Where in the world is Hannah Spaar?

I’ve been neglecting my blog. Can I make up for it with some pictures from a recent trip to the United Kingdom?

In August I went to the United Kingdom for eight days. A friend and I started in London, blew through Edinburgh, made a wonderful stop in York and then ended in London again. It was a great trip, which I’ve talked people’s ears off about. So, instead of a full recap, in the order I encountered them, here were a few of my favorite things:

The architecture in Oxford

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Oxford was full of interesting buildings which, in turn, made for interesting photos.

We went on a walking tour that took us through Trinity College, around to the University buildings (pictured), through to the Radcliffe Camera (the hardest building to photograph due to its size) and on to get a glimpse of Christ Church.

I’m not sure how anyone studies with so many tourists around.

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Traipsing around Hyde Park

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Hometown hero Clayton Crabtree decided to show me his favorite part of London, Hyde Park. It was a wonderful morning. It was a taste of just how much larger the monuments are in the U.K. We saw the Italian gardens, a giant horse statue, the Albert Memorial and the outside of Kensington Palace.

A view of the park from the Sunken Gardens at Kensington.

A view of the park from the Sunken Gardens at Kensington.

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Living the dream at the Tower of London

I read my first book about Elizabeth I in third grade — and have wanted to go to London and the Tower of London since. I’d say “Mission Accomplished", but the line for the crown jewels was so long that we didn’t have enough time to see the auxiliary buildings. I’ll have to go back!

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The view from Edinburgh Castle

Absolutely incredible. The castle is very military-oriented, which wasn’t a draw for me, but the view absolutely was.

Having Holyrood Palace essentially all to myself

I got in on last admission, and only one or two people were in each room at the same time I was. It was wonderful. Here’s a view of the ruined abbey from the gardens, which are part of the landscape of Arthur’s Seat.

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The charm of York and Yorkshire

York is small, and Yorkshire is rural — it all felt like home.

York Minster towers over York.

York Minster towers over York.

Helmsley is a town the size of Wellington with a ruined castle. I found this adorable garden near it more interesting.

Helmsley is a town the size of Wellington with a ruined castle. I found this adorable garden near it more interesting.

The Moors

Our day tour of the North York Moors was a highlight of the trip. Whitby, a sea town where we stopped, as also of particular interest. Its abbey was the inspiration for Dracula.

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A marionette performance in Whitby

A marionette performance in Whitby

Whitby Abbey was a photographer’s dream of shape and sky.

Whitby Abbey was a photographer’s dream of shape and sky.

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Getting lost in the VA

I underestimated the size of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is marvelously eclectic. Overwhelmed, I tried to stick to some favorite subjects, but got lost along the way and saw a lot I wouldn’t have otherwise. This swan is entirely made of silver.

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What I didn’t expect to find in the British Museum

A long line led to very little time in the British Museum. As I should have expected, the Egypt area was entirely overwhelmed. Displays for other cultures from the same time period were a revelation — and I could breathe while looking at them.

The Globe Theatre

Absolutely worth it. I saw an “audience choice” production of “Twelfth Night” much like what a performance at the time would have been like (a troupe more than a cast, simple costumes, nothing taken seriously. It was perfect.