This England: A Hampstead Walk and a Play

It's lovely to start out the morning with good friends and that's exactly what Rick and I did after moving over to spend the last few days of our London visit with blogger Jenny and her her husband T. After kicking off the morning, we decided to split ways again. Rick and T would go for a bike ride. Jenny and I would take a long walk through Hampstead.

Hampstead is a beautiful area/neighborhood about fifteen minutes north of the center of London on the tube. We took off to see old houses and landmarks, passing by, among others, that of Sigmund Freud, continuing through narrow streets.

This England: The National Portrait Gallery

After our visit to the College of Arms and Gordon's wine bar, we had a bit of time before checking out of our hotel and moving over to Jenny and T's for a couple of days. Rick wanted to return to the guitar store so we split up. As I was walking down Charing Cross I noticed the National Portrait Gallery, which I had been interested in visiting. It seemed like a good time to do it, or at least do what I could.

The National Portrait Gallery is just one of many fine art museums in London. This one has the specific focus of portraiture in a variety of media, though most is photography or painting/visual art.

This England: Family History and Fine Wine!

In an earlier post I mentioned that one thing Rick really wanted to do while in England was explore a bit more of his family history. That included investigating a family tree pedigree dating his ancestry back to King Edward I of England.

About five or six generations back, a man named Melville M. Bigelow, who is related to Rick on his dad's side, had his pedigree officially validated by the College of Arms in London. The info Rick had also included written-in lists by someone in Rick's family, continuing the line through his grandparents' generation. We had an appointment at the College of Arms to meet with one of their heralds to see what was involved in getting the pedigree updated to include those "written in" generations and those that followed, including Rick's dad, brothers, and their offspring.

This England: A Day at the V&A

We are back to the last bunch of posts from England! If you were to ask me "what is the one museum I should visit during my very short time in London," I would probably say (unless you were into a specific topic, like "I only want to see art"), don't miss "The Victoria and Albert" (aka the V&A).

Why? Because it has it all. Decorative Arts. Painting. Photography. Sculpture. History. Jewelry. Glass. Architecture. Media and Performing Arts. And probably more than a few things I've forgotten.

At Home: One Last Post Before Back to England!

Just a few good things before I return to the last of England posts. 

Blogger Lisa was coming to Detroit for a business trip and she took the afternoon to drive up to East Lansing where I was lucky to meet TWO bloggers for the first time -- Lisa and blogger Maya (who lives here!)

At Home: Easter Fun

It finally feels as though spring has arrived here in Michigan. That doesn't mean it won't be cold, but not as cold or gloomy as it has been. Always a plus! I think celebrating a late Easter adds to the spring feeling. More sunshine. More flowers. More merriment.

Definitely more merriment.

At Home: Nature Is Waking Up!

It's been a bit since I've taken you to the Ditch. For that matter, it's been a bit since I've taken myself there. Cold, gray, gloomy weather doesn't make for a fun walk. But when the sun comes out, even if it's cold, it's time to venture forth!

Alas, I've not seen Harry the Heron yet, though I've heard he is back. But there are plenty of Canada geese!

At Home: Do You Support Public Broadcasting?

I always love it when I'm reading blogs and someone says they have been watching a show on PBS that I have been enjoying too. I even get a kick out of it when someone speaks of something on the network that might not be my favorite but that matters to them. Now is the time you might want to share that same thought with your US Representatives and Senators.

You  may have seen the article in the April 14 New York Times headed "White House Asks Congress to Claw Back Funding from NPR and PBS." Longtime Gypsy readers know that for 32 years I worked for our local public broadcasting stations, first for television only, then also TV and radio. It was truly a privilege to go to work each day for an organization that I was happy to support, whose services I personally used and valued. I am still a PBS/NPR supporter, viewer and listener. 

The early days of my public broadcasting life! Pledge breaks.

At Home: All Things Home

It's hard to believe that Easter is about a week away -- and it's as late as it can be this year, so we are well into official spring. Not that you would know it by the weather! But the mini-daffs, the first to pop each year, are looking perky outside and buds on the later spring bulbs. For the bigger ones? It's Trader Joe's! You go with what you can, right?

The house is looking a bit more springy. The spring/Easter decorations have been up for a bit, but I keep adding to them, moving them around!

At Home: Hands Off!

Though the numbers vary in different reports from 7,000 to 10,000, the headline about the "Hands Off!" rally this past week was spot on: "Thousands protest Trump's policies at Michigan State Capitol on Saturday" is an accurate one. 

Rick and I were among the crowd and it was an energizing, motivating, peaceful event. 

At Home: The Books of March

I finally feel like I'm getting closer to my reading stride! March was productive and with a good mix of subjects (but most, as usual, mysteries). The four mysteries (by Ann Cleeves, Deborah crombie, Louise Penny and Donna Leon) are all "series" books with beloved characters. Add to it a bio-fiction book and a non-fiction look at a favorite composer and you have my March list!

At Home: Early Spring Fun -- and Storms

I've been getting my house pulled together for Easter decorating at long last (and probably a way to go!). I did get a few things up early to celebrate the advent of spring, though you wouldn't know it from our weather.

I know many of my blog friends in Canada and New England were hit by snow and ice storms over the past couple of weeks. Michigan got them too, in the north. Power was out for close to a week (and still is in some areas) and the roads were covered with ice and downed trees. We were concerned but no one we contacted could even get out of their own yards straight away, much less check ours, in hopes none of our tall, thin pines came down. Finally, one of our down-state friends, whose cottage is near ours, went north to check on things. Here's a photo. If this is the worst we have to deal with, I can work with that. (That said, as I write this, another ice storm is in the offing up there for tonight or tomorrow, so we're not out of the woods yet, no pun intended.)

At Home: More March Merriment

March moves on, breathing hot and cold. (Well, "hot" is a bit of an overstatement!) We plod on too, waiting for spring to stick, grabbing nice days when we can and hibernating on those less so. 

 

I enjoyed a fun painting day with my friend Kate, starting on my England travel journal with a title page. I have a feeling that by the time I finish the whole book, I will have already returned to England or somewhere equally lovely. (And no plans are in the offing!)

At Home: Reading Through February

I thought I should share the February books before March passes us by! February was a short and slightly disruptive month in my world. I had exhausted my supply of short books to add to quantity but I have several good ones to share with you this month.

At Home: Making Merry in March

It's time to take another break from the England posts and do a little home catch-up. Overall, late February and March have  been a good months for the most part. We are beginning to see signs of spring, indoors and out. And while I'm not so naive to believe that winter is done rearing its ugly head for good, knowing that warmer days, bluer skies and beautiful blooms are on the way is a mood lift to be sure!

This England -- A Church, a Pub and Theatre!

After our last post, visiting by the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, we decided to head back across the river and check out some of the buildings of the City, the square mile where much business takes place. We first stopped into All Hallow's by the Tower Church, the oldest church in the City of London and founded before the Tower itself, in 675AD. The altarpiece in the sanctuary, dates to 1957 and depicts The Last Supper, as seen by artist Brian Thomas.

 

An interesting fact is that the Great Fire of London started several hundred yards from the church, but the church itself survived. Admiral Penn, the father of William Penn (for whom Pennsylvania was named) and Samuel Pepys watched the city burn from the church's tower. Young William Penn was baptized there and American president John Quincy Adams was married there. It took World War II to damage the church, which was largely rebuilt after the war. (Only the walls and tower remained.)

This England: A Tower, A Bridge, and the Joys of Walking Around

After a full day (HERE and HERE) and a bad sleeping night (it was time to break out the emergency medicine my doc sent with me), we decided on a day of meandering. With theatre tickets that night  and a late start, we could do as much or as little as we could manage. So, we decided we'd head toward the Tower of London.

As we approached, we passed through a tunnel with quite a wonderful art installation of some lovely paintings depicting British history by artist Stephen Whatlely.

I loved his colorful, abstract look at a walk through English history, highlighting such things as William the Conqueror, Queen Elizabeth I and even the ravens of the Tower.

This England: From West End to Westminster and a Dinner to Die For!

I left off last time as we were in London's West End, just having wrapped up a lovely concert at St. Martin's in the Field. We had decided to go to Evensong at Westminster Abbey that afternoon and there is always a queue, so we thought we'd amble that way down Whitehall.

Charing Cross Road turns into Whitehall just after Trafalgar Square and as one approaches the government buildings. You'll find the Churchill War Rooms and museum in his area (highly recommended -- you can see an older post here) and 10 Downing Street. You'll also pass a number of war memorials, which I wrote about back around Veteran's Day HERE.

This England: In London's Colorful West End

I love London's West End with its theatres, book stores, and more. Best of all, it's very walkable and so after our hearty English breakfast we set out for this area. The first thing we encountered as a marvelous (and totally unexpected) video installation focusing on the musical "The Lion King," which was celebrating 25 years on stage in London's West End.

There were enormous projections, along with models of costumes and the marvelous masks and puppetry. My photos of the costumes weren't good ones but this one intrigues me with its reflections.

This England: Bletchley Park

Rick ticked off a bucket list activity when he went to Wigmore Hall. For me, the bucket list item to tick was a visit to Bletchley Park. This place, where some say "England won the war" by deciphering the German codes, has intrigued me through countless books, films ("The Imitation Game," among others) and television ("The Bletchley Circle).

This England: Back in London with Music, Shopping and a Special Meet-Up!

When last we left our happy travelers, we had completed a road trip to Basildon Park, Hungerford, Burford, Snowshill Manor and Hughenden. We arrived home in time to get to a guitar concert at the wonderful crypt at St. Martin In the Field.

At Home: Trying to See the Light

We are finally seeing some sun here and slightly warmer temperatures. On occasion, that is. Well, significantly warmer temps than before, but inconsistent. When I started this, it was 51F and after lots of days in the 20s and 30s, that's a gift. The sun was  even more of a gift! Today we're back to gray sky and 39 but hey -- it's not single digits or twenties or snowing. We need a little warmth and light these days. A little peace, a little love. (And music is good too!)

As you know, I rarely talk politics on this blog. I suspect in most cases of followers here, I'm speaking to the converted, but I know not all of you share my political stance -- and it's probably no secret where I fall in that zone. I tend to save that for other spaces. But lately, I've found so many things upsetting, things that affect us all, and I have to take a minute to write on that, before I go on to cheerier things below.

At Home: More from the Orchid Show

Are you living in a world of white? Our snow is melting and should be much gone by the end of the week (apart from the big drifts where it has been stacked up by plows!) But last week I went for a color burst -- an orchid show.

 

My friend Barb suggested it and I'm so glad she did. The place was packed with beautiful displays as well as a number of vendors, an art exhibition and one by the local Ikebana group.  

At Home: Good Things

I have been pretty distressed about things going on in our country and our world and while I try to steer clear of politics here, I might have a couple of things to say before returning to the London posts again. And, if has been a very rough month health-wise. But there have been some good things, too. Like our recent Cork Poppers gathering, which I wrote about HERE.

Cork Poppers Go for the Reds, Whites, and Blue (label!)

Our wine tasting group, the Cork Poppers, met with the theme "The Red, White and Blue," and the assignment to bring a red, white or blue wine (don't laugh, someone once did); a wine from a red, white or purple state, or just something reflecting those colors.

 

In other words, a good "anything goes" theme!

At Home: The Michigan History Museum

When Rick's mom visited in November, we were short on things to do! Mobility was an issue, so long walks weren't on the agenda (and the weather got really cold during her visit); all the theatres had finished their current offerings and holiday events hadn't started. But there was one thing we could do -- visit the Michigan History Museum. 

 

I am wondering if I'd ever really "done" the museum before. I know I had been there for work events "back in the day," but I'm not sure I ever saw it all. I was quite pleased.

January's Book Shelf

The Polar Vortex has its challenges. But it brings with it time to dig into those Christmas books! Here's a look at a couple of foodie-biographies, a fiction novel (novella?), a political biography, a fun mystery and a lovely art book.

At Home: A Julia Child Road Trip

If I was having an "imaginary dinner party" and inviting people who have fascinated me over time, living or dead, Julia Child would be on the list. (That is, assuming I'd have the confidence to serve food to the Queen of the Kitchen! Maybe it should be a pot luck.) So, when a Julia Child exhibit came to Jackson, Michigan, about a half hour from home, my friend Kate and I decided that this would be our "Holiday Experience" (in lieu of presents, more or less!) I'm so glad we went!

At Home: Celestial Sounds in the Living Room

Back in "the day," the great and the good hosted salons in their homes. These were occasions that were either musical or literary and might include performance or discussion. (I suppose, in a way our contemporary book clubs are a salon of a sort.) They have existed since the first salon in Italy in the 16th century. Some of the greatest works of Faure, Poulenc, Debussy and Ravel got their start in the salon. 

Photo: Sharon Emery

Over the past year or so, Rick has brought that tradition to his home with house concerts by classical musicians. His first was with guitarist Onur Alkavuklar, and it was Onur who suggested Rick ask harpist Belle Coty to perform. I'm glad he did.

Year In Review -- The Annual Book Report

At long last, it's time to look at last year's books, the favorites (and the also-rans.) 2025 was far from my best reading year -- but within that year were plenty of wonderful books. I only pulled in 47 books this year, with a total of 14,947 pages. But I was pleased to see that my "favorites" list crossed many genres -- non-fiction, biography, mystery and history. I also found some authors new to me, meaning I can expand the hunt for used volumes. Here we go! (Links connect to the posts in which I reviewed the books.