We've Moved

In mid-August we made a small move of about 8 blocks. The flat we rented on our arrival a bit more than a year ago was, as we've previously reported here, very nice -- in a brand new building and very modern. It had only one significant drawback -- it was located on the ground floor and, therefore, very noisy. Of course we knew it was on the ground floor when we rented it.

But our windows were right on a sidewalk -- with no space at all between the window and passersby. In addition, it turned out that the sidewalk was a fairly heavily-trafficked one. There was a casino across the street and we were only a short way off of Edgware Road, a major thoroughfare, which resulted in an awful lot of people passing right by our windows; and often quite late at night and after having had more than one or two drinks. It was most disconcerting to be awakened at 2:30 a.m. by a couple of drunks arguing just a few feet from our bed.

Our new flat is an older, much more typical, London building and is on the 2nd floor. In addition, the street is a much quieter one, even though the flat is actually more conveniently located, right near the major Baker Street underground station and many other businesses.

Our mailing address, the US Fleet Post Office (FPO) address, remains unchanged.

The Horsey Set

We attend the Church of St. John's Hyde Park, the church of the "Hyde Park Estate" -- the portion of London that includes the park, the largest in London. The park includes many bridle paths, and there are numerous stables in the area -- yes, many stables right in the center of London.

It seems natural, then, that the church should pay special attention to those who love horses, as well as horses themselves. As part of this relationship, Sunday, September 18th, was the 38th annual "Horseman's Sunday" at St. Johns. Riders from all over the area bring their horses to the church for a bit of a festival accompanying the blessing of the horses by the church's vicar.

This year we were joined by the (lady) Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster, as well as our local Member of Parliament. Some pictures of the event are at: http://chuck.smugmug.com/gallery/818093/1/36478432

A Year Already!

Just before we left for Lisbon, Karissa and Dante
spent a couple of days with us. They were on their way to Spain for a first anniversary vacation and were passing through London on the way. They spent a bit more than 2 days with us, then they left for Spain and we left for Lisbon.

Shortly after our return from Lisbon, we got to see them for two more days as they passed through London returning home from Spain. They visited Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, and while they were in Spain we were in Portugal.

We were both amazed to realize that a year had gone by already since their wedding.

They have returned to Jacksonville and hope to be moving into their new townhouse, now under construction.

Lisbon

We recently spent 5 days in Lisbon, Portugal. Chuck attended a conference there on the reduction of pollution in industrial processes -- Kathi chose to spend the days in other ways!

Lisbon is, of course, like so many European capitals, overflowing with history as well as beauty. It is also well-known for great shopping and delicious food. One of the almost-obligatory things to experience there is "fada" (Portuguese for "fate") singing, supposedly the ultimate expression of Lisbon's soul. We were invited to attend a dinner with fada singing at Lisbon's museum of the fada and it was a most enjoyable evening, featuring 3 different singers -- two women and a man.

We made the expected rounds of beautiful churches, monasteries, monuments and restaurants. One of the highlights was the Maritime Museum -- one of the largest we've seen -- and one which portrays Portugal's historic maritime exploits most creditably. The collection of ship models is extraordinary and, of course, Chuck was in his element. It's a terrible shame that Lisbon's tragic earthquake of 1755 not only destroyed most of the city, but many of the artefacts from the world-shaping voyages of Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Diaz and others. The monastery of San Jeronimo boasts a beautiful (and uniquely two-story) cloister with magnificant stonework.

Lisbon is filled with examples of beautiful tile work in (and on) hundreds of buildings, making the National Tile Museum, which has preserved large works in tile from many older buildings, an especially interesting stop. The decorative tile work from entire rooms of now-gone palaces, churches and public buildings is on display. The museum also contains many beautiful works in tile of more recent origins. Entry to the museum includes entry into the adjacent Church of Madre de Deus, which houses extremely elaborate, even overwhelming, decorations in gold.

Some Lisbon pictures are at: http://chuck.smugmug.com/gallery/818040