Windsor & Ascot

They were a whole week ago! I think I'm slacking off. It's actually been a busy week. A nice, mostly sunny & warm activity filled week. Which is a good thing.

Last Friday, Chris, Kyle & I took the 10 am train from Waterloo Station (an easy tube ride from Hampstead) to the Windsor/Eton Riverside Station, which took about an hour. Our hotel was barely a block away, and we were even able to check in early. It was a lovely old place - the Christopher Wren House and as I write this I'm ashamed to say that I never found out who Christopher Wren was. Although I did think about it! We began our visit by walking through the really lovely (yes I know - I'm overusing the word but it works in so many contexts!) town of Windsor. It was a nice day - mild & partly sunny and we sat out on the terrace of the The King & Castle Pub for lunch and a pint (of course.)

Windsor Castle itself literally looms over the town of Windsor and is really magnificent. This one's not free, but well worth the cost of admission. From what I understand, the Queen was actually staying there all week while she was attending Royal Ascot. We saw the State Apartments, which are frequently used for events such as entertaining foreign heads of state, the amazing Queen Mary's Doll House, which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and presented to Queen Mary in 1924 (unbelievable teeny tiny details), an exquisite collection of artwork, and one of my favorite exhibits, which is temporary - an extensive collection of photographs by Marcus Adams, who was the official photographer for 4 generations of the Royal Family between 1926 and 1956. (Charles was a really cute little kid!)

We also visited the daunting St. George's Chapel - more the size of a cathedral - which holds the remains of many former monarchs, including Henry VIII and the current Queen Elizabeth's parents and sister Margaret. The chapel is on the castle grounds, and was also where the wedding blessing was held for Prince Charles and Camilla in 2005 following their civil ceremony.

Leaving the castle grounds, Chris struck up a conversation with a local constable with an impressive firearm (he was obviously a special security detail for the castle as regular coppers don't carry weapons) who gave us a recommendation for a good local pub so of course we had to go have another pint. The Two Brewers wins the award so far for the prettiest pub we've visited, and we caught the end of the US - Slovenia tie in the World Cup. On the way back into town, we came upon the Crooked House of Windsor which really is a crooked little building where Chris & I went for tea. The plan next was to head up to Eton College for a look around but by then it had grown really cool and started to rain so we just headed back to the hotel. After a little nap on the part of all 3 of us, we had a nice dinner at the hotel and went to bed.

The next morning, our harried Ascot prep time was interrupted by a call to Chris's mobile from the porter back at our apartment in Hampstead. Apparently, a neighbor had complained about the alarm in our apartment going off, which perplexed us because although there is an alarm system installed, we've never set it up or armed it. So, after Chris gave him permission to check out the flat, he called back a few minutes later to report that it was an alarm clock going off, and he didn't think that we'd been robbed but the room was somewhat unkempt... Chris assured him that it was just the room of an American teenager and all was well.

So we got ourselves all gussied up and took a taxi to Ascot. The sun was out but it was chilly. We'd gotten our tickets to the races via the Hampstead Women's Club, who was also hosting a pre-race tailgate picnic. We found our group, which also included the London alumni clubs of both Notre Dame and Georgetown Universities, so there was quite a varied group of mostly Americans. We met some nice folks, and there was a nice spread of food and drink, but it had grown overcast and was windy and, well... pretty dang cold. After a few hours of socializing, we walked up to the entrance with the crowd having by this time gotten separated from our group, who had headed in the direction of the Royal Procession, of which we were oblivious. No matter - we'd gotten a prime view of the Queen just the week before at the Trooping of the Colours, and by this time what we were really interested in was figuring out the betting system. Priorities please.

A friendly young chap from Ladbrokes tried to assist us, but he spoke quickly and with a thick Brit accent we couldn't quite get a solid explanation of what we were doing. So we all lost 5 pounds on the first race. The worst part was going out to the stands to watch - the cold & wind were really miserable. The folks who were obviously having the best time were the ones walking around with open bottles of wine & champagne and were nowhere near the racetrack. We got ourselves some hot coffee and made a second attempt at perusing the odds, this time on race #3, which was called the Jubilee Stakes and also the "Highlighted Race of the Day". It was indeed a highlight for us as we placed another 5 pounds "either way" on a horse called Starsspangledbanner - who won! ("Either way" means that your bet gets split and you'll win either if your horse wins or places.) So we made 25 pounds, just enough to pay for the taxi back to the hotel, which we did next because we'd had enough. We had a bit of an adventurous train trip back to London, as we had to take a bus for the first leg of the trip, then encountered 3 rude American women who clearly had been to Ascot and were still carrying their open bottles of wine, as well as a disturbed gentlemen who felt it necessary to profess to the entire train that he was the real Terminator - not the Hollywood version - who would destroy anyone who got in his way. Life in the big city.

The next day was Father's Day - here too - and after laying around recovering from our trip and working out, we walked up to nearby Golder's Hill Park, which is part of Hampstead Heath and has become my very favorite park so far. We were able to sit and enjoy a much better afternoon - sunny and probably 70 - then head to the nearby Old Bull & Bush for a Father's Day dinner, which was really good. We didn't even have a beer. (Bottle of wine, yes; beer, no.)

It was a busy but very nice weekend. I would definitely go back for a visit to Windsor Castle and hopefully see Eton on the next go round. I'd also like to go back to Ascot when it's not Royal week and the weather would hopefully be more conducive to actually sitting and enjoying the races. But for now, it's onward and upward. It's almost July, and we have a picnic at the Embassy to attend!

http://picasaweb.google.com/swronsky/WindsorRoyalAscot#
http://picasaweb.google.com/swronsky/FatherSDayGoldersHillPark#

Trooping the Colour

OK. So this will involve a bit of a British culture/history lesson which may just bore you to tears. Or, you may find it interesting. Either way, Chris & I came within 30 feet yesterday of Elizabeth II, Her Royal Highness the Queen of England, and her husband Prince Phillip, and her daughter, Princess Anne, the reason being that we attended the Trooping of the Colour.

And here begineth the lesson (or just skip down to the photo album at the end. I'll never know): The flag, or "Colours" of a British regiment are historically a very big deal. Not just because troops could easily identify their home regiment on the battlefield, but as a way for the regiment to carry and display their battle honors and pay tribute to not only their victories, but their fallen comrades. Before the regiment would present its Colours to the sovereign following battle, the Colours were consecrated in a religious ceremony. It was decided in 1748 that the Colours would be trooped in front of the sovereign each year during a parade to mark his or her birthday; the current Queen has participated in every year of her reign with the exception of 1955 when there was a national rail strike. (She even rode her own horse in the parade until 1986 when at the ripe young age of 60 she decided - or maybe someone decided for her - that a carriage would be a better bet.)

The Colours that were trooped at this year's Queen's Birthday Parade are those of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. But it's not all just a lot of ceremony - this battalion in fact just returned from a tour in Afganistan in April where they were wearing flack jackets as opposed to ceremonial parade dress and scanning for IED's as opposed to marching in front of the Queen. I can only imagine what a strange transition that it must be for these men & women, but hearing some of them speak in a BBC TV special about the seemingly polar opposite experiences, it seems that they are both quite meaningful for these soldiers - but obviously in very different ways.

So. As I had previously mentioned, we were fortunate enough to receive tickets to yesterday's program from one of LMUK's Board Members who could not attend. It's worth mentioning that absolutely anyone can put themselves in the lottery to get these tickets - it's not a matter of status or income (case in point - they let us in.) The tickets are just to get into the stands; before arriving at the Horse Guards Courtyard where the ceremony takes place, many of the participants and the royals come down the Mall (pronounced here with a short "a", as in "Al", as in "Gore" as in "what the heck is going on with the Gore family?" But, alas, I digress...), where thousands of people line the parade route and I'm sure get a pretty good look at whose a-comin' down the lane.

The weather was pretty decent. No rain, and no direct sun which I'm sure the folks in those uniforms were grateful for. We arrived in plenty of time to stand in the 45-minute queue for the royal porta potties (Loos R Us. I am not making that up.) (Really and truly, I'm not.) There were women in hats (not me) and some in flip flops (unfortunately when we walked to lunch later not me either); most men in jackets but some in windbreakers. Older people and even quite a few children. The ceremony - even before the royals arrived - was entertaining just in the way that the officers shouted at their troops to get them all in a straight line, and the soldiers in turn scootched an inch or two one way or the other to comply.

So, we're about 30 minutes into the band music and boot shuffling when the sound of cheers emerges from the direction of the Mall. And then an escorted carriage arrives, followed by another. They were so bloody far from us, the only thing that I could admire was the color of the dress (of who I thought was) the Queen was wearing. Then the carriages rode under an arch and out of sight - as a matter of fact we never found out what became of them. So I thought to myself (and sighed under my breath to Chris) "Wow. I guess that's it." Boy, was I wrong. A few minutes later, more, louder cheers from the direction of the Mall. Chris says "I think this has got to be her." And by George, he was right! Escorted by a regal troop of Household Cavalry, came the Queen's carriage - and in it? The Queen! Yes indeed. Of England! (Oh yes, and her husband Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh. Whatever. No big whoop there.) This is the kicker - their carriage rode right in front of the stands that we happened to be in! She was within spitting distance I tell you. Not that I would've even imagined spitting. I was too busy pinching Chris's arm and murmuring "oh my God oh my God oh my God.." No waving. Nothing close to a smile even. I guess after 58 years of these things how excited can she get? I didn't wave either, but I'm sure I was smiling. Even Chris was impressed. Not a peep about that night's football match against the US, or even the BP debacle. Everyone was extremely quiet and respectful.

Off they rode to the podium, then more pomp and circumstance and music and parading (all of it quite impressive.) And then eventually, after troops were inspected and Colours were trooped, all of the participants, including Elizabeth, were marched back to Buckingham Palace. Too long of a walk to follow them in my new (really cute) heels, but we stuck around on the Mall so that we could see the Royal Air Force fly-over that always accompanies these things. Then we went to an awesome Indian restaurant for lunch and came home.

Oh, and by the way? The two royal carriages that transported royal individuals whom we could not identify? None other than: Carriage #1: Camilla Parker Bowles and her step-son PRINCE WILLIAM, and carriage #2: Princesses Eugenie & Beatrice, making their first public appearance since their mother's scandalous gaffe some weeks ago. Wow. I mean WOW. Never ever in million trillion years could you ever have convinced me 6 months ago that I, Sue Manning Wronsky, daughter of peasants (had to add it for dramatic effect, Pop - everyone knows you & Ma were no peasants) would one day be within spitting distance of the Queen of England. Bob Sheiffer? Perhaps. David Hyde Pierce? If you're really lucky. The Queen of England? No friggin way.

http://picasaweb.google.com/swronsky/TroopingOfTheColoursQueenSParade#

Notting Hill - the Movie

Ahh Notting Hill. The movie that cemented my love for Hugh Grant and my disdain for Julia Roberts. I love the movie, and the end always does make me so happy. But I can't help thinking after all is said and done that Hugh Grant really is Daniel Thacker, and Julia Roberts really is Anna Scott.

But anyhoo. I've seen the movie in the US a zillion times. Tonight, it was on here on Sky1. Toward the end of the movie, when Anna (Julia) is finally acting in a real movie (Henry James), they are filming "at Hampstead Heath", so one of the characters tells Daniel (Hugh). So of course, my attention perks up. Well. Remember the day that Kyle and I went to visit the Kenwood House, then didn't get lost in Hampstead Heath? That's where - in the movie - they are filming the Henry James movie that Anna (Julia) is in! Ya follow? That lovely estate home is the Kenwood House! The sprawling lawn? The lawn at the Kenwood House! The tunnel arbor that Daniel (Hugh) and Anna's (Julia) agent walk through while ducking? I've walked through it! And ducked!

Pretty cool, huh? Gives me eternal hope for a girl. standing in front of a boy. asking him to love her. Now I just need to go find that blue door...

What's Been Happening

Life. It's just been going on. Even here, across the ocean, far away from family, friends and all that is familiar, life goes on. I still don't have a real routine - I'm looking into some volunteer opportunities and perhaps even a class, but for now, I just sort of take things day by day.

I've joined the Hampstead Women's Club which has been good. I've attended a few of their monthly coffees and a lunch and have met some really nice women in all stages of life: younger, older, younger kids, older kids (none as old as mine!) and no kids at all. Some from the UK and many from the US. It's actually through the HWC that I got the tickets to Royal Ascot. And just last week they hosted the UK Charity Premiere of the movie The Brothers Bloom with Rachel Weisz, Adrian Brody, and Mark Ruffalo (what a cutie!) The theatre was right in Hampstead, and the director, Rian Johnson, was a special guest. He did a Q & A after the movie too. (Reviews were mixed of the movie but I really liked it and would recommend renting it - it's sort of a quirky caper con artist story.) All proceeds from the ticket sales went to The Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti. It was a fun (and worthwhile) event.

This Saturday, Chris & I are attending the Trooping of the Colour and the Queen's Parade. I'm not even going to try to explain all that it is, but it will be a lot of pomp & circumstance and it's in honor of Liz's Birthday (which is actually in April.) Dress for the occasion is a suit or "day dress" (??) with a hat as optional. Oi. I figure I'll wear whatever I'll plan to wear to Ascot, although I don't yet know what that is. This type of shopping totally intimidates me and I have no good friend or sister to bring along with me to help. We got this weekend's tickets from a member of the LMUK Board (I already spoke of Lord Patten) who is not able to attend. I must say that it's when these types of opportunities arise that I'm able to put aside my current homesickness and melancholy and appreciate how fortunate we are to be here. (And I know the homesickness and melancholy are only temporary... even tho we've never moved out of the country before, we've moved plenty and I'm familiar with the brain pattern.)

Since I last wrote, Chris & I have ventured to Highgate - a neighboring village to Hampstead - and toured the really beautiful Highgate Cemetery where a lot of "famous" people are buried, most of whom I've never heard of, with the exception of Karl Marx, who most of us have heard of. On the way home we walked through Hampstead Heath and knew exactly where we were going. :-) Last Saturday we traveled to Chelsea which is a great neighborhood with great shopping and lovely homes. We went to see the "Untitled Artist's Fair" - the artist who we bought some work from at the Greenwich Market gave us tickets - and it was a nice way to spend a Saturday. It was a warm day, which really only is an issue when you're inside or on the tube, as you don't find a lot of air con (as they call it) here in London.

A few weeks ago when Chris was away for a few nights Kyle & I went to Covent Garden, which is sort of like Faneuil Hall in Boston - market, restaurants, street performers, and a lot of fun. Then we went to the Royal Drury Lane Theatre; didn't see the Muffin Man but we did see the musical Oliver! which we enjoyed... I was a bit disappointed with the overall production but you can't help but to love the music in that show.

So... you'd never guess from all we've had going on that I still have moments of sitting around wondering what it is I'm supposed to be doing. But my attitude is slowly switching from "what the hell am I doing here" to "time to figure this out" which is definitely a good sign.

http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/
http://picasaweb.google.com/swronsky/ThingsWeSaw#

Things I'm Getting Used To (or trying to anyway)

1. Walking
2. Walking uphill
3. Carrying an umbrella even when it's sunny
4. Emptying the condensation collector on the dryer
5. Online grocery shopping

LIST INTERRUPTION: Al? Tipper? Whaaaaaaaaaaaat???

6. Never knowing what's going on in the US
7. The British version of customer "service"
8. Not having a yard
9. Weekly Friday morning alarm test in our building
10. Celsius, kilos and litres
11. No window screens
12. Ventilating kitchen via opening window and fanning the door open & closed
13. Purse weighing about a stone due to all the coin
14. Stones vs. pounds (1 stone = 14 pounds)