Growlers done right

St. George's have their growler filler up and running. Makes me happy.

Middle of Nowhere

London was great this flight is not.

Old to Oldest to Old

 

Today was very busy, five hours of windshield time and four landmarks. First two land marks Shakespeare's birth place and grave in Stratford Upon Avon. The birthplace museum reminded me a lot of Colonial Williamsburg in the States. A little cheese but worth seeing. His grave at the Holy Trinity Church was more to my liking. It was a very beautiful church with very kind people working there. it was only 2 pounds to get in and not many other people around. We wished we had more time to take in the beautiful grounds but we had a 2 hour drive to Stonehenge and about the same amount of time for it to be open.

We made it to Stonehenge with about 8 minutes to spare. We ran out to try to get a few pictures before they closed. We got about half way around the perimeter before the staff started to chase people out. We got a few photos and tried to take in the view the best we could. The third one down one left. On to Bath.

Although we didn't get to spend much time in Bath we met some very nice people and thoroughly enjoyed the city and would like to get back and explore it more.

Heavens to the Dirt

We went to where time began... at least for the day. The Prime Meridian Line at the National Observatory, it is a little price for what you get to see unless perhaps you are an avid star gazer or always want to know what time it is.

This is a view out of one of the windows in the octagon room in the Flamsteed House. The windows were designed to let the astronomer have a great range of view from any window.

Later we went to visit Old William Blake at Bunhill Fields Burial Ground. All the other graves were fenced in except Blake, his wife and Daniel Defoe. This made it easier get to them to take pictures but the strategically placed trash cans behind the grave reduced the angles.

We took the underground to the Old Street station, you could also get off at the Moorgate station, and luckily for us there was a soup kitchen in the station. Laura and I had been on the move all day so we were very hungry by the time we got here. They had a wide variety of soups and would let you try any of them maybe all but we settled on our lunch quickly. Laura also got a sandwich and said it was very good.

Leonardo da Vinci Painter At The Court of Milan

2:50am

The da Vinci Exhibit at the Royal Museum in London.
We got to the museum to queue at about 2:20 am on a Monday and there were five people in front of us. The next person showed up about an hour later. People slowly trickled in from then until 5am. Between 5 and 6 am the flow of people increased greatly.

6:00am

The people in the queue in front of us both got there at 1 am... That's right one in the morning. We will call these people the 1amers and they were comprised of a group of 5 students from London and a guy from New York City. For the students this was their 3rd attempt at getting tickets so that is why they were there so early. Saturday they had gotten there around 7 am and were told the tickets had sold out. Sunday they had arrived about 5:45 am and after about an hour queuing they were again told the tickets had sold out. So they were taking no chances this time. So if you are planning a trip weekdays would be than the weekend, however the closer the exhibit gets to the end, 5 February 2012, the tougher it will be to get in.
The gallery does have a coat check and we were able to check our coats and book bags and the 1amers had a bunch of gear including blowup mattresses and blankets however when we came out the coat check was full and not accepting anymore items.
It is a great exhibit and if you have a chance I highly recommend it, well worth the wait.

7:50 am not long now... everything is relative

Chinese Irish

Laura and I walked through Chinatown tonight looking for some late night dinner. Most places were closed or about to close but this pub was packed. We ended up getting take out from a Lebanese place.

Biscoff...

..must be on a plane.
And the delayed flight, the canceled flight and the horrible customer service means we must have been in Atlanta.

The storms rolled in and our connecting flight circled above.

Walk in the park

Even though it didn't get out of the 30s it was still a beautiful day. Laura and I took Bailey up to Deep Run Park for a walk. It was nice to get out and walk in nature and see all the other people out with their dogs.

We took a little time to sit in a gazebo and enjoy the sun. Laura pointed out the grain and texture in the railing.

Richmond's own

I am glad my wife's friends have good taste in beer.

Tuesday Means Beer

Cat Nap

The weather today has been more January-ish than the last couple so Hamlet couldn't sun himself in the window. He resigned himself to take a nice quiet nap.

Take It While I can Get It Day 3

The weather was beautiful once again so out to Bryan Park for a bike ride we went.

Take It While I can Get It Day 2

Laura and I went up to Ashland to get some pet supplies and then took the dog on a walk around town. It was a beautiful January day with highs in the 70s. It’s a little strange having days like this in January but you might as well get out and enjoy it while it is here.

Ashland is a very friendly place even the dogs get their own water.

Take It While I can Get It

Laura I and went out for a bike ride today to enjoy the 60 degree weather. This old gas station is right outside a park and we ride by it all the time but haven't taken the time to explore it too much.
This spot is also a favorite of the police to set up a speed trap thus the cop car in the background. I thought I would be able to crop it out later but I didn't like the composition. Luckily I did take a close up shot as well.

Watched over by the Frog Prince

Laura got this bird house for Christmas but we have not found a home for him yet. So he is sitting on the desk watching over me while I work.