The First Trip; Paris/London 10/2013, Part Four

Paris, France to London, England

 Paris to London, Day 10, Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The Eurostar train ran at 186 mph.  We ended up sitting backwards, so I slept most of it to avoid motion sickness.  Because we could only have two bags, Sharon and I both condensed our bags from suitcase, boarding bag, and backpack, to suitcase and boarding bag.  We both packed our day packs and backpacks, making our luggage very heavy!  Needless to say, we took a taxi to the station.  It was also interesting to finally see the station from above ground, since we’d always gone by metro.  We spent a lot of time at that train station!

 

The trip was quick, but when we arrived, the temperature was about 20 degrees lower!  We had a great cab driver who pointed out the sights.  Our flat is in Chelsea, which is apparently a very high rent district.  Our driver said that it is the highest rent district in Europe!  He was giving us values of houses as we went by, which were quite amazing.

The flat itself was a complete surprise and very different from the pictures.  We expected a tiny closet and ended up with an incredible studio in a lovely building.  Based on the neighborhood and the look of it, we figure it’s probably got a market value of abaout $1,000,000.

We’ve settled in, completely surprised and delighted with the place.  Now we’re heading out to Henry’s in Green Park for real English fish and chips.  Something I really wanted to try.

It’s very nice to not be mentally having to translate laboriously everything from French.  That got exhausting.  Although the queen’s English and American English are not always the same.  Also, the time is one hour back from paris.  More tomorrow when we actually figure out what we will be doing.

London, Day 10, Paris/London, Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Dinner at Henry’s was excellent.  However, before we got there we had to find the underground station.  After walking 10 blocks in the wrong direction, we figured out our problem, reversed, retracted our steps, and walked the 10 blocks in the correct direction, we found the underground station.

I have never, ever seen so many people packed. Onto a train at one time.  Ever.  And going home was even worse.  We had to wait out a train on each of our stops.  Then when we did get on, we didn’t need to hold onto a pole – the people held us up!

Apparently, this is London in rush hour.

 

London, Day 11, Wednesday, October 16, 2013

As I expected, London will be a marathon, as we have such little time here.  Today began with a journey of four trains to Windsor Castle.  We may be in a high rent district, but it’s a little hard to get anywhere in a straight shot.  Today was the underground (2 trains) to Paddington Station, then on regional train to a place called Slough, then a short feeder train to Windsor.

 

The castle was incredible.  The differences between the interior decoration of the French chateaux and the English are unmistakable.  The French are more ornate – more Roccoco or Baroque.  The English are more restrained, looking more Georgian in style – even the Victorian designs were more restrained, and that is saying something!

It pour down rain, but that made little difference.  We saw Queen Mary’s dollhouse, which I have read about, and was more amazing in person, and a pair of lovely dolls from France, and their wardrobe made by French designers given to the princesses she’s Elizabeth and Margaret.  They were exquisite.  We were also able to tour the sate apartments, which is not always possible.  it depends on whether the queen is in residence, which she was not today.  

We also went through St. George’s chapel.  This was truly amazing, as it has been in existence for well over 900 years.  The castle itself has had continuous royal occupancy for that long as well.

 

There was also an exhibit of art work by the royal family over many past generations.  All of the royal family members have had education in the arts.  The exhibit included watercolor worksheets by Queen Victoria as she learned to paint landscapes, actual paintings by her, sculpture, china painting, oils and other works by many others over the centuries.  Sketchbooks were on display.  Also included were many watercolors by Prince Charles, who is quite talented.  The display also showed a few of his preliminary sketches in red pen with notes that he does prior to painting.

The town itself was lovely.  Eaton School, the most expensive prep school in Europe is located there as well.

After exploring, we headed back to London, and went to find Harrods.  What can I say?  I have far better taste than my budget will afford.  That was one amazing stone!

Things we have learned in London:

1) The British are quite literal people.  To exit a place, American signs say ‘Exit’, French signs say ‘Sortie’, and British signs say ‘Way Out’.  That still cracks me up every time I see it.

 

2)  In England, you still look up when you enter a room.  The ceilings are amazing here as well.

On to tomorrow!