Part Two - Something Old Something New

Something Old

Hampton Court Palace was built for Cardinal Wolsey around 1514.  When he fell out of favor, King Henry VIII claimed the property and greatly enlarged it.

In the following century, King William II began a massive rebuilding and expansion project intended to rival Versailles. Work stopped in 1694 (lack of money) and left the palace in two distinct contrasting architectural styles, domestic Tudor and Baroque.

There are shields and emblems and signs of ownership everywhere.

One of the most impressive rooms is the Tudor Great Hall.  This photo does not begin to do the ornate ceiling justice.

Maybe this montage of photos of the Tudor rooms will better show their earthy elegance.

I can't say that ornament displays of weapons do much for me. 

We toured King William III's apartments.

This is the King's Privy Chamber - not very private is it?

I preferred the more modest rooms like the King's Private Writing Room.

Can you imagine sleeping in the King's Great Bed Chamber?

This is another modest room - used for playing board games.

King William III's dining room was also surprisingly modest.

I had fun looking for emblems and insignias and the like.  Everyone left their mark.  The bottom left has the entwined initials of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.  There are also some reminders of the former residents of the "Grace and Favour" apartments.  

After spending the day immersed in "Something Old" it was time to try "Something New".

Here's the Something New!

I ended the day by taking a trip across the Thames on the Emirate Air Line.  The gondolas climb up to an elevation of 300 feet over the river at the highest point of the flight.

I was in a car all by myself as my mother declined to take part on this adventure.  I must confess to clutching the seat a bit and chanting to myself - no sure what I said!  There were certainly some amazing views though when I could pry my eyes open and look around.