Return of the In-Laws

So Amanda's parents have come to stay with us in our new digs in South London and since they have spent a little bit of time in the UK before, our quest was to find new places to take them. Gilwell Park certainly fit the bill as far as new and unique tour sites go so to follow it up we decided to take them out to the Camden Town Markets. Camden Town is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to take visitors because it is unlike anywhere else in the city.

On our way back that evening we stopped by Amanda's office to show off her view of Tower Bridge.

The next day we drove out to Hampton Court for the afternoon as none of us had been there before either. Set upon the River Thames in southwest greater London the Palace had originally belonged to the Order of St John of Jerusalem prior to Thomas Wolsey take control of the palatial estate in 1514. For the next 14 years Wolsey spent enormous sums building a his estate. However in 1528 Wolsey, sensing his power and influence over King Henry VIII slipping, gifted the entire property to the King. There is some debate as to whether this gift was indeed Wolsey's idea or was the result of a comment from the King himself upon seeing the palace for the first time.

Henry VIII continued to build on the sight after he received it from Wolsey and indeed construction on the palace took place sporadically over the preceding centuries until the final rooms were completed in 1737. During Henry VIII's ownership he added what would be the last great hall built for an English monarch, the Anne Boleyn apartments (completed after she'd lost her head) and of course a massive kitchen expansion. The King liked to eat. Long dine the King!

But rather than boring everyone with the entire history of Hampton Court here are a few of our favorite photos from our day.

Getting ready to walk through the gates.

What's up there?

Ahh, guns. Lots of guns.

Apparently I was supposed to be taking part in this photo...Oh well.

A pair of the Queen's swans.

Base of the oldest/largest living grapevine in the United Kingdom

Next stop Paris and the Eiffel Tower!

After a quick nap that is...