Palaces continue...Kew Palace

The second Palace on our tour is Kew Place.  As I mentioned before I am living about a block from Kew Gardens and within it is Kew Palace.  The gardens surrounding this palace can not be explained in words.  As I walk through them I have a sense of complete serenity.  All I can hear are birds chirping and the sound of my own thoughts.  I can't tell you the last time I have felt that peaceful...all the way to my soul.  The Palace is at the opposite end of the garden then where I entered so it is a bit of a walk but the beauty of the garden made it alright.  I should note here Kew is a botanical garden so there are tons of different species of trees and flowers with huge green houses.

Kew Gardens

When I arrived at the palace I was surprised at how humble it was.  It was a bit more like a country home then what you would normally consider a palace.  It had such character though. What I love about the Palace was the top floor had been left very much as it was found.  Most people would probably just think it looked dirty and unfinished but what I saw was the beauty and history.  I loved the bit of original wall paper that was on the wall then was reproduced in some lot the lower level rooms.  There also were original wall panels with the 15 shilling price marked on them from when they were originally purchased.  You just can't get that amazing historical connection from something that has been remade to look like what it originally was.  You can only get that feel from the untouched raw look.  So amazing!

Original wallpaper 

It also has to say something about how things were made back then that all these structures are still standing and have a majority of all the original things.  One funny thing about Kew Palace is the height of the doorways.  I am 5' 6" on a tall day and my head was only a few inches under the doorways.  Many of you would be doing a lot of ducking all day long if you lived here.
The story of Kew Palace and King George III is quite interesting and a bit sad.  He was thought to be mad but actually he was just mis diagnosed by his doctor.  Queen Charlotte also died in this Palace but not before witnessing the marriage of her 2 sons (to separate women of course) to secure the future of  her dynasty.

The chair Queen Charlotte passed away in

 

Oh if these walls could talk....
Unfortunately for me one of the newly discovered items within the palace won't be on display until May....I guess I will just have to come back to finish my tour!

Palace Tours begin...Kensington

I am a huge fan of history.  I love to walk through an old house or down a cobbled road and wonder who has been there before and what is their story.  The older the better in my eyes...anyone who has seen my old apartment and furniture knows this about me.  Here in London and the surrounding areas there is so much it could take a lifetime to soak it all up.  I am doing my best to get it all in!  One of the things I missed doing last time I was here was all the Palaces so today marks the first day of 5 Palaces I will be visiting.  The first is Kensington Palace.  I had a bit of a rough start as I got on the tube thinking I was just riding the district line till I got there but I was mistaken..."quick adjustment and one transfer later I was on the right track again.  Seriously I really can't get over how great the public transportation is...the US really needs to catch up.  It's so freeing not having a car.  I arrived at Kensington South Station and realized it was no longer sunny and the sky was threatening rain.  I normally would not be concerned but I left the house that morning with out a jacket or jumper since it was sunny in Richmond. As I look around shivering slightly I see in front of me a glowing H&M sign beckoning me in.  I don't usally shop at H&M in the states (nothing fits and I don't like most of the stuff).  International H&M is so different...lots of designs they don't send to the states.  So unfortunate for all you american shoppers.  Also unfortunate for me was this was a necessity shopping trip.  I still managed to get a great "grandma style sweater" and a light rain jacket.  Ok, crisis averted...on to the palace.  Let's start with the gardens and greens that are surrounding the palace.  Since it's spring everything is in bloom which makes the gardens even more spectacular.

One Small Section of Palace Garden and Palace

I purchased an annual membership for to the Royal Palaces (cheaper then buying tickets to all of them individually and you get a great book) so I could go into all of them more then once since I have time and you really need more then just a few hours at each one to get to everything.  It's really been great not feeling pressured to just go, go, go all the time like a regular tourist would.  I love being able to take my time and know I can go back to anything I want.
Kensington Palace has been recently redone.  All the design and set ups of the displays and exhibits have a really different feel then I am used to at historical places.  It has a very Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland feeling.

House of Cards Display

 I definitely love that style but it kind of made the place feel a bit modern.  I had a hard time differentiating between what was new and old in each of the rooms which was a bit disappointing.  However from a design perspective it was executed really well.  I felt like I was following along with the story of the royalty that had lived there through their lives .....hearing all the little secrets.  As if the walls were talking.
There were two highlights for me at this palace.  The first was the story of Victoria and Albert.  I won't elaborate on their story because it would take to long but please look it up.  Victoria was one of the most beloved queens and her love story with Albert is so beautiful.  It will make you believe in true romantic love again.  There also is a fairly recent movie called Young Victoria which is all about this amazing story.  I recommend watching it....It's just lovely and Victoria was an amazing woman.

Victorias Wedding Dress

The other treat at the palace was a small collection of Diana's dresses that were on display.  Not only were the dresses there but also the designers sketches that were inspiration for the dresses complete with fabric swatches of possible materials for the garment.  It was really neat to see the entire process from concept to finished garment.  She was such a fashion icon during her time.  She always wore classic lines with a modern twist.

Diana's Dress Sketch

When I left the palace it had just rained....my first rain in England.  I walked the garden a bit as I left and enjoyed the flowers now all covered in little drops of rain.  There really isn't anything much more beautiful then garden fresh after a rain....I'll leave you here for now and pick you back up at the next palace.

Rain Drop Kissed Flower

Water and Wellies...

Weekends tend to be a bit of a blur.  I feel like I blink and it's monday again.  From 7 am Saturday morning to Sunday at 8 pm it's non-stop kid swapping between Belinda and I.  Loads of fun but with these high energy boys you have to have your game face on all the time.  This weekend was water filled in all sorts of different ways...some better then others.
Saturday we decided to take the boys swimming.  Now this isn't just some ordinary local public pool we were heading off to.  Our swimming excursion included a drive to a slightly posh area called High Gate.  Unfortunately the driving time was doubled due to an event at Wembley Stadium but it was all worth it when we arrived at the house.  The house we were swimming at belongs to a true Lord and Lady.  How cool is it that they still are called that.  Historically you would just get this title by birth but now you have to earn it.  This Lord and Lady are friends of the family I am staying with and so we are allowed to use the indoor swimming pool.  George loves water so he had no problem just getting right in however Rudi is still bit skeptical about the whole situation so it takes a bit of coaxing to get him in onto the first step for some splashing.  At one point a reach for a pool toy goes array and Rudi goes face first into the pool (don't worry there were arm floaties involved). This fall is quickly turned into a little swim by Belinda which he hesitantly agrees to with some slight kicking but all the while saying "Bye Bye Swimming!" After drying off and having a cup of tea we headed home.  It really was a lovely day.  The Lord and Lady were so sweet and the house was beautiful yet very comfortable.  Just like how you would feel walking into a lived in, love filled home.
After the kids were in bed we realized something was not quite right with the dishwasher and washing machine....they were full of water when they shouldn't have been.  Not the best thing to discover when the man of the house is out of the country.  A few texts and a short phone call with the hubby and Belinda the Mum has turned into Belinda the Plumber.  By Sunday morning everything was working...Whew!   Two kids and a non functioning washing machine and dishwasher is not a good combo.
Sunday brought a whole different kind of water which involved wellies  We packed the kids up and headed to Brighton for a day at the seaside.  Yes this is the Brighton that is spoken of in many books and where Royalty would vacation or go to just be in the fresh sea air.

Hove Seaside (just outside of Brighton)

I think this might be my favorite place so far. Driving in I felt like I was entering a beach town but it still has that vintage feel.  It felt a bit like a combo of the playfulness of Coronado, the beauty of the Oregon Coast and the underlying class and sophistication of Del Mar also add in a slight dash of the old feel of Cardiff.  It is gorgeous!  I plan to go and spend a whole day there if possible.
We met Belinda's mum, sister and her sisters two kids at the beach.  The beach is half stones and half sand which is great for the kids.  They get the best of both worlds...rocks for throwing in the water and sand for digging and building castles.  Immediately the boys pull on their wellies and head down to the water to have a splash.  Of course Rudi (AKA Wobbles) ends up slipping in the small waves and gets drenched....Poor kid just can't seem to stay on his feet.  He took it like a champ and recovered nicely.

Wobbles mid tumble

We all had a brilliant time!  Belinda's family is so great and welcomed me in like I was part of the family.  Nannie (as the kids call Belinda's mom) may be one of the most lovely people I have ever met aside from George (her grandson).  The relationship they have was so beautiful to watch.  The only way I can describe it is they are connected to the soul...their sweet tender souls.  I feel lucky to know both of them.

George (in Rudi's stroller) with  Nannie

After the seaside we spent a few hours at Belinda's sisters house.  The cousins all played together and we had a cup of tea before we headed home.
Side note...I remembered the correct side of the car to get in on every time.  The small english gentleman who drove me from the airport was right...I am getting used to it.

Sunday night as I was laying in bed I couldn't help but reflect on the weekend and think how lucky I am to be surrounded by all these amazing people who are so willing to treat me like family.  It makes being far away from all of you my wonderful friends and family just a bit easier.....I still miss you all dearly but am so blessed here.

Beach Bath Huts  

Belinda and George...headed for a splash!

Design and Theater....

The Victoria and Albert Museum is known as one of the greatest design museum and I would agree.  I may not have extensive design museum experience but from what I have seen this one was pretty phenomenal.  I don't normally do the tour thing when I am at museums but they have a theater and costume one that seemed right up my ally.  The tour guide was just what you would expect...slightly nerdy, quite quirky with hair that fell just below his shoulders that he had to continually flip back over his shoulders dramatically when it fell forward.  I am pretty sure that he has it cut to just the right length so this hair flip has to happen.  He was very knowledgeable and had quite a few bits I would not have figured out on my own.  The museum has and extensive collection of costumes from tons of theater productions.  The highlight was 2 pieces from The Lion King.

Lion King costumes

 
These pieces were pretty spectacular up close.  The detailing was really intricate.  Also among the display in the theater area there was a full set up of what a dressing room looks like from a live pop stars show that is touring.  Closets that turn into rolling trunks and everything.  The one they have on display at the moment is ...wait for it....Kylie Minogue!  Oh yes, you heard me correctly.  I know you are all so excited right now you can hardly continue reading and have jumped up and are doing the "Locomotion"...Please, pull your self together and keep reading.  There is plenty of time for  doing the Locomotion after you have finished.

Kylie...Do the Locomotion with me!

Within this area there was also a ton of history....Here are a few bits you might not know and you can drop them casually into conversation and sound really cultured.
Most of you probably already know that when live theater started out in the time of Shakespeare women were not allowed to be on stage.  All women's roles were played by men or young boys depending on the role.  In 1660 Charles II signed a proclamation to allow ladies on the stage.  This museum has one of the two original signed documents.  So began the time of actresses.  Guys, just take a moment now and thank Charles for this because with out it there would not be (insert your favorite female actress here) on stage or in a movie it would still be a man dressed as a women.  Have a little think about that.
The second little bit is the term "Break a Leg" meaning good luck...ok I know you all have heard that...just give me a minute to explain.  Historically there were "Star" shaped openings in the stage floor that actors would be shot up through then land on the stage.  The only tricky part is the stage hands have to pull closed the wood panels that create this opening

Stage floor Star

    one by one before the actors feet hit the stage floor.  Now that takes some serious timing and really fast stage hands.  Needless to say many times it didn't quite make it closed and the actors unfortunatly would literaly break a leg in these stars.    And so was born the statement "break a leg"
Don't you feel just a bit smarter and cultured.  I hope so.  I really only scratched the surface of this museum and I plan to go back again for more.

 I will leave you all with one last thing...On my way out of the museum I made my first fashion find!  Check out the photo below of these fantastic bags!  They are called Suitcase and are made from vintage Gentlemen's suits.  They are hand made here in England and are full of treats inside and out.  Love...Love...Love these bags!  More fashion to come I promise!

Suitcase Bags...Treat central!

  

London...I've finally arrived

Destination London (Westminster to be exact)....via the district line from Kew Garden.  I love the tube!!!  So easy to figure out and the best thing is NO TRAFFIC!  Just hop on and ride.  I've got a straight shot for my debut ride on the tube today which is great.  No connections means less room for missed stops or crossed connections.  30 minutes and I am stepping out into London.  Up the stone steps of the tube station and into the city.  The moment my feet hit the pavement I am stopped in my tracks.  I am overcome by a wave of emotion I wasn't expecting.  As I stare directly up at Big Ben I get goosebumps.  I realize that this is the moment I have been talking about for the past 2 years....taking this adventure to London and experiencing it for a chunk of time.  Well now I am here and it's real!  Ok, sappy moment over...on with the day.
I begin my walk to the Tate Britain (the Tate Art Galleries have 2 parts, Tate Britain and Tate Modern in 2 locations along the river) and realize that apart from knowing the correct tube stop I have no idea where I am going and no map.  I guess I am feeling my way there...Maps are for sissy's...and I just start walking.  Lucky for me the British are so polite and want to make sure everyone is taken care of so there are signs with arrows pointing me in the right direction.

Side note...seriously all the signage is so polite.  Most of the time when I read a sign here I feel as if I am being spoken to by a sweet old lady who is concerned for my safety and just wants to make sure I am alright.  They even write on the ground the correct way to look before you step out into a crosswalk.  If that isn't the most considerate thing ever I don't know what is.  There may need to be a whole separate post about this signage thing.
Ok, back to the walk....I make it to the gallery without any issues and enjoy the stroll along the bank of the river.  The gallery is a lovely tour of British artists from the early 1600's to present.  It's a great look at the different events in Britain's history and how it has influenced art and design.  The romantics was an area that srtuck me the most.  One of the styles of that period was called Skying.  Yes it is exactly what it sounds like...lying on your back, looking at the sky and painting the clouds.  It was really cool to see the different types of views people could have just by looking up.

 After leaving the gallery I wandered into one of the royal parks and saw an adorable man who could have been anyones grandpa sitting and doing a lovely oil painting.  He tipped his had and winked as I walked by saying "lovely day, aye"  And a lovely day it was.  in fact I suppose I need to apologize for stealing the california sunshine and bringing it to England.  It has been gorgeous and sunny everyday since I have arrived.  The Londoners are out in full force enjoying it too.  The park was full of every type from moms and kids, to business men in suits.  There were also your standard couples on the blankets who forget they are in a public locations and take the make out session from PG to PG-13.  All in all the consensus seems to be play in the sun!

Millbrook Park (A Royal Park)

Tate Modern is down along the South Bank of the Thames river so after leaving the park I headed that way.  South Bank is a whole different world. How do I even describe it...It's a bit of Venice Beach, splashed with some fisherman's wharf and just a dash of Disneyland.  Yes Mickey and Minnie were present along with Shrek and a random Viking.  Ya, I know I was totally confused by it all so you will have to be also.  One I got passed all the madness it was quite a beautiful view walking past the house of parliament and seeing all the beautiful bridges.

Start of South Bank

Now let's talk about modern art for a moment.  I appreciate all forms of art but I have a hard time understanding and connecting with modern art.  I just keep trying thinking one day it's gonna click but it just hasn't yet.  If any one can explain it to me I would be forever in your debt.  I really did give it the old college try as I walked through the museum but much to my disappointment I was still not grasping how a slice in a plain canvas was the opening to my soul.  Maybe next time...I'm not giving up!  The really cool thing about my Tate Modern experience was seeing my first real life Picasso, and Dali.  Although nothing in the gallery will top walking around a corner and seeing up close the famous Water lilies by Monet.  I feel like I have grown up seeing that picture plastered on just about anything from mouse pads to coasters to playing cards so you would think it would just be "oh ya Ive seen that before" but, there was something magical about seeing it in real life.  There was a calming beauty to it that I had never felt by seeing it on all the common place items in my youth.

Same spot...2yrs later.  

   As my first day in London comes to a close I sit having a pint in St. Stephens Tavern and reminise once again for a moment.  It was 2 years ago this month that I sat in this same pub at this very table with my best friend and my mom and said I will live here at some point for some amount of time.....Raise a glass with me because it happened (mind you the night here 2 years ago was quite different then tonight but the sentiments the same and that night is a whole different story)
Cheers!

It's been a week...

I have reached my one week mark in England. It's amazing how easily you can fall into routine.....

The chimes of my alarm are ringing at 7 then it's downstairs for a bit of time with Rudi.  The hand off from Mum to me happens between bites of porridge with Rudi being none the wiser and Belinda now being freed up to tend to the waking George.  She passes me and leaves the room no words are needed as she hands me a cup of coffee, with cream and 2 sugars....just the way I like it.  The morning dance has begun.  We move through the house for the next few hours just prepping for the day.  Rudi and I spend some time speaking of and playing with hoovers, dryers and blenders.  Now, I'm going to pause here and explain the relationship Rudi has with cleaning, cooking and drying devices that make a bit of noise.  It's best described as a love-hate relationship.  He must be well aware of all their locations at all times with occasional viewing just to make sure they are good and in their proper spot.  I think Rudi must feel a bit like Dorthey in the Wizard of Oz but instead of "Lions, Tigers and Bears... Oh My!"  it's "Dryers, Hoovers and Blenders...Oh My!  He does love playing with his kid size Hoover that doesn't make any noise and watching Cebeebies (British Cartoons)...so we stick to that and keep the real things out of site.
Lauren(full time nanny) usally swoops in at some point and starts fussing about in the kitchen.  All the while Belinda and George are getting ready for school.  Once George is prepped and ready we all switch partners again.  Belinda takes Rudi on an outing, Lauren takes George to school and I take off...                

Yoga-Church Court Ally, Richmond

I get afternoons off which start with my new love Bikram Yoga.  I was taken to a class right before I moved and loved it (Thank you to the one who introduced me to this little treasure).  It has fit perfectly here for me and is a great workout.  Its also a lovely walk there and back.  As I am walking home from yoga today I am struck by how things are already looking and feeling familiar.  The great little black door with the bike out front...cross right then left at the round about....Richmond Church...nearly home....Kew Garden entrance...turn right.  These things happen with out even thinking about them.  It's so great I've easily been able to form a routine which makes me feel comfortable and content but also a great reminder that the routine must also adapt and change to include other experiences outside this comfort zone I have found so quickly.  It's so easy to forget that just by taking a new route somewhere you can have a whole different view on things.  We sometimes take advantage of our comfort level and forget to grow.
I am also reminded, as I sit in this little cafe and write, that some of our best experiences can come from being still and observing    

The Little Black Door

the moment.  While playing with Rudi in the garden the other day I was shown the wisdom of a child.....I was doing my best to get him interested in playing with everything in sight..run, jump, bounce, etc.  He totally ignored me, walked over to a stone step, sat down, patted the spot next to him and said " Sar-wa Sit....Listen...Bird, tweet, tweet...Bees, buzzzzz...Shhhhh."  
Oh sweet Rudi...Thank you for reminding me (and everyone reading this) to just be present in the moment you are in and soak it up.
I believe my full days off have come at the perfect time.  I am ready to venture out of little Kew and Richmond for the city. Tomorrow I head into London...the Tate museum and whatever else comes my way....more to come!

Richmond Church

Richmond and the Old Victorian....

We pulled up outside a house that looked a lot like the sweet little doll house every darling girl wants to play with when they are small.  I ring the bell and am greated by Michael, the husband who will be heading to America during the 6 weeks I am here, and Rudi, the precious little 18month old I will be tending to.  As soon as I am through the breeze way and bright blue front door Rudi toddles over with his curly ringlets, points his chubby little finger at me and says "Sa-wa" is his adorable english accent.  My heart melts immediately.  He proceeds to give me a tour of the "garden" which is what he calls his back yard.  They then show me around the house ending in my quaint little room which has a beautiful view of the famous Kew Gardens.  This home has more character then the little apartment I left behind although I do miss that sunset view occasionally.  In the true victorian style there is an "outside loo"  It does have plumbing but can be a bit chilly to use at night....Seriously does it get any better then that...a working outhouse!!!
Belinda (Mom and my partner in crime the next 6 weeks) and George (8 yr old) return home and we all spend the evening getting to know each other.  It's just lovely...we laugh and share stories over dinner like we have known each other much longer then just a few hours.  I sleep like a baby that night in my new home with my 6 week family.
The next day was filled with lots of "getting to know" the area outings. The full time nanny Lauren takes me under her wing and shows me the ropes.  We walked through downtown Richmond and along the Thames river with Rudi who was trying to figure out just the right way to lick an ice cream cone.  I suppose that is quite tricky if you've never really done it before.  As we walk I am just in constant awe of the beauty and history around every corner.  
A highlight of this day is was going with Belinda and George to his riding lessons (side note...I still tried to get in on the wrong side of the car again)  As we drove into the place where his riding lesson is I realize it is nothing like we are used to in the states.  No barns and farm houses....it's like you have stepped back into the 1600's as you drive-up to a huge castle/house called Ham House.  The horses live in true brick stables and a stable house that the woman who gives the lessons actually lives in.  Come to find out this house, which is really the size of little italy with land around it that stretches past the airport and up into bankers hill, has been passed down in the same family since it was built in the 1600's.  It was only given to the historical society in the 1950's.  Can you even imagine a house now a days being passed down from parent to child let alone through all those generations over hundreds of years.  It's just so amazing!

View From My Room

The weekend was a bit of a blur....unfortunately I spent Saturday very ill do to a recently famous english flu bug thats been all over the news (maybe I should have checked on that).  Sunday was a bit of recovery and some short walks around the neighborhood and into Kew Gardens.

Tomorrow starts regular work days which will be good...Working Early Mornings (PJ style), Afternoons off, and working evenings......and so it continues!

My Lovely Street