Month: January 2018

  A few photographs taken at Kensington Palace and from the Princess Dianna Exhibit

 

 

We have been in London, England for a week now, with one week left to go. As usual for us, this trip was pretty much a last minute decision. However, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to come and enjoy the fantastic show of  Christmas lights that London excels at. Truly, wherever you turn in this town during Christmas it is one blaze of lights and decorations each more magnificent than the last.

We have been doing the normal sightseeing, which never seems to get old, while adding in some different and truly special things along the way. Our daughter gifted us with a two hour sightseeing tour around London. This was a personalized tour in an original 1993 Mini Cooper named Daisy! What a great time we had whipping around all of the sights in that. Since we have seen all of the standard sights, Tony our escort took us to some of the “not so known to everyone” sights. What a wonderful time we had, especially when he was recreating the racing scene from the movie The Italian Job! Trust me, I was holding on tight as we raced through the alleyways that normal cars can’t make, but it was great!

Yesterday we actually got to do something I never would have believed possible as a kid growing up over here, we went behind the gates of Buckingham Palace. When the Queen is not in residence, they allow tours of the State Rooms that the Royal Family use to entertain their guests. We were shown through the formal foyer where we have all seen visiting dignitaries pose when visiting. We then proceeded up the grand staircase to the Throne Room, yes actually stood right next to Her Majesties throne and also the throne that belonged to Queen Victoria! We spent two hours strolling through all of the Palace wing that holds the rooms used for formal dinners and balls. My favorite was the Portrait Gallery. The most beautiful, longest room I have ever been in. It had four fireplaces and some of the finest paintings the world has ever seen. This is the room that Prince William and Kate chose to hold their wedding reception in. It was so awe inspiring to hear the guide explain exactly how it looked, down to where the wedding cake was situated, and to hear that Prince William had his own special favorite cake of chocolate and Rich Tea biscuits off to one side. I was not allowed to do any photography while inside, but trust me, it was truly magical. When we exited through the portico and out through one of the main gates at the front of the palace I felt almost royal! I must admit it was so overwhelmingly emotional to stand inside and know I was right where the royals call home.

Below are a few photos including “Daisy” in a tunnel filled with graffiti, part of the ceiling graffiti from the tunnel and a couple of shots to give you an idea of the Christmas decorations.