London, take 2
Of course Larva's and my trip to London was not only noteworthy because of the Harry Potter moments. Actually, while there, I already started plotting a second trip in the - hopefully not so distant - future with focus on Drone's interests: castles and the history of the royal navy, most noteably during the age of sails. But in consideration of the teen on my side, I cut the time spent on some our program points shorter than I would have liked it to be, and did not get to explore many things that caught my interest.
Because really, only seeing the Cutty Sark (the fastest tea clipper ship of its time) in passing, and not getting to explore it ... what a shame.
The Cutty Sark Museum is in Greenwich, with the Maritime Museum nearby, and the famous observatory only a short stroll away. Yes, I have been standing with one foot in the Western and one foot in the Eastern hemisphere, but I did not take a picture with me in front of the mark representing the 0-meridian, because ... oh the queue!
Instead I had a Doctor Who moment while there, because I couldn't help but notice that the Battle of Canary Wharf never seemed to have happened ...
You see, even while being in touristy mode, the fannish side of me always worms itself to the surface. Even while exploring the Tower of London.
Couldn't help but think about Game of Thrones when I saw the throne of Henry III; no Iron Throne for sure, but nevertheless ...
And is the "Dragon of Power" in the Armory Exhibition in the White Tower another nod to Game of Thrones, or rather to the Hobbit?
The Tower is has definitely not been explored enough, and as it is right up Drone's alley of interest, that's another program point for a repeat visit to London.
As is Windsor Castle. The guided tour only was planned as a half-day on Sunday. On Sunday, really, when St.George's chapel is closed due to mass? But even without getting to see the chapel the few hours we had there were not nearly enough IMHO. (Larva sees that completely different LOL). The tour-guide was not really needed - she couldn't really give much information beyond what was related on the audio guide, and so I plan for Drone and me simply taking the train to Windsor and spending the day there exploring on our own.
The queen was in Balmoral while we visited; her absence was indicated by the Union Jack billowing above the tower.
With all the exploring and seemingly endless queuing, Larva was knackered and exhausted in the evenings and couldn't be moved to do anything besides enjoying British tv - where we caught the first preview on Sherlock's season 3 by chance. (John with a mustache, really?) Which of course reminded us to pay a visit to Baker Street.
Oh, and another noteworthy, not HP related, but nerdy fact of Oxford's Christ Church College: this garden is described in "Alice in Wonderland" as Alice's garden.
Among the program points we did solely on Larva's request and won't be repeated with Drone were a trip on the London Eye (I think with Drone we will rather get a good view over the roof of London from St.Paul's Cathedral), a tour of the London Dungeon (which we both enjoyed immensely) and Madam Tussauds.