London

We just got back from a fantastic trip. We took a train from Glasgow to London, after seeing London and the Harry Potter Studios, we took another train to Manchester, which was our only spot of bad weather, then we flew to Dublin and saw the city and Guinness and flew back to Glasgow. I think I will share stories and pictures in separate posts by cities.

Glasgow Central Station, ready to board the first train.

Our hotel room in London had an upstairs. Malachi was impressed, Gabe, not so much.

When we arrived in London, it was already dark and not much was open. We wandered through Kensington Gardens for just a bit and then found dinner. The boys were still showing signs of travel fatigue so an early night was a good idea anyway. Sadly, the palace was never open at a time when we could be there based on our schedule so Malachi had to miss out on walking the Wiggly Walk in the main garden.

Looking at the Sunken Garden with Kensington Palace in the background.

We booked tickets for the Original Bus Tour of London, and it was a fantastic experience. Highly recommend. Our passes were good for 48 hours and were hop on - hop off at all the major sights. We could also use it to get around the city. The boys wanted most to see Big Ben, or as Malachi said, "Big Bentley" (Thank you, Cars 2). So we took a bus from the Hyde Park/Kensington area and linked up to the route that went by Picadilly Circus (which frankly, based on TV, I thought was bigger). We went through Trafalgar Square, and eventually on to Parliament and Big Ben. We also passed by Westminster Abbey, across London Bridge, up to the Tower Bridge and on to the Tower of London where we disembarked. 

Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament

Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament from the water

Big Ben

The boys were less impressed than I expected, but the trouble was, as far as they were concerned, Mom was just making them see boring stuff until they were able to go to Harry Potter. 

Tower Bridge, often mistaken for the London Bridge

Going over the Tower Bridge

Tower of London

Tower Bridge

At the Tower of London, which we did not enter because we had been warned that it was overpriced and we were short on time, we boarded a ferry and went down the Thames to see sights from the water. We saw the Globe theater (which isn't the real one, since that burned down long ago, but it was styled how it would have looked). We learned that the lion's heads along the river were not only places to moor boats, but also a flood warning system. When the water reached the lion manes, the river was going to flood the city.

Big Ben from the Thames.

After the boat ride, we went up to Westminster Abbey. And as they would phrase it here, the price to enter was extortionate! For a family to enter it was ₤44, which is about $68. So, yeah, no. We didn't go in.

I thought it was interesting that so many monuments, memorials, buildings, pubs, etc. were in honor of Prince Albert and Princess Diana - probably the two most popular royals - and they were ones who married in, so what does that say?! But in reality, they were both young when they died which has a lot to do with it, I think.

Then we were off to the train station for a train to Watford Junction for Harry Potter. This is not an amusement park like in the states, it is a collection of the actual sets and props used in the movie. 

 

Comparing their hands to Emma Watson's. (Daniel Radcliffe's in the middle, and Rupert Grint on the end.)

We sat in a cinema to watch a brief film about making Harry Potter which was narrated by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The guide was funny. He had us all cheer by sections, but the way the seating was, Gabe, Malachi, and I were in the center by ourselves so he called our section and the boys sold me out. I was the only one cheering like a loon. Then the guide said since we all like it so much, we would watch a film, actually all eight movies back to back, "see you tomorrow..." ha, ha, ha. But the really cool thing was that the actors went through the doors into the Great Hall and shut them. The screen went up and we were facing the actual doors. Nice touch.

The Great Hall decorated for Christmas.

The boys were given passports and could emboss stamps on the pages at different locations which was cool. We saw lots of interiors. The boys did the green screen thing where they look like they are flying on broomsticks. The pictures were actually reasonably priced so we bought one for each.

4 Privet Drive

The back lot with the outdoor scenes like Privet Drive and the bridge at Hogwarts and also the Knight Bus and various vehicles. But the glorious part of that was .... Butterbeer....! Mmm. It was delicious. Butterscotch-y, but something more. The foam on top was thick and creamy, nothing like usual foam on beer. It tasted sort of, but not quite, marshmallow-y. 

We saw the actual Maurader's Map, and learned how all the props were fully designed. The newspapers, were filled in throughout, not just a few pages. The books had actual potions and such within them rather than black pages. The amount of detail that went into it, even the parts where we would have never seen it in the movie, was just so amazing. 

Maurader's Map

Inside of a Daily Prophet. Matt really liked the 'Cross Runes.'

Diagon Alley was pretty cool. Though somehow I managed only terrible pictures. It happens.

The scale model of Hogwarts was particularly special. Since it's near Christmas, they showed it snow covered. That was a side benefit of our timing since it's only like that for about a month of the year.

It took us four hours to go through. It's self-paced so you can take as long as you like. The boys were enthralled; I think it was the only part of the trip they didn't complain about being tired or sick of walking. :)

Choosing our wands... or letting the wands choose us.

After arriving back in London, we walked over to King's Cross and found Platform 9 3/4.

The next day, and our last day in London, we went on a walking tour for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. This only happens every other day. Our bus tour included the walking tour as part of the package. It started near Trafalgar Square so we explored that while waiting. Our tour was great. I didn't even know that it began at St. James' Palace where the old guard would march up to the palace. But thanks to the tour, we saw part of the changing of the horse guard, then the beginning of the changing of the guard at St. James' Palace. We then actually marched with the guard (okay, on the sidewalk, alongside, but still,) to the palace. 

The beginning of inspection at St. James Palace.

St. James Palace. The gray coats are the winter uniform. The iconic red is only worn in the summer.

Marching to Buckingham Palace.

Then our guide got us up to the fence and we saw some of the changing of the guard. The whole process takes 40 minutes and we didn't stay for the whole time. One thing we learned was that while marching, they have to play military tunes, but other times they can play what they feel like. Since most of the middle of the changing of the guard is really boring, to entertain the crowd, they started playing songs from the movie "Frozen." The boys liked that.

Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace.

Malachi got his head stuck in the bars of the fence. Because, of course something like that would happen. He was trying to angle for a better view and slipped his head in, the crowd had just realized how much we could see from our position and had surged forward so we were all pressed in. Then Chi yelled that his head was stuck and he was hurting his ears by pulling hard trying to free himself. I had to stop him, and politely the whole crowd gave way so I could have room to manuever. I pinned his ears to the side of his head and slipped him out. Thank goodness it was that easy! His ear was sore from when he tried to pull his head out though.

After all that excitement, it was time to say goodbye to the Queen (not really. She was in residence, but not like we saw her) and head for the train station and on to Manchester.   

Bonfire Night and a Drop In Session

Remember, remember!
    The fifth of November,
    The Gunpowder treason and plot;
    I know of no reason
    Why the Gunpowder treason
    Should ever be forgot! 

Last week was Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, the anniversary of the foiled plot to bomb Parliament in 1605. So there were festivities at Glasgow Green and a group of us went. There wasn't a bonfire. As you can imagine why, the city has banned those. Instead they celebrate with fireworks. 

They had the display set to music. Apparently the theme changes each year, and this year was "Superheros" so all the theme music from superhero movies. (Some of it was a stretch... Transformers? Superheros, really, Glasgow?) The fireworks were really, really well done. Among some of the best I have seen, actually. We also lucked out with the weather, since it was in the 40s and no rain. So, it was a lovely night. I'd show you pictures, but it was dark and my phone doesn't have a flash so I really didn't manage any good ones.

I ended my night with one of the weirdest experiences. In the middle of the city, while waiting for a bus, I came face to face with the biggest fox -- yes, fox! -- I have ever seen. I heard something rustling in the bushes, but honestly just assumed a drunk person had fallen over. I turned to check and I was looking at this huge fox. In the city, not suburbs, city. I stepped back away from it, and it looked at me for a long moment and then turned and ran the other direction. And I stood there dumbfounded, thinking "Did you just see that?!" But, no. No one did because I was alone.

When my housemate and I had company over for dinner, they brought treacle tart for dessert. I have to say, I had no idea what to expect, and I now know I had envisioned it entirely wrong all those times reading Harry Potter...

Treacle tart with double cream.

Tonight, I had another Scottish experience. After class a few of us went to the Bappity Bowster for a drink. And though I had heard of the existence of such things, it was my first time being at a pub for an informal "session." A session is when musicians just drop in and play together for the enjoyment of it. It was fantastic to hear the traditional tunes, and the musicians were clearly having fun. 

My best photo, but half the pub was filled with musicians. 

Cheers, mate.

Here are some pictures from Skye that Steffi took. Proof of my enjoyment on the trip. :)

I've been very focused on academics the last couple weeks. It's going fast and I have several assignments coming due in the next two weeks, so I haven't really gone anywhere or done many exciting things. But I have enjoyed the company of many people here in town.

Katie, Steffi, and I went to a pub called the Bappity Bowster, follow the link to learn about the name -- it's hilarious. But the ambiance is so fantastic. I think I may have to set up shop and work from there from now on. That should be productive...

They didn't want their picture taken. This was a compromise photo, only half faces.

I'm always trying recognize interesting differences that might intrigue or amuse people at home. So here are a few random things:

• It's the toilet or the loo, never a restroom. (And if there isn't a bath, why would you call it a bathroom?)
• They don't get drunk, they get pished. (As least if you were raised in the Hebrides. I've heard pissed before, but here, the people I know say pished.)
• Which brings me to - there is no such thing a the Scottish accent. There are multiple Scottish accents, and funny enough, they can't always understand each other. :)
• Cheers is a sort of universal word. Mostly it means 'Thanks.' So, to the driver when you get off the bus or to someone who holds the door for you, you can say Cheers. But I've also seen written and heard spoken as hello and goodbye. I will say more men say cheers than women though so I'm never sure if I should use it or not, but it's a nice happy expression.
• Gaelic. More people in the States associate Gaelic with Ireland, but it's part of both Irish and Scottish heritage. Though there are differences. Including the two Irish people I've heard say it pronounce it Gay-lick, but the Scots pronounce it Gal-lic.
• Ques are very important social constructs. Don't mess with the que. Get in line at the back and wait your turn, even if there are only two people.

 I will hopefully have something interesting to share after Wednesday -- It's Guy Fawkes Day, or Bonfire Night as the Scots call it. Though there won't be a bonfire here; there will be fireworks though.