The State Rooms were exquisite. It was really neat to think that we were walking the same paths that the Royals walk. There were at least two art gallery rooms with skylights across the ceilings. Dan remarked that the natural light really emphasized the beauty of the paintings.
There was a large display about the efforts needed to prepare for a State Dinner, which was very interesting. There was a section about the Royal Dress Makers, who design and sew the dresses for the Queen. The girls and I got a laugh about the sketches they use to design the dresses. They have very detailed drawings of a lady with the svelte body of a supermodel wearing the dresses, but they have accurately sketched the Queen's current head on the body. I really wish I could have taken a picture of that. It still makes me chuckle.
The discovery that the kids enjoyed the most was a secret door in one of the State Rooms. It was almost impossible to spot. In the room, there is a fireplace flanked by two chests of drawers that are topped by huge mirrors. The chests have very ornate vases and statues on them. The entire piece is double hinged on one side so that it swings open to reveal a secret doorway to the Private Residences. The decorative objects are even secured to the chest so that they don't fall off when the door is opened.
One of the last rooms we toured was a sculpture gallery full of very valuable sculptures purchased by Queen Victoria and her husband Albert. Apparently, they liked to purchase each other huge sculptures as birthday gifts. Dan and I remarked that we should do that. I predict some rather tacky pieces of "yard art" as gifts in our future. If anyone can figure out a way to get back to Lexington one of those huge Loch Ness Monster yard sculpture pieces from the huge yard art dealer in Rockingham on the way to the beach, please let me know...
We were able to take a picture outside of Buckingham palace as we walked along the Garden path.
The kids had a quick photo opportunity dressed as Royal children.
They also had some fun in the Buckingham Palace Gift Shop while we shopped for a keepsake for Nana and Grandmom.
After a quick lunch, we arrived for our timed entry to the Queen's Gallery. The focus of the current exhibition surrounded botanical prints. Here are the girls looking at a painting of Hampton Court, which we hope to visit in person on Sunday.
There was a definite change in spirit around London on Friday afternoon. During the workweek, everyone seems so serious. Friday felt like anticipation of a party all around us. On our walk back to the Tube, I overheard a conversation between a young twenty-something and her grandmother, as they were sightseeing together. The girl said, "Look, you don't want to stay at my flat until 6:00. People begin to turn up 'round 4:00 and begin drinking. By 6:00, most of them will be drunk." I turned my head to look at them. They were very well-dressed, proper looking people. The pubs were overflowing with people sharing a pint on the surrounding sidewalks as well.
The only playground I was able to find on my maps was the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens. We headed there after our gallery visit along with what turned out to be half of London. The Friday festive atmosphere extended to the playground set. There was actually a queue to get in the playground, because they want to limit the number of people in at one time. Here is a pic of the queue and of a map of the playground. It is quite large.
We did finally get inside. The playground has a Peter Pan theme, so the kids climbed on a huge pirate ship. (Sidney opted out of the playground and chose to sit in the park with Dan and read.)
They also had teepees in which to hide. We had a random child photo bomber.
I also snapped a quick picture of the crowds inside the playground. This was just in one small portion.
We walked back to the flat a different way from the playground and discovered a school. Yay! I took a picture for Grandmom.
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