Saturday, June 30, 2012

Hampton Court & Wimbledon

The weather is finally tolerable around here, it has been averaging about 68 to 72 degrees...it even got up to 82 the other day!  Summer is here!  I'm really glad that I made it back to the States in early June since the Midwest is suffering through a major heatwave.  I think I can finally say that the weather here in London is better than back home!

We have officially lived in London for six months and I am still happy that we made the choice to move over.  There is so much to do and so much to see in this part of the world, I am grateful that Josh and I had the opportunity to live in England!  

A couple weeks ago, Josh and I went to Hampton Court Palace, the favorite palace of King Henry the VIII.  Josh and I watched (and loved) the Tudors series and it was really great to be able to see the real history of his life...and those of his unfortunate wives!  

Me in front of Hampton Court Palace
Josh and I in the gardens at Hampton Court Palace
Courtyard
Josh being a statue :)

One of my favorite parts of the palace was actually the kitchen area.  Not really that surprising considering how much I like to cook.  It amazing me the conditions that the cooks had to work in and the number of people it would have taken to run a royal household. 

Slaving away at the stove!
I adored this massive fireplace...and the real fire they had burning!
Beautiful gardens at the palace.
The next week, Josh had a work function in which he was in charge of food...which automatically meant that I was in charge of food, since the only thing that Josh knows about food, is how to eat it.  It wasn't anything special, but much better than the usual work function food of popcorn and Doritos.  I also baked homemade cookies, about 200 of them!  It took all day in my tiny London sized oven.  I was able to meet a bunch of Josh's work colleagues and one of them tipped us off on how to get into the Wimbledon Championship games.  So, the following Monday, Josh took off of work a little early so that we could make the trip down to Wimbledon to "queue" up for tickets.

It only took about 30 minutes to get through the queue and we were in!  Our tickets allowed us to watch any match except for what was playing in Centre Court and Courts 1 & 2.

We actually got a guide on how to queue correctly :) 


So exciting to be inside the grounds!
The tournament board.
The first match we watched...Petrova vs Camerin
Ready to serve.
 The atmosphere was the Wimbledon Championships was really great.  Josh and I had a picnic dinner then hopped around to a few different courts to watch the action.  The crowds were really into the games and it was fun to join in the excitement.




Josh and I are now getting ready for our next trip.  We booked our flights and hotels in Venice for next week and I am so excited!  We are staying on Lido, which is a popular beach area in Venice.  I can't wait to soak up the sun and explore a part of Italy!

Rachel


7 comments:

Maggie said...

I loved Venice! Stayed at a Franciscan friary there for a week. If you find it, tell Father Roberto I said hi. And don't miss the Islands of Burano and Murano... Pick up some lace and glass for me! My dad would officially like to visit for Wimbolden. I'm enjoying living vicariously!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful garden at Hampton Court. I can just see you baking a whole pig for Old Henry and his court. Absolutely loved The Thinker. It made my day! Lol. You are seeing and doing so much! What a smart move on you guys part doing this move. Next Venice! I hear you'll love it.

Love hoy, Granny D

Anonymous said...

Love it!

Trisha

Samanda Holbrook said...

I can't believe it has already been six months since you have moved away. I also can't believe that as of July 16th it will have been 6 months since we have seen you! I don't like that, it has been too long. I guess it is good that we decided to be just like you and follow you across the pond :). I love all your pictures and that you got to go to the championship tennis, we watched some of it on t.v. but we didn't see you! I am VERY jealous of your weather right now, we went to Dallas, TX this weekend and it was cooler there then it is here in Altus, I feel like July is going to be long! Enjoy your trip to Italy, that will be so fun! Miss you!

Love,
Amanda

Mom said...

I love the "Josh" stature! LOL! We missed you at the Brocksmith Reunion, many told us they follow
your Blog. Shows how much I know about tennis, I didn't know Wembelton was in London?! Very cool
you got to go. Now. Stay calm and carry on, to Venice!!

Becky K. said...

I love the guide to queueing! :)

Josh and Rachel said...

I know! Who knew standing in a line could be so complicated!