The Imperial War Museum

We got up on Saturday, and made our way to Angel Station to meet up with our friend Dara, and our old neighbor Mark. We took the tube out to the Imperial War Museum to see a bunch of military weapons from Britain's history - Mostly WWII.










The building housing the museum is an old hospital that once held the Bedlam Asylum - the origin of the word "bedlam". It is a beautiful building, and the collection of military vehicles is first rate.







Value to money, this is the best museum I've been to in Europe. It is packed with a variety of things to interest both adults and children. Best of all, it is free!








We arrived at the museum ready for a day full of fun and cheer. But the museum also hammers home the horrors of war, and before we would leave, we would all have an emotional journey that would leave us all exhausted.




On our way to the museum, we passed the residence of Captain William Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame (played by Anthony Hopkins in the Mel Gibson film, "The Bounty"). It shouldn't still amaze me to round a corner and see such places, but it still does.



Once inside the museum, you are greeted with a spectacular courtyard filled with airplanes, rockets, and tanks.








The old WWI planes are in excellent shape. I can't imagine going into combat in a plane made of light wood and paper. Crazy.









They have tanks from many countries in Europe including Russia. It was fascinating to see them up close. And they are all in amazing condition.








Some tanks look like they go back as early as WWI.








They have a real British Spitfire forever locked in combat over London with its arch rival. . .












The German Messerschmitt!










One of the planes was an american plane. I was pleased to see that it was credited as having been made in Inglewood, CA. Almost my home neighborhood.







A nose of a larger bomber is setup so that you can walk through it and see what it would have been like to serve inside one of these larger air machines.








A small early German U-boat is on display. It is basically a carrier for 2 torpedos, that were mounted on either side.





There are even several different types of missiles on display from the early German V-2 rocket. . .








To the modern Polaris Missile.









Of course one of the highlights would have to be the replica of "Little Boy" - the Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima, which heralded a new era in warfare.





There was a really cool display on Spy Warfare. It featured spy cameras, listening bugs, and code communication devices.





The most infamous of all being the German Enigma Machine. It was a encoding and decoding device which had a series of discs that could be swapped out. This created what's called a Polyalphabetic Solution, which made the cypher so difficult to break.






I was surprised to learn that there were several other more elaborate code machines developed on both the British and German sides. However none equaled the notoriety of the Enigma device. It is the granddad of our modern cypher machines.



There was also a Holocaust Exhibit. We saved this to the end, which was a wise decision. It is very moving and emotionally draining. After walking through it, we were all pretty much exhausted, and that was the end of our time at the Imperial War Museum.






We all needed a drink!

Spring 2011

Nothing is more important to the British than the return of Spring after a long cold winter. And nothing is nicer to me than the realization that it isn't quite so cold and dark when I take the dogs to the park at 7:30 in the morning. That first morning when suddenly it just isn't that dark is absolutely wonderful.


And it just gets better and better as the sun rises earlier and earlier until suddenly, it isn't just light, it was actually sunny and the park is bathed in a beautiful orange glow as the newly sprouted leaves and flowers return to further enforce natures announcement that spring has arrived.



I even think the dogs realize the change. I've caught them sniffing the occasional flower.

As soon as the squirrels begin venturing out of their nests, they definitely know spring has arrived.






Even down in Soho, the parks spring to life as the weather gets warmer. They flower beds sprout forth the most amazing tulips that are so colorful, they seem to fool cameras into producing images that just look artificial.

On a beautiful day, I think the indoor restaurants struggle to find customers as everyone heads outdoors to relish the sunshine and the simple joy of sitting in a park for a picnic.

This last week, instead of eating in at our favorite pizza place, a group of us ordered takeout pizza from them and headed to the park. Surrounded by such stunning floral beauty, it made it difficult to return to work.

MURDER!

This notice was in my mailbox informing me of a murder that had occured a few blocks away, and that the police were looking for any leads as to the identity of the criminals. I can only hope that with as many CCTV cameras as there are in my neighborhood, that they should have all the information they need to find and capture them.

Yes. London still has its share of violent crime too. Though guns are banned from private ownership, they are still used by criminals. More commonly, knives are used in committing violent crimes and are the weapons of choice among gang members. I heard a figure that 1-3 violent crime injuries are the result of a knifing. So, violence is still violence.

I found it interesting that a coworker of mine who is planning to visit the US, asked me if he should buy a gun while there to have for the month that he is planning to be there. I assured him that the US is not the lawless wild west of television and film, though there are certainly plenty of gun related violence.

Autumn in London

This autumn has been particularly lovely. It seems to have come on all at once with the leaves all suddenly turning yellow-orange and falling off the trees.




Where there had been pink cherry blossom snow, there is now yellow snow (ha ha).








The dogs have loved jumping through the fallen leaves.






Sadly, the trees will be barren soon, and winter will be here again.

Ghost Stories

As Warhorse was the perfect show to take my mother to, Ghost Stories was the perfect show for Luis and Leeza. They both love the dark and macabre. I sent them the link to the trailer for the show.







They both knew immediately, that they had to see it with me while they were here. Tony, however, had no interest.

Click here to see the Ghost Stories Trailer

It was interesting the way they took an elegant theater and made it actually a scary environment, so that even before the start of the play, there was an ominously aura of foreboding danger.

A fun and scary evening - the show definitely made me jump a few times.

Abbey Road

We got up early to go see Abbey Road, and hopefully avoid the tour buses. We were marginally successful.



Our goal was to get a picture for our Christmas Card of Tony, Bentley, Pepper, and I making the crossing emulating the famous Beatles Album.










Luis is a gifted photographer, and he was only too happy to help.

Mom heads Home

It was a great time having my mother visit. It was fun reconnecting with her other than through Skype. There is something to be said about having family visit.

For my mother's last night in town, we hooked up with Mark for Pizza at "The Yard", a really nice pizza place that makes these huge yard long pizzas. They make all different types, and they are delicious and beautiful.







The following morning, we rode the bus to Paddington Station, and hopped on the train to Heathrow. It felt like it had been a long time since I'd picked her up there a week and a half earlier. We'd had some amazing adventures. It was a little sad checking her in and then saying goodbye at the security checkpoint.




I know we will see each other again shortly. Thanks to the magic of Skype.

My Mother tries Mussels

What son wouldn't parade his mother around to show her off to his friends and coworkers? I had my mother come by my work one evening to participate in the London tradition of "going to the pub after work". Though she doesn't drink alcohol, they found her an alcohol free beer at company's local pub, The Golden Lion. It was fun introducing her to many of my new London friends.



From there, we walked over to one of my favorite London restaurants, Belgo's. It is a Belgian restaurant that is well known for its Mussels in Frites. They also have an extensive Belgian Biere list. It is a very cool urban restaurant that is almost entirely underground.

We ordered a full serving of Mussels prepared the traditional way with Wine, Garlic, and Celery. They come with Frites fried in real animal fat. Boy are they good.


My mother, who had never had Mussels, loved them.