Tuesday, January 29, 2019

London: A Palace, A Hotel and a Quirky, Fascinating Museum

We've visited art galleries and palaces, toy shops and antique markets, concerts and churches in these posts. All part of a wonderful holiday in our favorite city! Our time in London was coming to a close and still so much to do, and a couple of things to share before my "travel break" in the next week or so. (Just because I'm remembering and sharing all this doesn't mean life hasn't gone on here with baby grands, cooking classes, art classes and making my home cozy for winter! You're probably ready for a break, too!)

Rick really wanted to see the Goring Hotel -- this is one that holds a warrant to the Queen and the spot where Kate Middleton and her family stayed the night before the Royal Wedding. So we took the tube to Victoria station and en route stopped by Buckingham Palace.


The Queen was in residence, we noted, by the flying of the Royal Standard.


No balcony appearances, though. Oh well...


And alas, no guard to change. We'd seen that before but it's always fun. Only a guard walking about.


But then we heard sounds from down the way and soon a parade of sorts.


It wasn't a long parade... now you see it, now you don't!


But it was followed by the Royal Pooper Scooper. Certainly a nice touch, especially for the tourists!


And shortly after that a carriage drove through the gates. We weren't sure who they were (no one turned about or waved) but we later learned they were either from Malta or Bulgaria. Both attended the palace that day, according to the Court Circular.


"His Excellency Mr. Joseph Cole was received in audience by The Queen today and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Commission as High Commissioner for the Republic of Malta in London. Her Excellency Mrs. Jacqueline Zaba Nikiema was received in audience by Her Majesty and presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor and her own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from Burkina Faso to the Court of St. James's."...  The President of the Republic of Bulgaria and Mrs. Radeva visited The Queen this afternoon. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were represented by the Lord Taylor of Holbeach (formerly Lord in Waiting to The Queen) at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Work of the Baroness Jowell (formerly Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) which was held in Southwark Cathedral this morning. The Prince of Wales was represented by the Earl of Rosslyn. The Duke of York was represented by Sir Andrew Cahn. The Princess Royal was represented by the Lord Coe. Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy was represented by Mrs. Peter Afia."


(Which sounds to me like all the A-list were being represented by someone else, with the exception of the Queen to the fellow from Malta. But what do I know? Maybe they always have stand-ins.)


It was a short walk to the Goring from there. We contemplated visiting the Royal Mews but settled for the gift shop instead. It was a lovely walk, perfect sunny day.


It's an impressive hotel, located a few blocks from the Palace.


I have to say I loved their flowers.


And no one could say they didn't have their British spirit on display.


The Royal Warrant was on display, too.


Then we went back past the palace and had a lovely walk through Green Park. Which was really more yellow on this October day.


It was time for a foot break (pun not intended, since it wasn't actually broken!) and we enjoyed watching people in the park.


And pigeons too!


I've said it before and will again -- the Brits are wonderful with their green space, which certainly makes massive cities much more inviting -- especially for those who aren't able to drive out to the country so easily!


We hopped the tube and headed to Sir John Soane's House. This is one of those little gems that you sometimes see in guidebooks, but I don't think it gets the press it deserves. They didn't allow pictures within so these are from my postcards or sourced from wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia

In 1792, Soane, an architect who built the Bank of England and was responsible for modifications to the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster, along with many other known buildings. He bought, demolished and rebuilt three adjoining houses in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. The buildings, joined together, would be not only his home but an office and exhibit space for his many collections. This is a view of the gallery.

Source: Wikipedia

Soane was a serious collector of many things but particularly art and antiquities. He kept expanding the house, rebuilding parts and opening up spaces to give him more room for his displays, eventually opening his home to his students at the Royal Academy to assist in their studies.


I wish I could have shown you the sarcophagus of Egyptian king Seti I. It was enormous and housed in the home's crypt. (How many homes do you know with a crypt?) His art collection included works by Turner and Canaletto, among others, and Hogarth's "The Rake's Progress."


"The Rake's Progress" is a series of eight paintings that are kept behind a closed panel but opened to guests at a given time. We were lucky to arrive shortly before the opening and it was quite magnificent.

Source: Wikipedia

But it was also a personal home as well, and the rooms reflect a warmth and charm, despite the size.


To be honest, I didn't want to leave his library.


The home was his gift to the country, negotiated through an Act of Pariliament in 1933 to preserve the house and collection, exactly as it would be at the time of his death and to keep it open and free. The museum is described in the Oxford Dictionary of Architecture as "one of the most complex, intricate, and ingenious series of interiors ever conceived.


And then, a walk back to the tube, a short rest and time for that St. Martin's in the Fields concert I wrote about the other day. A long, good day -- but the next would be our last in this wonderful city.

Sharing with:    Let's Add Sprinkles     /    Pink Saturday    /     Take Me Away!    

43 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have enjoyed this trip to London with you! A place I have never been, but now I feel I have almost been there!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie, wonderful photos from your London trip. They bring back memories of my trip there. I remember seeing the changing of the guard. The hotel looks pretty, I like the flags and flowers. Have a happy day and week ahead.

bobbie said...

I've really been enjoying seeing London with you ~ thanks for sharing ~

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I still can't believe how much you were able to pack into your vacation! So many wonderful sights and places you've made come alive in your blog!

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks for sharing the wonderful London photos. You certainly visited a lot of noble places. Hugs, Valerie

Terra said...

Thanks for these photos and the peek into the Soanes house and its art collections. And imagine visiting Buckingham Palace and arriving in a carriage. Wonderful.

Doodle T said...

Fabulous...so guests invited to Buckingham Palace get to arrive in carriages(?)...how fun is that. We were in London in August when the Queen was on holiday and we got to go into the palace...something definitely worth doing for next time...you are right about the adjoining gift shoppe...wow! What a fun trip!

Susan Kane said...

What magnificent places! Being witness to the carriage with it noble occupants will be a memory.

Lowcarb team member said...

I think your London posts have been wonderful. Fantastic to see your photographs and read your write up.
The Goring Hotel does look very nice, and yes, the flowers are pretty.

All the best Jan

PS I agree with your comment in your previous post Mike' blog is brilliant :)

Barb said...

That pigeon was strutting just like the guard at the palace. No, I can't imagine a crypt in my house, but that library was very inviting. You and Rick made the most of your time in London.

BB said...

Now, you know I love that library, and it's RED! Just sayin'.
And to boot, I'd like an old bike to paint electric pink for my backyard garden. Ha!
Green spaces are very necessary for cities. For the most part, my son and his family have lived in high rises in large cities, and they've moved quite a bit. Whenever they moved, the first thing my DIL did was find a park for the kids. So important. Now they live in a place where the kids can go outside without going down 39 floors in an elevator.

Pamela said...

Your posts have brought back memories of times I spent in London. I think you are like me - seeing and doing as much as you can in the time you have.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

We will go to London one day, Jeanie. Your photos are lovely! How neat to view a parade while touring, even if it was short. The Goring Hotel must have been grand. I think I've mentioned my love of the countryside, but I'd love to see the sights of London as well. So much to see! ♥

William Kendall said...

The Soanes House is one I'd like to visit!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, this is another wonderful London post! I remember being at Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. So much pageantry with the royals! I agree with you, I could have stayed in the library for a while.

My name is Erika. said...

You got lucky seeing the little mini-royal parade. And you did find another fabulous place to visit. It's too bad there was no royal contingent on the balcony to wave at you but I guess that would have been asking an awful lot. Hope it it's warming up and you won't have the bitter cold too long. Hugs-Erika

Anonymous said...

Jeanie, you must have slept well at night! Such an adventure! The Palace looks so elegant. And I've never seen an automobile pooper scooper. Usually just people with shovels and a cart. Fancy!

The museum looks fascinating! Thank you for sharing!

Sally Wessely said...

You certainly did see some wonders places.

DUTA said...

Guards, changing of the guards, parades, soldiers on horses - are always a great sight. Even in places like Sophia and Athens. I try not to miss these things when I visit a city with a royal palace. It adds some spice to my trip.

Mae Travels said...

What a fabulous trip you had!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Blondie's Journal said...

You really know how to make a place and a trip come to life!!! I've enjoyed all of your chronicles, Jeanie, but London has been a long time dream of mine!! This is as good as the real deal! Great pot.

Jane x

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

What an iconic place. Everywhere you look, you must wonder, "What historical and non-historical figure walked these streets?" Oh Jeanie, so inspiring!

Dawn said...

I have enjoyed your London posts. They bring back memories of our trip in 2017 when we stayed at the Goring. Our travel agent arranged everything and we were pleased with how great it was.

Joanne Huffman said...

How cool to find out of the way small museums and gardens. You and Rick planned your time beautifully.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love that pink bike at the end of the post! And it's nice to see green/yellow leaves and blooming flowers on a day when the windchill is -55F. Bleh. You guys really made the most of your time in London!!

Sami said...

Wonderful photos Jeanie. And the Queen didn't come out to wave to you :) The parks look lovely and just loved that pink bike and flower cart.

Sandra Cox said...

Your vacation was magical. Loved the parade:)

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Magnificent architecture everywhere and so much beauty. Soane's home is my favorite place so far. Keep warm!

Mary K. said...

Jeanie I would be quite happy staying in Mr. Sloane,s house all day. It looks like it was brimming with art. And you never get tired of looking at that. The park also looks like a great place to while away the hours.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Wow you got to see a fairly tale event with the guests arriving at the castle in those coaches! I enjoyed the tour at Sr John Sloane’s house. I’m quite sure you’ve showed us thins that most of us will never see or would have known to go see. Great job!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, such beautiful green spaces, I agree. I love the pomp with the guards and horses. Such pagentry, good to imagine fairy tales. Wish we had a bit of that here..Happy Wednesday..Judy

Iris Flavia said...

The lions are just beautiful! And I'm all up to date with the British Royals, too, they're on the daily news here in Australia.
You sure did not ... ;-) ... get me with that foot break.
Oh, sad only one more day is to come!

Victoria Zigler said...

You know, I'm exhausted just reading about your holiday. I hope you're taking it a bit easier now? I think you could use some quite cosy time after all that, and then the holidays right afterwards...

La Table De Nana said...

The park bench could be a movie scene..I like the bike too:) LOL you see where my tastes lie..Must admit in Paris..seeing men in uniform..was moving I have no idea why but in groups..it's quite lovely..

So glad you saw and did soo much!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Boy have you made tracks! You have made some wonderful memories to hold onto. We just went to see Tea With the Dames at a local theater. So many wonderful things To see and do in London.

Lynne said...

Another wonderful . . .
I wonder how it would look in our home if I placed all the art
in one room, one wall. Kind of like that idea!
I found London to have its charm where ever I visited.
I have totally enjoyed each of your posts . . .
And I want a bicycle and basket cart just like that!
I would take a bit of yellow outdoors today,
and short sleeves instead of ten pounds of sweaters and wool!
Smile, Smile
Stay warm and safe Jeanie!
Thank you for the visit . . .

The French Hutch said...

You have introduced me to some places I am not familiar with but I will change that. I will also show your post to my husband to ready. What a wonderful trip you've had. I'm sure you are still enjoying the trip in your mind. Some trips that are long it takes getting home and remembers all you have seen. I'm sure it took a while to recover from this trip......

Louca por porcelana said...

Wonderful post!Thanks for this virtual tour!Hugs.

Marilyn Miller said...

I wouldn't want to leave this library either. What a very special time you had on this adventure. Fascinating to be at the palace when dignitaries arrived in the carriage. Yes, the flowers on the building are really pretty with the greenery too.

Jenny Woolf said...

I'm glad you got to see Soanes museum. I am surprised they don't allow pictures, maybe that is new. I could say though that it is none too easy to take photographs, something about the layout, and so postcards are probably the least trouble! What a nice day you had.

Joanne said...

Love traveling vicariously through you. London is one place I have always wanted to visit!

Marnie said...

Hi, Jeanne,

I just came by your site via The English Travel Writer who recommended your excellent photos of the Soames House.

A few years ago I attended the annual meeting of the English Speaking Union in Mayfair. I lodged next door at the historic Chesterfield, one of the Red Carnation fine hotels. I can't say enough about the hospitality of the staff, the meals, and the general convenience of the place. But I am prompted to recommend you visit their elegant and cozy library. Order tea and cakes, browse the bookcases, read the newspapers, unobtrusively eavesdrop on a conversation that may be repeated on the evening's news, or just doze, imagining the grand goings on in the house during an earlier era.

Greetings from a chilly Akron, OHIO,

Marnie

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I haven't been to London in many years - your pictures make me want to plan another trip there!

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