Taking the Fork: Hampton Court Palace and Birthday Dinner

I haven't been feeling well for a couple of weeks and felt even less like doing anything that would require me to exert any type of energy. SO, I was so excited when I finally started to feel better this week. I'm in London! I want to explore! Especially since it's my birthday! (Wed 9 Nov) I decided to forgo the demonstrations in which thousands protest the rise of education costs in the
UK. The demonstration was tightly controlled by police with 4,000 on hand to maintain the peace. Education fees are set to triple which is ridiculous. Many Britons decided to go back to school this year so they could sneak in before the increase....and I don't blame them!

So, rather than stay in the city, I decided to get away to Hampton Court Palace. I started to watch The Tudors show before I left for London and really got in to it. Hampton Court was a great place to visit! I arrived after taking the underground tube to an overground train. The weather was fairly overcast, but cool and perfect for walking around.

Main Entrance to Hampton Court Palace

The palace, in Richmond upon Thames and right on the river, was given to King Henry VIII in 1529. It was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey who fell from the King’s graces. You can see the influence of Henry’s many wives prior to being beheaded! Not to be outdone by the French in
the next century, William III started a major expansion project which stopped when he ran out of money.

Fountain in Base Court. Now spouts water, but would've spouted wine

The palace is massive with Henry VIII, William III and Mary II, and Georgian apartments. Not to mention the stunning palace gardens. I can’t imagine having so many people in your home at one time…although you’d never have to do anything except socialize, although not even that if you didn’t want to! There were a series of rooms in which William III could become more and more secluded in which less people had access. If he wanted ultimate privacy, he went to his wife’s bed chambers, which by the way are magnificent. Long corridors, grand staircases, beautiful artwork and furniture; it’s like a mini city. Everything you needed right at your disposal.

The Bed Chambers

My weather luck changed when I went outside to wander the gardens. The sun came out and offered a beautiful backdrop to the well-kept English gardens. I would love to look out my window and have that view every single day. Unfortunately the tennis courts were closed for the season…although I did make my way through the maze to the center and back out again. I felt a bit like Harry Potter although without the demons and fog wafting about.

Views of the Palace from the Gardens

My birthday was certainly off to a wonderful start! It continued with a partial flat dinner (minus 1 flatmate who had to actually do school-related activities). We went to Jamie’s Italian, a Jamie Oliver restaurant. I had mushroom ravioli with a side of brussels complete with red wine and ricotta cheesecake, to share, for dessert. It was such a nice evening! I think I have my new go-to restaurant in London. I loved the atmosphere, very laid-back and active but with really good food. It’s been so interesting comparing lifestyles with my Asian flatmates. The topic of the evening was about living with your family as you get older. Both my parents (I am speaking for them) and I couldn't wait for me to move out. Me living on my own has certainly made our relationship much easier and closer. Sarah (from China) mentioned now that she's away from her parents they have started saying how much they miss her and want her to come home.

A lovely day indeed!!

Yummy!