They're something that I find very fascinating about train stations in the morning. It's very similar to the feeling that I get whenever I am sitting an airport. This morning I found myself at Waterloo Train Station as we waited for our train to Hampton Court to arrive. The place was like a large hive of people and bustling activity. I think it's so fascinating to watch people and try and visualize where their travels are taking them. Most of them were probably going to work. (I noted that in our tube ride over to the station that I was one of the few guys on our tube carriage that was not wearing a suit). While our group waited I walked up as I high as I could in the station and just watched all the people bustling about. I'm not overly fond of getting stuck in a crowd, but let me sit from outside and watch it and I am fascinated.
This morning our whole group went out to see Hampton Court together. Despite getting to sleep in a little bit, this morning was a struggle for me. I woke up and I felt very congested and my eyes were itching. I don't typically get allergies, and I haven't had any issues this whole trip. I still can't decided whether I have a cold or allergies, but either way I was not a very happy camper this morning. I am hoping that I get feeling better tomorrow! I decided not to let that stop me and continued onwards! Our train departed around 10:36 for Hampton, and though it was a relatively short train ride I did manage to sneak in a nap that made me feel just a little bit better.
Hampton Court is a great place to visit. It was the residence of Henry VIII as well a number of other rulers through the years. The grounds were designed to be slightly reminiscent of Versailles, but not nearly as grand. Our entry fee included virtual tour guides. They gave us little devices that looked like a blend between a phone and a walkie-talkie. As we walked through the court there would be numbers at certain exhibits. You punch that number into your guide and put it up to your ear and there are prerecorded messages that explain everything. I've seen a similar system at some other tourist locations, and I am quite fond of it because you get to move at your own pace but still get some great information.
Hampton Court is amazing, but it's also incredibly fun because you get to wear cloaks and capes. It's super funny how excited we all were about this. I knew about it beforehand, but when everyone else saw we were all freaking out and taking pictures. There were some little British kids there on a school tour and they all gawked as the weird American College Students that were running around and "swooshing" their capes around in circles. I loved that almost everyone in our group got in on the fun and decided not to worry about how silly we might look, as many of the people touring the building typically opt out of the cloaks. They obviously are not familiar with how to have fun.
People Watching: Train Station Edition
Mysterious men... Dallin, Ben, Ethan, (Brett's youngest son) and myself
Rulers of the Court
This was actually a difficult picture to take because I couldn't stop smiling (A shocker, I know)
There were so many great things to see at Hampton. They are experts when it comes to interactive exhibits. There were old fashioned board games all over the place to play with, old fashioned chairs and couches to sit on a visit. There's an outdoor hedge maze to explore (though it was unfortunately closed today) and countless rooms to visit. They have a replica crown that they had created just last year that is an exact copy of what Henry VIII wore. We explored many rooms that were his, and learned a lot about his history. He's kind of terrible, but in a very fascinating way. Learning a lot about his history definitely made me feel a bit more sympathetic. There were also a few moments where some tourists must have thought that our cloaks meant that we worked there. I had a lady come up and ask me what the room we were in was called. When I responded, "I don't actually know", she got a very confused look on her face. I probably should have told her I don't work there, because she may now think that the Hampton Employees are quite incompetent.
Playing the Fox and the Sheep (I won) Also, what's with the patch on the side of my head? Is that always there? Do people see that and not tell me? Weird.
I have this odd new obsession of standing in fireplaces
Claimed the court as my own
One of my favorite parts about the whole of Hampton Court (aside from the cloaks) is the garden. As we finished the indoor portion of the tour, we turned in our capes and proceeded into the back area. I had actually forgotten that I had my audio tour guide in my pocket, which we were also supposed to turn in. As I walked away from the building it started beeping really loudly. I didn't realize that the sound was coming from my own pocket, thinking it must be someone's cell phone or something. I kept walking for quite a while and security had to chase after me. Woops. That was fun. Anywho, the back gardens are massive and they are gorgeous. Today was a perfect day to visit because it was sunny, but there was a breeze that made it so it was not too hot. I sat down on a bench in the shade next to a giant fountain and almost took a nap. It felt incredible. I probably sat on that bench for over half and hour. During that time I visited with members of my group, watched a swan stroll past and hop into the fountain where he proceeded to bathe himself in a very loud manner, and took a few photos for some tourists. Oh! I also discovered a little swan family!
As the afternoon went on I wandered around a few more gardens and actually lost the rest of the group. I wasn't too worried as our return train ticket worked for any train heading in to central London for the rest of the day. Instead I walked over to the maze (which was closed) and then bought an ice cream cone that I ate in the Royal Rose Garden! By this point I was incredibly tired and so I journeyed back to London.
Hampton Court view from the back gardens
I sure missed my cloak
Don't know whether to call it a river or a pond
Me attempting to be artistic
Hampton Court from the side garden...I may have climbed to a spot I shouldn't have been at for this view. No one stopped me. I must really look like an employee.
Love this shot of the buildings around Hampton
Eating icecream in these beautiful gardens (Hampton picture in the backdrop)
The rest of my day was pretty lazy as I decided my body needed some rest from my cold/allergies. I stopped briefly to get a West Cornwall Pasty, which was fantastic. West Cornwall is a company that makes some of the best Pasties. I used to see them all over the place, but they seem to have vanished. When I saw this one at the Waterloo station I knew I had to stop by there for dinner. The rest of the day I sat in my bed, wrote some essays, and watched some very intelligent stuff on the internet (cartoons). I did slip away for a little bit in the evening to go to Piccadilly Circus with Dallin. By this point I was still in my pajamas and wearing my glasses, but I would not be denied the beautiful London at night! We went over to Waterstones and looked at books. Once again I managed to control myself and I left without purchasing anything. Huh. Maybe I should be concerned. :)
The debate for tonight is whether I let myself sleep in (something I haven't done for a while) or wake up bright and early and try for Matilda tickets again! We'll see what the morning brings!
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