Victoria & Albert Museum London England UK

IMG_20191016_143913199_HDR

Started off in the garden with a refreshing English Breakfast tea while watching a man food the pigeons.

IMG_20191016_143024348_HDR

He was enjoying their eating out of his hand. The brilliants of the building, the lovely garden, mild sunny day and the joy the man was getting from the birds made for a perfect day.

IMG_20191016_143942247_HDR

Walking through all of the historical artifacts preserved for hundreds of years makes it easy to understand the appeal of sophisticated large city.

IMG_20191016_143234861_HDR

It’s touching to see vibrant support for cultural achievements.

Hilton Syon Park England UK

I could not image what would not be liked at this location but I understand that people are looking for different things.

IMG_20191026_132459077_HDR

Peaceful surrounding near a major metropolis with easy airport access is an ideal start, or to wind-down after traveling for me.

IMG_20191025_102406985

The grounds have extensive places to meander or have a drink.

IMG_20191025_102751594_HDR

The sushi restaurant on the property does not serve drinks and the hotel restaurant was not very memorable for dinner.  Breakfast was fine.

The hotel is set back from the road by a field

IMG_20191024_171824417_HDR

An alleyway heading the other direction was convenient for cycle to meals and pedestrians only, keeping road traffic out.

The first evening our meal was at a pub on the canal.  Quiet with just a sprinkle of people and we had a dinning room to ourselves.

IMG_20191024_201645703

It would be lovely to dine outside next time.

IMG_20191024_211542542

Runnymede: England United Kingdom

Where the Magna Carta was sealed.

Magna Carta Temple Monument Photo by Andrew Leggett

Magna Carta Temple Monument Photo by Andrew Leggett

Known as a sacred text and the start of human rights, it was intended to limit the King’s power and it inspired the Constitution. The land has commemorative symbols of democracy and monuments of equality, and was donated to the national trust by an American, Lady Fairhaven also known as Cara Leland Rogers Duff Broughton.  Cara Leland Rogers Duff married Boughton an Englishman who later became a member of Parliament.  She also purchased and donated Fort Phoenix, the land of the American Revolutionary War in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.  They married in 1895 and sailed to England on Christmas Day…which I am sure took considerable time, and I was thinking the 20 hours to travel to England from Texas was long.

 

French Brother’s Boat Trip: Runnymede, England UK

Rolling on Lucy Fisher, a short cruise along the River Thames.

French Brother's Boat Trip Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brother’s Boat Trip
Photo by Andrew Leggett

Lucy is a film star that was in Tarzan and many other movies, and is a replica of an African stern wheeled paddle steamer.  She ferried up just for us it seemed at Runnymede Pleasure Ground.

Runymede Pleasure Ground Photo by Andrew Leggett

Runymede Pleasure Ground
Photo by Andrew Leggett

Runnymede Pleasure Ground is a pleasant green meadow along the river with public access, just a short gallop from the hotel.

French Brother's Boat Trip Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brother’s Boat Trip
Photo by Andrew Leggett

The guide was a lovely lad that did not seem to mind that we were the only ones traveling for the last half of the cruise, or that we were unaware that they weren’t prepared to take credit cards, and he had to call in our card to their office.

French Brother's Boat Trip Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brother’s Boat Trip
Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brothers also travel to Windsor and back, but the shorter spin suited us. It allowed us to stay in the area.

French Brother's Boat Trip Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brother’s Boat Trip
Photo by Andrew Leggett

Weather was stunning.

French Brother's Boat Trip Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brother’s Boat Trip
Photo by Andrew Leggett

Floating along observing the many majestic homes in the area, the character of the boats, the temperament of the captain, all created a sense of following a story along the river .

French Brother's Boat Trip Photo by Andrew Leggett

French Brother’s Boat Trip
Photo by Andrew Leggett

From our roost we peered at many watercraft passing by without creating a wake. Ideal serenity, just a few steps away from the heartbeat of the capital of England.

October,2013