British Studies: Day 12 & 13 part 1

This morning I walked as the queen might when she enters Parliament.  The tour was just over an hour and gave us the inside scoop on the processions of the Houses of Parliament.  The insides are gorgeous and tell the complete history of the old royal families.  There is even half a hallway dedicated to Henry VIII, his six wives, and four children.  We sat in the "no" wing, learning about the local houses that have bells that toll when the eight minute vote begins.  Our tour guide, Victoria, was very invested and it was pleasant.

In the early afternoon, My group of five visited another Trafalgar Square event- Get Reading.  Hre, there was a stage and different local celebrities would visit the stage and read to the crowd of kids, family members, and wanderers by.  In the list was Hugh Grant and Russel Tovey, who we did not get to see.  It had a pretty large turnout, despite the heat wave that hit London.  I look forward to Edinburgh and will be disappointed if the humidity follows.

By afternoon, myself, GOP, and AG visited 221b.  We waited an hour in line, but it was worth it to say we had been.  Not to mention we had company- the nice line greeters with Sherlockian ties.  The house was actually four stories tall, with an attic and bathroom at the top.  The wax museum bit was rather creepy and claustrophobic- ever time I turned my back on one wax man ther was another behind it!  I took a few photos anyways, proof I suppose, and used many areas in the house as prop locations.  Baker Street was quiet besides. Although the London Beatles Shop drew quite a crowd.

Tonight I prepare for Edinburgh, likely over packed but hey, I have no idea what to expect weather-wise for the week.  I brought warm clothes as well as cooler ones, and the suitcase should still be liftable.  I brought it for the wheels.  To keep low key, I intend to visit the Thames tonight with LH & A.  Then it is time for bed and a long day's worth of bus riding.  I do hope my iPod is charged, though secretly- or maybe not so much so- I look forward to having time to read Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, which I bought the day we visited Stratford.  It was the last copy there and the first as had seen all trip.