We're off to See the Wizard...Harry Potter

Since I had recently gone to Universal Studios "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" so I was curious to see what I'd find at "The Making of Harry Potter" at Warner Brothers Studios in Leavensten, England.  So, I booked a day trip.

This is the first time I was disappointed with a tour I booked on Viator.  The actual Warner Brothers tour was *awesome,* but I had some issues with the tour company.  First of all, they were late for the pickup and a bit disorganized in getting us on the bus.  On the plus side, our driver pointed out sights as we headed out of London and took us past...

Abbey Road Studios!  That was pretty cool.  We actually drove over the crosswalk from the iconic Beatles photo.  I may have to go back...just cuz...

So we left London and got to the studios about an hour later.  A rep from the tour company came on the bus and handed out tickets.  There were also "passports" where you could get stamps by finding hidden golden snitches throughout the tour. Apparently, they frown upon adults who want to do childish things because, when I asked for a passport, I was rudely informed that they were "only for children."  Now an adult ticket is more than a child's ticket, so why can only children have passports?  Fine! I'll be a grownup....

So we go in and stand in a queue where we walk past

The set for the Cupboard Under the Stairs.

We go into a small room where we watch a short film on 4 small screens about the impact of the 

films.  Then, we are herded into a small theater where we watch another film where Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint talk about the making of the films.  Finally, the movie screen lifts and you see the entrance to the Great Hall of Hogwarts.  

The door opens and we all push our way through.  This is my second favorite part of the tour...The Great Hall.  All of the best stuff is in here

This is one of the long tables set for dinner

Some of the costumes of Gryffindors.  Harry's first robes are all the way on the left.  The center is Ron's costume and there is the cardigan worn by Neville.

Here are Moaning Myrtle's robes.

Professors McGonigal, Dumbledore, and Snape.  I do want to say that I was very disappointed by the fact that Richard Harris' Dumbledore was greatly left out of the displays here.  I actually liked him better and felt that he was horribly overlooked.

Here is the actual Sorting Stool and Sorting Hat!  We were then ejected from the Great Hall as the next batch was being set loose from the theater.  But we could explore the rest at our leisure.

Costumes from the ball from The Goblet of Fire.

Harry and He Who Must Not Be Named...

The gates to Hogwarts

The boy's Gryffindor dormitory with Harry's Bed

Proof I was there.  The Mirror of Erised.

The Cloak of Invisibility...one of the Deathly Hallows.

The Gryffindor Common room

Sirius Black's prison garb.

Entrance to Dumbledore's office

And Dumbledore's office (again...no Richard Harris)

Some of the more important small props, such as the Rememberall, the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone, Time Turner, etc...

The Potions Classroom

The Weasley's Home.

Oh the pink!

The meeting at Malfoy Manor with Charity Burbage suspended above the table. 

The Black Family Tapestry

Where Sirius was removed.

The Riddle Family tomb.

The fireplaces in the Ministry of Magic.

One of Dolores Umbridge's Proclamations

The Hogwart's Express

The last costumes we saw for our main characters...as adults dropping off their own children. 

, 

We were halfway through and time for a butterbeer on the back lot.  Yes, I got a souvenir mug.  It's different than the one I got in Orlando (but they had that one too)  I have already cracked the handle. 

The Knight Bus

4 Privet Drive

The Potter Cottage.

We then headed in to see the second half of the tour, which included the creature and special effects shops.

Some of the masks for the goblins

Grawp's head

Most of the cast had latex masks made of their faces for special effects purposes.  They were all creepy

Doby!!

Aragog!

Buckbeak.  He moved...which was a little creep as well.

Diagon Alley Views

A piece of concept art I really thought was awesome.  I wish they had copies of some of it for sale in the gift shop.

I'm going to show you a ton of photos of my favorite part of the tour.  The scale sized model of Hogwarts.  Parts were lit for day and parts for night.  It was all totally AWESOME...

This was the end of the tour.  Unsurprisingly, you exited through the gift shop.  Surprisingly, I'd seen most of it before.  I'd worn the t-shirt I'd purchased in Orlando...and it was also here in the UK.  I got an "I was a prisoner in Askeban" shirt, a chocolate scented frog keyring, an actual chocolate frog, and some Jelly Babies.  

I had some time left, so I go a sandwich and some water, then headed back to the bus.  The only good thing I can say about the tour company is that they dropped me near my rental so I didn't have to take the tube back. 

Oh, the lift in my building is not fixed.  

This is Why I Hate Moving Around

So, it was time to move from my posh diggs to a more basic studio rental in an area that I'm actually more familiar with.  Things started to go wrong early on (don't worry, I'm fine and it all worked out) and the fun ended around noonish.

It started yesterday when I realized there were several flights of steps going down to the St. James tube station and taking the ginormous bag was not something I wanted to deal with.  I decided a cab would be the best option.  So I went online and thought I booked a cab, emailed the owner of the studio flat to let him know I'd be a bit early.

Got most of my stuff packed and went to bed.  Woke up and puttered about...mostly finished packing and read my email.  Found out that my cab booking had been cancelled!  So, I went back and rebooked with another service that cost more, but was rated "more reliable." That booking was accepted.

Sat down to watch TV until the cab was scheduled to come.  The cleaning lady came a little early, which was fine as it was only about 10 minutes before I was due to vacate.  I went down to wait for the cab.  I checked my booking and noticed a mistake...it was for noon on Tuesday.  I know that I put in TODAY at 11, so I called, found out that they couldn't come for a half hour.  So, hung out on a street corner with my suitcase waiting for my ride.  He showed up about 15 minutes late.  There was some sort of shindig going on at Buckingham Palace, so we got stuck in traffic and I was later....

Now, you know I chose to bring the ginormous suitcase because both flats had lifts (elevators).  I got to rental number two where I was told that the lift was on the blink...and I'm staying on the 4th floor (that's 5th floor to those of us in the US). So the owner's 87 year old father comes down to "help me with my bag" which entailed his dragging it up all but one floor as I got that far before he took it from me.

He was a very charming and interesting man who had stories of his experience as a child who was relocated out of London in the second world war (like in Bedknobs and Broomsticks) and fighting in Korea during that war.  He told me which museums to see, how to get to them, and all about his fascination with set building for plays.  All interesting, all charming...but I really had to pee...

He finally headed back to the train to go home and I headed out to the tube to go to Whole Paycheck UK and do some grocery shopping.  I was really hoping to find the stem ginger fudge I still dream about that I got there the last time I was here.  I found one last package and paid a lot for my week's worth of food.  Headed back and unpacked the food and found out that, while the fridge had been defrosted, the tray holding the melted water had not been emptied...yep...EVERYWHERE!

I decided I needed a warm jacket...ideally, a hoodie.  I had checked out the Gap next to Whole Foods and I didn't want to pay London prices for something I could get back home (no cheap fleece there), so I decided I needed to go back to Primark.  I google mapped that I'm actually pretty close to Oxford street and I could take Bayswater along Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park...so off I went.

And I ended up at a favorite spot of mine...the Italian Gardens.  I decided to try to retake some of the photos I took last time to see if they came out better

Mostly, I love this fountain and the face of the cherub holding it up

Her face is still melty, but I think the fountain wasn't working last time

and this is the view up The Long Water, which actually becomes the Serpentine when it enters Hyde park

I headed to Oxford street and got in Primark 10 minutes before close.  Found a cheap hoodie, a couple of t-shirts and some Harry Potter socks.  That done...I'm exhausted.

Went into Hyde Park on the way back and took it slow.  Stopped a couple of times and sat on a park bench. 

Took some pretty pictures of trees.  Got back to the flat and listened to my knee grind as I again climbed the stairs...

Oh well, at least they're not steep, weirdly shaped stone steps like the ones in Rome last year, so small mercies.

Made spaghetti and had it with fresh buttered bread and organic white wine.  So, I'm tired and a little buzzed (yes, only one glass).

Time for bed...tomorrow is Harry Potter!!

First Day with a Vengance

So, I headed out with a plan today and mostly stuck with it.  I was thinking about going out and getting an English breakfast...but skipped that bit. Had some tea and bread with butter and headed out for the day...toward Buckingham palace...

As you can see a lovely cloudy English day.  It was actually fricking freezing.  So much for my run of good luck with the weather in the UK.  I wore every warm piece of clothing I brought with me.  Still, there was a crowd outside of the gates.

Since I knew you all wanted to see one of the guards...here you go!

And the Victoria Monument.  Even though it's not as elaborate as the one she had constructed for her consort, Albert, I like this one so much better.

After a few moments wasting my time at the palace, I headed down the Mall toward my morning's destination and I saw some mounted police.

Thought that was kinda cool.  I headed down Marlboro where I happened upon a monument to Queen Alexandra.  

and I got this really interesting shot

I turned a corner to find my destination

See that plaque just beneath that street sign down the alley?

Wooohooo the old Texas Embassy!

So, that accomplished, I had to get to the Northern Line of the Tube to get to Camden Market.  so I found myself in Piccadilly Circus.

This place makes me think of Bridget Jones...LOL.  Oh, somewhere in there, I found a TK Maxx (Brit version of TJ Maxx) where I found some Italian linen.  SCORE!

Then, it was my first foray into the Tube and I found myself in Camden Town.

This was seriously even more interesting than it looked.  It's a lot different than I remember.  I couldn't find the giant chair anywhere....

This will never change though

This is where you can get anything to eat that you could possibly ever even think of.

 This is one of the locks and a boat going in

The lock filled up with water...

And they're on their way.

I bought a few things and headed toward Oxford Street, which is incredibly under construction.  I checked out Primark and got a couple of things (really cheap), went to TWO H&Ms and could not find a plus size section in either.  H&M is dead to me.

Found my Lush!  got my "self preserving" stuff and some solid shampoo that smells like cinnamon.  

I was dead.  I headed back and did a bit of laundry, ate a bunch of stuff, booked myself a cab  for tomorrow (since I saw the steps at St. James Tube station and noooo fraking way) and am mostly packed.  Time for bed.  

End of the Work Week

Well that was something new for my trips, but it was fun.  I haven't looked forward to going to work every day so much for quite some time.  I did learn a lot and I made some new friends which is always a good thing.

My London Cohorts

I may pop in next week to visit, or not...lol.  Depends on how the week unfolds.

I thought all the way up to this evening that I would be moving to a new rental property tomorrow.  I started getting ready to move and found out that I move on Sunday.  Well, DUH.  So, I make more extensive plans for tomorrow. 

Camden Market.  Haven't been since my first trip in 1998 and need to go back and have some shopping FUN.

Oxford street...more shopping...

If I'm not dead...Forbidden Planet, so my friend Raine (who was also here in 1998) can visit in spirit. Does she want me to pick anything up for her...no idea.  I expect I'll have to channel her. 

Get ready, I'm about to be set loose on London once again.

Remotely Working

Today was my first day visiting our offices here in the UK.  I'm going to warn you that there will probably not be much of reporting explorations and photo sharing.  I am working 10 to 7 every day and will not have time for much else.

I woke up several times in the night last night, still trying to adjust to the 6 hour time change.  I finally got up at 7, had some breakfast, did a bit of reading, and got ready for work.  I was out the door at 9:30.

I only got a little turned around and took the long way to work, walking alongside the Royal Mews for a bit.  I did find the office without much difficulty.

I got up to the office, met my colleagues, and settled in to work (after finding tea).  At lunch, my UK cohort took me to a pub for lunch, which resulted in the only photo for today:

Lovely fish and chips with some mushy peas (photo credit Luke M,).  Fish is yummy, chips are lovely, mushy peas are still gross.  

Back to the office, more work, left about an hour and a half after everyone else.  I was drooping a bit and had trouble focusing on my computer by about 4pm. 

Stopped at Marks & Spencer for some pricey butter and marked down baked goods (apple hot crossed buns for breakfast tomorrow!) on the way home.

Leftover mac and cheese with a salad for dinner.  Double chocolate markdown cookie for afters.  Bed very soon.

Maybe I'll take a walk in the morning and check out Pall Mall and Buckingham Palace. 

London is My Weakness

Yes, I'm off on another of my adventures.  To London *again*.  London leads the race for re-visits at 3 times.   I've been to Scotland twice, but can we really count that?  I spent most of my first trip working my butt off getting a new bookstore up and running.  Every single time I've come to London, it was for me.  Even this time, with my working remotely for the first week, it's because I want to be here.

Anyway, this trip got off to an interesting start.  My flight was supposed to depart at 6:50 Saturday night: however, at around 11:30am I got a text and email from British Airways telling me that the flight was delayed until 10pm.  Don't know why I rushed packing so much then.

Sat around the house, ran the dishwasher and put stuff away.  Ran out to buy a new travel pillow and Streetwise Map of London (both of which I have somewhere, but couldn't find)

British Airways gave us all a food voucher for the delay.  Problem is, most of the places to eat in the Austin Airport were closed by the time we all showed up.  One place was doing a brisk business in sandwiches, bottled water, and protein bars.

Flight was not full. Got situated, settled in, watched "Bride and Prejudice" (a movie I love and have trouble finding at home) whilst eating my mushroom risotto, tomato mozzarella salad and passion fruit posset. Then I fell asleep and for the first time ever, slept most of the way through the flight.

Getting through customs and out of the airport was pretty easy.   Found my driver (who had my entire name...middle and all...on his card) and headed to London.  He was pretty silent until we got into the city and one of the other women in the car (yes, the shuttle was actually a sedan as there were only three of us) asked a question.  We all started him talking about museums and shopping next.  He was a little grumpy and grumbling at the other cars a bit, but got us there in one piece.

It was a little difficult to find my rental as it is on a one way street and faced the same direction we were driving.  Once we circled around a bit, we found it and I made it in fine.

YAY for elevators!!  Actually, this is more a typical English lift with barely enough room for me and my ginormous suitcase...but that was enough.

I did get out for a little walk (bought some groceries) and made some tea.  Mac and cheese for dinner and I'm getting sleepy at around 8pm local time.  I think I'm overdue for a shower and I'll head to bed early.

<<YAWN>>

Work tomorrow...