Traveling in Europe Part VII: Finishing Our Time in Europe with a few days in London

Since we were flying in and out of London's Heathrow Airport, we planned a few days in London to be less about sight-seeing and more about experiencing a neighborhood. We chose an airbnb in Fulham (a 40 minute bus ride to downtown London). It had a washer and dryer (which we needed after 2 1/2 weeks of living out of our suitcases) and a nice courtyard to sit in. Fulham is a multicultural neighborhood where we could get fresh fruit and veggies off the street and street food from a large variety of countries. 

After looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors and a walk along the Thames, we visited the Bishop's Palace. This place was occupied for 1300 years by the Bishop of London--yes both Catholic and then Church of England. There were a few deaths along the way, of course, and we enjoyed reading the history of the various bloody religious conflicts.

The interior is now more of a museum, but there are some spectacular decorations left to admire.

Mimi is in charge!

The Palace has amazing gardens where it is open to the public and we saw lots of family parties and picnics on the grounds.

After a lunch there at the Bishop's Palace we walked back to our bus stop along the Thames River finding rose gardens and statues to enjoy.

I couldn't resist laughing as Mike and Hannah stopped to look at this sign! Yep, that's you two.

Okay! I couldn't resist just one more art gallery, Courtauld in the Sommerset house. It is a smaller museum close to the center of London.  After getting off the bus we had a small lunch, and a great conversation with an actress who was also having lunch before her performance. Hannah was pleased when she asked her if she was a dancer, because her body has the looks of a dancer. (Hannah is more interested in cheer-leading.)

It turned out that I had worn out my fellow travelers, and after a few minutes we agreed to meet at a nearby pub. However, I did enjoy seeing this art where I didn't have to shove aside other tourists to see a painting.

Cupid and Psyche (1789)
by Joshua Reynolds, First
President of the Royal Academy

I was especially fascinated by the work of Henry Moore from the late 1940's. It is such a reminder of how more impacted England (and all of Europe) by World War II. His work was done with pencil, pen and ink, chalk and wax. The piece below his interpretation of many people sleeping in a bomb shelter.

Before leaving the heart of London, we did head over to Herrods, the world's largest deluxe department store--Channel or Gucci anyone?

On our last evening in England, we went to a nearby pub in Fulham, The Goose. Finally we enjoyed a typical  pub meal! 

And with a full stomach and a good night's sleep, we Ubered to Heathrow and headed back to the USA.