Aaron's November London Trip

This is Royal Albert Hall. I read online that you could take tours and that you could listen to free music in their cafe on Fridays, so I gave it a go.

Wikipedia says: "Since its opening by Queen Victoria on 29 March 1871 the Royal Albert Hall (named after her dead husband, Prince Albert) has played host to a multitude of different events and legendary figures and has been affectionately titled 'The Nation's Village Hall'.... the Hall has been used for classical and rock concerts, conferences, ballroom dancing, poetry recitals, education, ballet, opera and even circus shows. It has hosted many sporting events, including boxing, wrestling (including the first Sumo wrestling tournament ever to be held outside Japan) and tennis. "

Here was the music - that day it was a girl from the States and her band. Live music definitely sounds better! Don't know why....

There he is, Prince Albert (he was from today's Germany). He made the Great Exhibition in 1851 happen; Queen Victoria truly loved him (they had 9 kids!); and he introduced the German custom of 'Christmas trees' to Britain and hence all over the world...

It just kills me how long certain areas have had churches there - 1102?!!

This is Kensington Palace -

Wikipedia says: The original early 17th-century building was constructed in the village of Kensington as Nottingham House for the Earl of Nottingham. It was acquired from his heir, who was Secretary of State to William III in 1689, because the King wanted a residence near London but away from the smoky air of the capital, because he was asthmatic. (I thought that part was interesting...)....Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British royal family since the 17th century. Today it is the official residence of The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke and Duchess of Kent; and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Kensington Palace is also used on an unofficial basis by Prince Harry, as well as his cousin Zara Phillips. Until 1997, it was the official residence of Diana, Princess of Wales and of Princess Margaret until 2002."

There he be, William the Three! It's interesting to think of him outside an 'Irish' context (he is the 'Protestant' that defeated the Catholic James...for Catholic Irish it's the 'beginning' of the Protestant Problems/Ascendancy (VERY roughly speaking) and for the Irish Protestants...he's a hero! Oh interesting, oh interesting you dutchy-Dutchman!

You'd have to be German to understand, but in Germany they have these treats called 'Chocolate Kisses' and these bushes at Kensington Palace are in the shape of the treat! I just thought it was funny...

So before my tour of Albert Hall, I noticed that that night they were going to have a classical concert, so I decided to do it (never know when 'this opportunity' will be the 'last', ya know?) So before the concert and after my Kensington Palace visit, I went to this Moroccan restaurant and I must say 'good food!' Yummy-yum!






One of their little 'roomlets' you could sit and eat in....

I put this up for Mom - so she'd know I am alive and well! Hi Mom! ;)

'To the Opera, Jeeves!'

Albert Hall at night...purdy.

Inside, before the concert....

To left....

During the intermission, a quick snap of down below...

The box with the 'crown' over it, that is 'The Queen's Box' and she gives the tickets to Buckingham Palace employees, etc. The rules are,

1) Dressed nicely (no trousers for women)

2) No dancing!

3) No eating (I think that is one of the rules ;)

The concert was fantab! '1812 Overture' with fireworks, 'cannons' and explosions! Did anyone know that 'Pomp and Circumstance' had words? I just always played it in band at high school graduation. It does have words though. During that song and then others we'd all sing along and people would wave their British flags - it was a very 'RAH-RAH, GO BRITANNIA!' kind of concert at times and I truly enjoyed it!