Kew Riverside Has Snow Too

OK, so it is not quite as spectacular as Denver but this is a lot of snow for London!

Windy London - Fallen Tree and Winter Daffodils

It was very windy in London yesterday. Kris heard reports of gusts of up to 75 mph. That afternoon, I did hear an enormous crack. I looked out the window but could not see what tree had fallen. I was afraid to go out for fear of being blown away!

When Banjo and I went out for a walk this morning, this is what we found across the Thames path in front of our house.
I just had to return home to get my camera, much to Banjo's annoyance.


We continued to the Doggy Park where I admired the lovely daffodils, marvelling on how well they survived the wind relative to the giant tree I had just photographed. Banjo showed that he thought the daffodils were special too, in his own way.

Kew National Archives - Alcohol in Britain Exhibit

Since I practically live next door to the National Archives in Kew, I visit fairly often. I wish I had known about the free internet access when we had moved to Kew but my computer had not yet arrived or been set up. There is also a nice cafeteria and great shop. Last year, I enjoyed the free tour of how the National Archives operates, including the complicated system to request and then retrieve books and materials (similar to what is used by the British Library).

In addition to the Domesday book, there is always a somewhat "quirky" exhibit. This time it was on the love-hate relationship Britain has had with alcohol. It only took 30 minutes to see but it was fun.

AWC National Art Gallery & The Art Fund Card

I joined the AWC tour of the National Gallery Sainsbury Wing. As we walked from Embankment to the National Gallery, I enjoyed our guide's references to "King Elizabeth" and "Queen James" as he explained how the Duke of Buckingham acquired so much property. We all enjoyed the tour and dialogue (vs. straight lecture).

After getting our Tex Mex fix at the Texas Embassy, I returned alone to the National Gallery to finally see the Velazquez special exhibit and to test out my new Art Fund Card. I am happy to report that my card was honored and I was given 50% off of the regular exhibit price. The exhibit itself was very crowded and it was a bit difficult at times to get close to some paintings. But I enjoyed the exhibit and was grateful not to have missed it.

KCWC Royal Fashionista Michael Talboys

Michael Talboys talked about what it was like to design for Queen Elizabeth II, as an assistant to one of her two primary and of course British designers - Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies.

Michael described the challenges of matching the gowns to country flags and themes, not always knowing how hot or cold it might be, the compromises Queen Elizabeth made to perhaps celebrate a joyous occasion in one country while in personal mourning, the constant struggle to convince her to wear larger hats, and the practicalities of sewing little weights so that a dress NEVER blew upwards in public. And yes, Queen Elizabeth had a fabulous figure as a young woman: 5'4" tall -- 36" bust -- 22" waist!


Michael also introduced a woman who was involved in the embroidery of every major gown, regardless of the designer. She brought samples of her work and described how the work was done. She is not training anyone to follow in her footsteps but was scheduled to demonstrate her craft at Kensington Palace later that week.

Michael joined us later for lunch and graciously circulated between tables, so we all enjoyed those extra tidbits of gossip that are best reserved for more intimate groups.

AWC Hike - Idyllic Shere and Armed Robbery

Our AWC hiking group took the train to Gomshall and walked to idyllic Shere, where the movie Holiday was filmed. Our leader insisted we take a short stroll through the village because it was so peaceful and cute. As we rounded the corner, there were police cars and police tape blocking the road. Apparently, there had been an armed robbery of the Lloyds TSB just minutes before we arrived.

BBC reported that no shots were fired and no staff or customers were hurt. However, the robber himself may have been injured when he was struck by a vehicle while fleeing. He was described as a swarthy-looking white male, between 5ft 3in and 5ft 5in tall, and of slim build. He was wearing a dark blue coat and dark scarf, and carried a dark holdall.

Genesee AFTER the Storm

The storm cleared but our flight could not be rescheduled until Christmas. So Rae Ann and Rich had us five more days! They took us to Red Rock (famous natural amphitheater), Downtown Denver for the Art Museum (Rae Ann and I had bought the framed Madonna Christmas stamp at the Post Office), Georgetown (former mining town and home of the Georgetown Loop Railroad), to the Colorado Mills mall and the cinema (Casino Royale). Kris and Rae Ann also went snowshoeing several times while I finally finished the cross-stitch I was making for my cousin (Rae Ann framed it and sent me a photo before mailing it). We had a great time and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner on Christmas Day before successfully flying out that night to NJ to visit Raj, Bonnie, and Priya.

The Storm aka Sleeping in DIA

Almost 5000 people were stranded at the Denver airport by a blizzard - and we were four of them! We were scheduled to fly to NJ and Bob & Lali were flying to Las Vegas. Of course, when we called to check that morning before we left Greeley, all was fine. But when we got to the airport, all flights were cancelled. Eventually, we flew out on Christmas Day but Bob & Lali had to cancel their vacation completely. All of the roads were closed and we were stranded!

After collecting our red cross blankets, putting our luggage in storage, and passing through security - it was time to pick our concourse for the night. We made our way to Concourse B, ate dinner at McDonalds and settled into the only bar. Everything was going OK until the manager turned off the TV and closed the bar - at 9pm! It was time to pick our sleeping spot and try to settle in.


As the night wore on, it got colder and colder and colder. We finally gathered up our belongings and moved to higher ground back near the food court, many of the other residents, and the X"#&!! terminal train announcement made every three minutes throughout the entire night.

The next morning, we called for help. As soon as the roads cleared, Rae Ann and Rich picked us up and took us back to Genesee. Later that afternoon, Jason and Cassie picked up Bob and Lali since their car was completely snowed in.

Greeley BEFORE the Storm

We had a relaxing visit with my parents and family in Greeley. Jason and Cassie hosted the delicious Christmas dinner. We celebrated Christmas early because almost everyone was flying out of town that week. Little did we know!

Genesee & Winter Park BEFORE the Storm

Kris and I visited my college roommate (Rae Ann) and her husband (Rich) at their home in Genesee. They took us to their home in Winter Park for our first experience on snow shoes! I also included a picture of a moose they had taken earlier in the season.

Chocolate Tasting at Luento Santoro

Until this tasting, I never realised how complicated chocolate can be. The very enthusiastic owner (Deborah O’Neill) and her assistant compared chocolate complexity with wine and coffee. The cocoa bean quality depends on country of origin, soil, weather conditions, and expertise of the grower. Luento Santoro sources from 21 growers and we were given samples of cacao nibs / beans from three different countries to help us discern the differences. The harvested and dried cacao is shipped to their atelier in France for cleaning, roasting, conching and tempering to produce the "couverture" (chocolate in its pure form). We learned about dark vs milk vs white (only cocoa butter, no cocoa paste) chocolates; French vs Belgian vs Swiss styles; optimal storage and handling; and the critical "finish". We also ate a LOT of chocolate during the two hour tasting. This was a GREAT event!

Royal Academy Holiday Reception and Christmas Carol Service at St James Picadilly

My neighbor Dace and I attended the Royal Academy Christmas event. We got to the RA right on time and were ushered into the John Madejski Fine Rooms. We walked quickly and purposefully towards the food and each got one drink and 3 delicious morsels (brownie, stollen, cookie) - others who came minutes later may have gone hungry - but not because of us! We admired the paintings and then set out for the St James Church across the street.


We were a little early for the concert so we did a bit of browsing in the market in front of the church. Eventually our tickets were taken (alas, no souvenier for my scrapbook) and we went upstairs - we nabbed front center balcony seats. The Reverend opened the service and then there was a rotation between special songs sung by the Mary Ward Singers, all of us singing carols, and Royal Academy dignitaries reading selections of their choice. It was not until the end that we started recognising the carols. The church was beautiful but the seats felt very hard after an hour. We stayed for the entire service (~ 90 minutes) and agreed that it was a great experience.

Medieval Christmas at Banqueting House

The Banqueting House, one of the Historic Royal Palaces, is all that remains of Whitehall Palace which was the principal royal residence from 1530 until 1698. Below (courtesy of the HRP website) is one section of the ceilings painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens.



The AWC arranged for us to enjoy a buffet lunch followed by a medieval Christmas concert performed by the "Dufay Collective". These five musical performers played the vielle, rebec, bagpipes, recorder, flute, simfony, harp and percussion - instruments and music from the medieval times. The soprano had an especially clear voice.

Wakehurst for Christmas

Kris and I visited Wakehurst (sister garden to Kew Royal Botanical Gardens) on a coach trip sponsored by Kew. After a quick drive to Wakehurst (no traffic and no essential engineering works), we were ushered into the "Tack Room" for tea and biscuits. We then were guided around the gardens by Paul Taylor (who bikes to Wakehurst - does not have a car and does not intend to get one). We then had two hours of free time for lunch, visiting the Millenium Seed Bank and shop, and walking around the grounds. At 3:30 we returned to the Tack Room for mulled wine and mincemeat pies. At 4 pm, the "largest Christmas Tree in England" was illuminated and I was happy to have my phone camera. Another quick drive back to Kew. This was a wonderful day.

V&A da Vinci "Experience Experiment Design"

The Victoria and Albert Museum Special Exhibit "Experience Experiment Design" is contained in one room of drawings and projections. The audiovisual guide is latest technology.

The V&A explains the exhibit theme and Leonardo's thinking "The dominant theme is the mathematical operation of all the powers of nature. Every small part of nature mirrors the action of the whole, and the human body is specifically a “lesser world” – lesser in scale but not in wonder and complexity. Everything is related to everything else. Leonardo saw connections where we see only differences."

As an example, here is the commentary that accompanies this exhibit drawing. "This is Leonardo’s supreme, composite demonstration of the irrigation systems of the body in terms of the microcosm or 'lesser' world. It is the culmination of his thinking after the dissection of a 100-year-old man in the winter of 1507-8. Some forms are shown in three dimensions, others sectioned and others rendered as if transparent. Traditional knowledge (for example, the two-chambered heart and "horned" uterus) is synthesised with observation and theory. To clarify the spatial disposition of the organs, Leonardo reminds himself to 'make this demonstration from the side'. Other notes discuss reproduction, birth, death and rebirth."

London Weather - Rainbows and Hailstorms

One minute I am enjoying a fabulous full rainbow over Kew Village and the next minute I am being pummelled by hailstones. I couldn't get out my umbrella because I was carrying my Pether's pumpkin pie (try saying that 10 times fast) home and I needed both hands to keep it level. Ping! Ping! Ping! Those hailstones hurt! And they were cold!

Whinge Whinge Whinge (another great British vocabulary word)

Museum Marathon

Carrie typically enjoys the special London art exhibitions at her leisure, usually preceded or followed by lunch with friends. Kris had to pack in six unique exhibits at three museums in one day, with a quick refuelling stop at Pizza Express and using the long brisk walks between museums as a replacement for his normal Sunday stroll along the Thames.

Note: No museum allowed photography so all pictures are from the museum websites.

Royal Academy of Arts - Chola Bronzes and Rodin

The Chola (South Indian dynasty) sacred bronzes (9th - 13th centuries) were exquisite and everything has a special meaning.

Kris was surprised at how much he enjoyed the Rodin sculptures including The Thinker, The Kiss (shown) and the Gates of Hell.





Somerset House Gilbert Collection - Bejewelled by Tiffany (1837-1987), Pietre Dure and Micromosaics, and Snuff Boxes


Carrie learned a lot about Tiffany during an AWC tour of the exhibit - so she is ready to pay a visit at the next Tiffany store she sees!

Tiffany established a set of principles that are still followed today. There is a broad range so "everyone" can afford something. And there are those beautiful boxes! Credit is given to high profile designers. As the years went by, Tiffany made his stores more and more American such as even importing wood from California for his shop in Paris.

Most of all, Tiffany creatively commemorated significant events in his jewelry. For example, the first photograph shows a length of transatlantic cable that came in a beautiful box and with a certificate of authenticity. Queen Victoria's message ("The Queen congratulates the President on the successful completion of an undertaking which she hopes may serve as an additional bond of Union between the United States and England." ) to President Buchanan in 1858 took 16.5 hours to reach (mainly due to a gap between Newfoundland and New York) and the cable failed within months - but the event was still historically significant.

The second photograph is of the 128 carat Tiffany Yellow Diamond (set in Jean Schlumberger's "Bird on the Rock" brooch). The rest of the photographs are just samples of some of the fabulous jewelry displayed at the exhibit.

Somerset House is particularly proud of their Frederick the Great Snuff Boxes and we enjoyed all of them.



Kris was especially fascinated with the mosaic collection and how they were produced. The Somerset House website explains that there are two types of Italian mosaic featured in the Gilbert Collection: 1) Pietre Dure (hard stones) developed in Florence and 2) Enamel Micromosaics made in Rome.

Pietre Dure is a form of mosaic where brilliant pictures are created from cut and polished marbles and minerals. By skilfully selecting, cutting and polishing many rare and naturally beautiful types of minerals and semi-precious stones (e.g., agate, amethyst, jasper and lapis lazuli), these works are appealing as much for their materials as for their design.

Micromosaics are made from thousands of tiny coloured enamel rods, painstakingly assembled and secured with a slow drying adhesive - some contain over 5,000 of these tesserae per square inch. The final stages of the process involve waxing and polishing to create the seamless surface characteristic of the art.



Tate Britain - Holbein in England

Holbein the Younger became a Henry VIII Court Painter and was paid £30 per quarter (considered a vast sum) for unspecified duties. Holbein also managed a prolific and lucrative side business painting royal portraits. In a three hour sitting, he could often sketch enough details needed for a full portrait. He was very accurate while being able to portray the essence of a person's personality and include something particularly meaningful about or to the person in the painting.