Summer Holiday in England

We just finished the first week of our summer holiday here in England and, boy, did we have fun!  Come along and see what we did...

1) Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour

It was absolutely fantastic to see the place where all 8 HP movies (that's the official lingo) were made.  It's about 45 mins from our house in the outskirts of London.  You drive up to basically a huge warehouse that's been converted into Harry Potterville ~ sets, costumes, props, cinematography, audio production, architecture/engineering offices, and more.  As they said in the tour, it became the home away from home for all of the cast members for 10 years.  They celebrated birthdays together, bonded with the cast and crew members, and even attended school there.  

We all know Harry Potter is huge.  But it really becomes evident when you go on the tour and see how it all came together.  It's a combination of an incredibly talented author (who was very much involved in the selection of the cast - English actors only), and the vision and know-how (not to mention money) of Warner Brothers, and hundreds of really talented people to pull it all together.  Plus, technology and the internet ~ because you know the magic didn't happen on its own!

Check out the pictures ~ you'll be sure to spot many famous things!

Inside the studio

The Great Hall 

Luna Lovegood's and Professor Lockheart's costumes

Mirror of Erised

Hogwarts Clock Tower

Gryffindor Common Room

Dumbledore's Office

Can you guess who's sword this is?
 

Staircase (perfectly suspended)

The Weasley Home

London underground

Makeup, camera, action!

Diagon Alley

Architects office (one of many)!

Model of Hogwarts (used to film the overhead shots)

A named wand for every cast member (in all 8 HP movies)

Sorting Hat (in the gift shop)

2) The smashing new musical hit on the West End, Matilda

Wow, what a fabulous musical!  I can honestly say it is perhaps one of the best shows I have ever seen.  It's Roald Dahl's interpretation of his book and it is taking London by storm.  Its dark and delightful, and tells the story of a smart young girl who uses books and her imagination to escape her horrid life ~ scandalous parents, an evil school, and the fate of her existence.  She wins over the hearts of the town librarian and her school teacher; the only do-gooders in the whole play.  The dialogue is fantastic, the children (who comprise over half the cast) are phenomenal and the choreography is over the top, not to mention the special effects.  Mac says its the new Annie (but much better) and the London Times is comparing it to Billy Elliot which continues to dominate the West End.  It won a record breaking seven Olivers (equivalent to our Tonys) and it's still going strong.  The lead character, Matilda, is shared between four girls. We saw Eleanor Worthington-Cox who was the original Matilda.  She was amazing, and did I tell you she is 11 years old?  Unbelievable.  It's a wonderful play, and it's coming to New York in 2013.  Go see it!

The Caledonian Challenge: 

A SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

(Here's what the website has to say...)

The classic challenge is to complete 54 miles in 24 hours. It is the physical equivalent of completing the London Marathon twice, PLUS: in terms of the total amount of up and down, two ascents of Ben Nevis - all without sleep. It is tough - but it is achievable!  

This epic journey will take you through some of Scotland’s most famous, remote, rugged and stunningly beautiful highland landscapes.  Starting at Gairlochy, north of Fort William, your team will follow the famous Great Glen Ways and West Highland Way footpaths via Checkpoints at Fort William, Kinlochleven, Glencoe Mountain Centre and Inveroran, before finishing the Challenge at Auchtertyre, inside the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.  

(Now here's the real deal...)

This has been an incredible experience!  Mac was on a team with three other guys, appropriately named, "Tuff e Nuff", and tough enough they were!  They completed the race in under 17 hours, and their team came in 11th out of 150, most teams finished around 23 hours, but some teams were hiking for 28 hours.  Mac said it was challenging, especially the last twenty miles because his feet were torn up and his socks were wet.  However, he felt good most of the time; it was just a matter of mind over body.  They met some really great people along the way and enjoyed the Scottish highland scenery.  Plus, they only hiked a tiny bit in the darkness as it doesn't get dark there until close to midnight, and he actually spent the night in his bed instead of on the trail which was a huge bonus.  He arrived home late Sunday night to an impromptu Father's Day celebration, but I think the real highlight was the greeting he received when he walked through the door. All in all a good trip and a great memory that will last forever!  Thanks to all for donating and supporting Mac and the cause.  The money will be distributed to different charities throughout Scotland.  Well done Mac!

Today was the last day of school; our time here is coming to an end.  Here is a list of things we will miss about England and living abroad...

Rapeseed

Public Footpath

* Everything English: the narrow roads, the sheep that dot the countryside, the thatched roofs and quaint houses, tea and biscuits, rapeseed (brilliant yellow fields that randomly pop up in the spring and can be seen for miles) the lack of service, the pound coin, no doggie bags (foil, really!), the accents and words (everything is "lovely" and "brilliant"), waiting hours to see a doctor (NHS), biking through the heath, London and traveling abroad (Paris for a weekend!), the weather (it's always fall here with a spot of rain), High Street (every town has one), Cobham (feels just like Madison but with British flags), the parking (pay and display), the speed cameras that send you tickets in the mail, all the English foods (steak and ale pie, mince pie, sausage rolls, English breakfast (eggs, ham, fried tomatoes, baked beans, and hash browns), yorkshire pudding (popover) and sticky toffee pudding (OMG, delicious!), horseback riders on public footpaths, the postal carrier who arrives by bike, queuing (the Brits will queue forever!), Bucks Fizz (a.k.a. Mimosa), Union Jack (its everywhere), Oxshott Train Rail - so quaint!, and perhaps most of all...roundabouts because you never need to turn around when your lost!

*Our Friends: Alfonso (who owns a cheese farm in Spain and sells to Waitrose), Matthew (who is American but has lived in England all his life), Rio (who has taught us things about Japan we never knew), Oscar (from Denmark who has an elevator in his house), Justin (from Germany, who's mom was interrogated and searched when trying to enter East Germany as a teenager), Lorenzo (from Argentina and loves football), Remy (from NY who has a deep Brooklyn accent), Philip and Henrik (from Norway who have moved back home), our British neighbors who have made our experience here wonderful and taught us everything we know about the English, all the international ladies who live in the neighborhood - they span the world - and so many others who are staying and/or moving on.

High Wycombe (Daws Air Force Base)

*Everything in between: our house and the woods that surround us, the BUS!, our wonderful school ACS, FOOTBALL (my boys are crazy about it and wear their kits everyday), Fulham matches at Craven Cottage ("He kicks with his left, he kicks with his right, that good 'ole Dempsey, he's alright"), baseball at High Wycombe (and the 7 hours we spend there each weekend!), John Wells and the American hamburgers (breakfast, lunch, and dinner at High Wycombe), OLD MAN'S FOOTBALL (Mac's favorite pastime on Sunday mornings), English Experience and all the castles I've seen, PUBS (there's one on every street corner), the lovely English gardens, Oxshott Royals, Cub Scouts and all the fun we've had, and Barclay's Bank...because for 3 years we got free withdrawls from our US account!

Fulham match at Craven Cottage

Its official ~ Mac is off to the Scottish Highlands to take the Caledonian Challenge ~ 54 miles in 24 hours.  The race begins Saturday at 7 a.m. and ends Sunday morning, Father's Day.  Hopefully, we'll receive word when he crosses the finish line.  Maybe we'll even get a picture!  Stay tuned for more info...

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ~ Four days of celebration

June 2-5, 2012

God Save Bless the Queen!  London is celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to commemorate 60 years on the throne.  It has only happened one other time in history, in 1897, when Queen Victoria reached this victorious milestone.  The celebration has been in the works for many years and comes with a rigorous four-day schedule.  They threw in an extra bank holiday to accommodate the festivities.  Everything is closed Monday and Tuesday (which is why I love it here – we would never get an extra holiday in the US, and we don’t even have a Queen)!  She is not young; she’s 86 years old.  However, she has been a steady pillar in Great Britain, and continues to represent the qualities England stands for – strength and resilience. “Keep calm and carry on”.  The motto is everywhere, on bumper stickers, coasters, plaques, and signs.  They can’t say it enough!

Queen Elizabeth II never intended to be Queen.  When she was just 11 years old when her life changed dramatically.  Her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne and then her father, King George VI, died suddenly leaving her to become Queen at the young age of 26.  She was thrust into power and has reigned ever since ~ 60 years and counting.  The amazing thing is just about everybody loves her. Her popularity rating has remained steady over the decades and she has become a fixture in British history. 

The time has come to celebrate!

 

The jubilee began on Saturday with a day at the races, the Epsom Derby, which is a passion of her Majesty.  She has been in attendance every year since her coronation in 1926. It is said to be her favorite event and goes in her diary the first of January.  Of course, this was a ticketed event so we were not there, but we celebrated at school on Friday with our own Jubilee flag raising.  The whole school, all 1,460 students gathered around the flagpole while we raised the English flag and sang “God Save the Queen”.  It was memorable indeed. 

 

Sunday marked the pageantry of boats down the River Thames.  The flotilla was a scene not to be missed.  We traveled downtown and lined the banks, right at Vauxhall Bridge (just two stops up from the famous Tower Bridge).  We arrived at 10 am and we were armed with snacks, games, camping chairs and even a disposable step ladder – a tip picked up from the Royal Wedding.  Five hours flew by and the flotilla began at 2:30 pm sharp.  One thousand boats led the parade and was followed by the Herald Barge, which carried eight giant bells, one named after each senior member of the royal family.  There was the royal Row Barge, which looked like a huge gondola.  That was a site to see.  The 56 rowboats each carried a flag from the commonwealth and spanned the River Thames. The Queen and royal family came downstream on the newly refurbished Spirit of Chartwell.  They were stunning and the site was picture perfect.  We didn’t stick around for the rest of the flotilla because we had to get home so we could get back for a Jubilee river cruise.  However, I heard the steamboats and the Dunkirk war ships were spectacular.  We toured the city at night and saw London all dressed up in colorful red, white and blue lights.  The union jack was everywhere – on jackets, street signs, billboards, and more!

Monday featured the picnic at Buckingham Palace and the Diamond Jubilee Concert.  Fifteen hundred people were lucky enough to win tickets online and attend the picnic on the palace grounds.  Everyone got a beautiful picnic basket, a royal jubilee three-course lunch, and of course diamond jubilee ponchos were available to wear or sit upon, depending on the weather.  It was a lovely event and so royal, complete with tea, crumpets, and only a spot of rain.

The concert was something I could have never imagined, and I only viewed it on the telly from my living room settee.  They set up a stage in front of the palace, surrounding Queen Victoria’s statue, and the audience filled the circle and the long stretch of the “mail” (mall).  They show cased many artists from Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Stevie Wonder, Madness, my favorite Ed Sheeran, and more.  What was most impressive was the light show they projected onto Buckingham Palace, which took on many facades of the different houses in England – perfectly paired with Madness’ song “My House”, which they sang from the rooftop of the palace.  It was a spectacular image.   The night ended with Price Charles giving a fitting thank you speech, and the Queen lighting the final beacon of light across the Commonwealth. 

I think what was most memorable was the sentimental feelings the concert conveyed.  It spoke to the Queen as well as the world, with multiple tributes, and heartfelt lyrics and music.  The music was dynamic and grew louder as the night went on.  The Queen was said to enjoy herself despite the fact her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was “taken unwell and was in hospital” as Charles annouced.  She showed no sign of distress.  Stay calm and carry on.

Tuesday, the final day concluded with a national service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral followed by a horse-drawn carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace, and then a balcony appearance to see the 60-gun salute and flyover.  Wow, they sure know how to party.  I am exhausted and I only attended one event.  The Queen must be smashed, as they say.  The party is finally over, but the Queen will reign on.  

Lyrics to God Save the Queen:

God save our gracious Queen


Long live our noble Queen


God save the Queen


Send her victorious


Happy and glorious


Long to reign over us


God save the Queen

Three cheers for her Majesty, “Hip, hip, hooray.  Hip, hip, hooray.  Hip, hip, hooray.”