon!
The Royal Naval College, where Thor fought off the baddies from Dark World, opps, sorry, where the Royal Navy is trained.



The building under construction is where the dinning hall is located. Some call this London's Sistine Chapel. I certainly understand after entering: (Pictures don't quite do it justice)





and then the Observatory where the Prime Meridian is located. We hiked up a large hill - although not as large as any in Utah or Hawaii - to reach the Observatory.






After wandering around the place













we meandered down the hill to market stalls for lunch and then hopped on a train taking us back to the flats.

After a short rest I went to the natural History Museum, got there right before they closed.

There was this wonderful exhibit of live butterflies, I did have to pay for a special ticket, but it was worth it!



This one perched on my bag strap for a good five minutes. I was afraid to move my elbow in case I hurt him!







After the butterflies I went across the street to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was after 6 pm b this time so only the ground floor was open, but that was enough! That place is huge!

In case you wondered, this picture is actually sideways.



Not all lions are monsters! (Actually none of them are!)








There is a lot on the other 5 floors that I'm not certain I'll get to before I leave.