Journal
Keep up with the activities of the London 2006 participants!
Our first adventure in England was a visit to Grasmere...
Grasmere: Butharlyp Howe AYH, Wordsworth, Hiking, and Rain
Grasmere is one of many small towns located in Britains storied Lake District. Its only industries are sheep and tourism and it's been engaged in both activities for centuries.
The Lake District owes its beautiful geography to extensive glacial activity in the last ice age. The lakes are long, and nestle in beautiful valleys whose hillsides support a large population of sheep.
Aside from sheep, Grasmere's other claim to fame is that Wordsworth, the famous writer, lived here for many years. Making the pilgrimage to his house was our excuse to justify our visit to Grasmere.
Butharlyp Howe:
Our 4-star youth hostel named after the Viking warlord "Butharlyp" who settled in these parts centuries ago. His burial mound, or "Howe", is rumored to be located nearby, but has yet to be found.
The approach to Butharlyp Howe:
The YHA Creed:
Dinner at Butharlyp Howe:
Hangin' after dinner:
Lads at the pub:
A rainy day at Butharlyp:
Cindy warms her toes:
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Hiking around Grasmere:
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Back in London:
The Pickwick, our London digs:
Patrick Hancock, the Pickwick's wonderful and warm hotelier
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The Swedenborg Society
Because the London Program is not associated with any London college or university we had to find our own classroom. The second floor of the nearby Swedenborg Society serves this purpose admirably. The Swedenborg Society is a wonderful London oddity. Founded by a 19th century mystic and metaphysician by the name of Swedenborg, it has a very interesting history. If you'd like to know more, check out this link: http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/
Founders of the Society:
The classroom:
Food for thought:
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About town:
Harry Potter was here...
Martin in the belly of the beast:
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The Theatre:
A primary focus of the London Program is on Londons Theatre scene. Students see anywhere from 2 to 4 plays a week, usually at night. Below are pics of the marquees for some of the plays.
Marquees:
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The Globe Theatre:
The new Globe theatre is a reconstruction of the original built by Shakespear and friends in 160x. The new Globe is located a few hundred yards east of the original, on the south bank of the Thames.
The day before seeing Shakespeares 'Coriolanus' at the Globe Theatre we met with Simon, an actor associated with the Globe, who gave us a great capsule description on the history of theatre in England, and the history of the original Globe theatre. He then lead some brave volunteers through one scene of 'Romeo and Juliet'...
The Globe from a bridge:
Simon directs:
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Trip to Greenwhich Observatory:
For geography buffs, Greenwich has the honor of being the longitudinal "Prime Meridian" (the zero point of longitude on the globe). The solution to determining longitude at sea without any visible landmarks was solved by the invention of very accurate clocks, some of which are on display here.
We took a tour boat from Embankment pier to Greenwhich, which is on the southern bank about a mile or two downriver...
Happy passengers:
Westminster and Big Ben:
Tyler hangs with little Jack, class mascot:
... and on the left, the Tower of London:
Tower Bridge:
Greenwhich pier, our destination, with the Cutty Sark in the background:
A closer look at the Cutty Sark, the fastest commercial sailing ship:
View of Greenwhich Observatory through the National Maritime Museums colonade:
Greenwhich Observatory:
Bust of Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal of Greenwhich:
View of the London from Greenwhich Observatory with National Maritime Museum in the foreground:
