Alcatraz

We have a smallish (for me) list on our fridge of places to be sure to visit while we live here.  Alcatraz made it to the top.  I remember going here with my family when I was a kid visiting my dad's hometown.  Just the name is cool.  Although, I did keep accidentally referring to it as Azkaban.  (The world can never be the same again after Harry Potter.)

The audio guides were good.  I have mixed feelings about them.  Pros, they are packed full of fascinating stories and information we never would have all learned otherwise.  Cons, the kids were sucked into them and couldn't be engaged with me or Collin or even just to look around.  Eyes glued to the screens, argh.  Also, since I was so far behind on my guide (pictures and actually talking to Collin), I was surprised when I reached the dramatisation of a particularly gruesome escape attempt.  It never got beyond the bounds of "family friendly" but it was a little much for the four year old, in my opinion.  Anyway, the audio guides made an impression.

I couldn't get over the view of the city from the prison.  The inmates recorded for the audio guide talked about hearing the sounds of life on the pier when the wind was just right, while they were cooped up in their cells.  That was the greatest punishment and torture of them all, to know that what they'd done landed them here while the rest of the world continued on and had fun.

The kids liked the account of the escape by spoon.  Can you imagine carving away at the cement for hours and days?  Other prisoners painted or played instruments.  It was insightful for me to see that even when incarcerated people have agency of how they will spend their time with what attitude.

After the ferry back we still had hours on our parking place (since we'd paid the full day fee) so we decided to take advantage of that and walk the pier.  We saw the sourdough bread place (but didn't get any that time--next time), got fish and chips (it was okay, but won't go to that place again), and happened upon the old arcade.  You know, the one from Princess Diaries, where Julie Andrews arm wrestles the icky clown?  Oh, just me that knows that?  Okaaaay . . . Anyway, we had a blast plugging a few quarters into the 100 year old arcade games.  And a film photo booth (my choice).  We spent $5 and had the kind of fun the inmates must have heard across the bay.

15 Heritage Bus from Trafalgar

One of my most, MOST important London adventure wishes was to ride the 15 H route.  It's the only route that still runs the vintage buses, and what charmers they are. 

We tried earlier last year but had a bit a snafu when a, shall we say . . . less than cooperative . . . ticket collector spoiled our attempted trip.  Over a silly thing of which payment options were accepted we got shunted off the bus most disagreeably, although we had produced valid Oyster cards he dismissed them.  It was such an unpleasant experience (raised voices even--he was so out of line) that the children (and we) were a bit traumatized (also read, livid) and it took a little while to get the courage to try again.  The second time we knew what to expect, came prepared with the proper payment and no extra bags or stroller.  I also promised, with fingers crossed, that it would be a different ticket person.  Luckily it was!  The second try went off without a hitch and we quickly forgot the first failed endeavor. 

We rode from Trafalgar to the termination at Tower Hill, then turned around and rode it back again.  We saw Saint Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, got jostled so much I'm amazed I got any in-focus pictures, admired the upholstery fabric, rode the top front, the top back, the bottom front, watched the driver, and jumped off the back just as one does. 

Fall Feelings 2016

It's now obviously very far from fall, being so close to Christmas.  I loved this fall so much and have to--however belatedly--remember some of the beautiful days we spent outside in the crunchy leaves and golden sunshine.  Eliza asks every day for her red jacket, though it's too cold for it now.  That's how I feel about autumn, too, I want it to linger on and on. 

We spent most days outdoors--it was truly the most amazing fall we've had in England.  It was all the best of a New England fall only in London.  Thus better than either of the others alone, in my opinion!  Primrose Hill and Regent's Park were almost daily haunts.  The boys had leave wars and Eliza collected bouquets everywhere we went.  It was a dry fall so the leaves stayed lovely and crunchy for much longer than usual.  I caught a leaf or two falling from a tree on camera, feeling like a wildlife photographer.  I was so elated when I actually got one in my visual range, it was embarrassing. 

I was inspired by everything around me and brought my camera with me at all times.  I loved being in the zone and having time to play.  Being creative is important to me.

England doesn't go overboard on decorations for any holiday like we're used to in America.  The extent of autumnal decorations is a gourd here and there.  Also the roses are still blooming.  So it's basically the perfect balance.

Eliza and I spontaneously were in the neighborhood of Selfridges and had just heard about their eclair donuts in the food hall.  (Seriously--incredible.)  While we were there I was overwhelmed to see Christmas already up in force all over the store.  The dessert case had one tiny nod to the fact that it was still the beginning of October.  I read after that Selfridges claimed the "prize" for being the first Christmas window display in the world of the year.  I am not okay with decorating for Christmas quite that early, though we have been converted to decorating soon after Halloween.

Our pen pals sent us treat bags from America with Halloween candies unavailable here.  We love being spoiled!