Magical Moments

Beautiful J and I...she is sized O and oddly enough very kind !! 

Wow..how is that for a title from MOI ? When was the last time "Magical Moments" flew out of my mouth ? Maybe, like, NEVER...but hey how else was I going to describe them...like totally awesome moments ? Like freaking cool moments? Well here are the "magical moments" from my trip...or okay might I say things that happened to me that ROCKED my world ! 

A) My "special tour" of Westminster Abbey...I decided that I really wanted to go back and get a tour of Westminster on my time. I didn't want to feel rushed going through. So, I decided to do my church/museum day to Westminster Abbey and The British Tate. I went in the front door and payed for my tickets. There of course other Americans in line..and of course I am trying to ignore there sometimes rudeness and stupidity. I walk in and I had no idea where I was. Why ? Because the last time I visited Westminster Abbey you could roam around at your own pace. There was the ability to pace yourself, but it was all roped off so that Westminster had some control over your path. 

I walked around for awhile and then approached a really nice lady. Her last name was Kennedy which of course has stuck in my mind. I asked her if it had always been like that because I didn't remember all the ropes. She said that they had changed it because Westminster wanted to you walk in a see the sunlight coming through a specific window. Really ? Was I impressed by this amazing approach ? No, didn't even bother to look up. So, she asked me why I was there. I told her that I was a SICK anglophile and had an obsession with English History. Well, I can try, but it's not that easy to memorize that stuff. So, she asks me " Have you seen the Edward the Confessor Chapel"? I said that I hadn't. So she asks some guy to take me up there. He of course gives me the up and down and says that we shouldn't. She says "Well, just pretend we never asked you". That brilliant lady took me up there. She unhooks the rope and we go upstairs. OH MY GOSH ! Now looking at website it says :The Chapel containing the shrine of St. Edward the Confessor, lies east of the Sanctuary at the heart of the Abbey. It is closed off from the west by a stone screen, probably of 15th century date, carved with scenes from the Confessor's life. Work is in progress to conserve the floor of this chapel and during this time public access is restricted.

Can we say amazing moment ? We sat up there and she was explaining the different Kings who are buried in the chapel...then some people came in so we had to take off. I was so grateful....what an honor to get up and go in there. I am glad she trusted me enough not to take pictures.

The next day I visited with my friend Cookie. She tells me that I look I have cancer with my bandana on my head. Now I am wondering if this lady thought I had cancer and that is why she let me though....I hope not ! 

Inside the ladies restroom. They used to only allow men...

B) Going to the Cambridge/Oxford Club. I have already blogged about going inside and meeting L and how special that was. I am sorry, but who has read this blog that was able to go in there ? Okay, I can say that one person I know can go in there that reads this, but never the less it was a privilege.

C) Attending the Opera at Eton College. The Windsor and Eton Opera perform every year. They hire professionals to sing the major parts and others who are interested in singing are also singing in the background and choir. This years Opera was Turandot by Puccini. I have only been to the opera once before this at it was at the San Francisco Opera house in $300 seats. The main female singer in the Opera was a little too powerful for me, but I really enjoyed it. People come to Eton as tourists. There I was hanging out with the community. Mrs. F and I went with her sized O poshed out friend. Who happen to know everybody there from the local golf club. Really if I found out what half the people do there for a living....I wonder if I would feel even more ghetto than I already was. I don't think women actually eat there...posh and sized O go hand in hand. 

Mrs F on her birthday ! 

Tori and I ...I am looking at little tired...

Susi and I at Cron und Lanz

My birthday lunch with Cookie at the V&A

Bern and I at her children's violin concert in Cork, Ireland

Shawna, Eileen and I in Dublin, Ireland

D) Spending time with some amazing friends !  All who I miss !!