Storming the British Museum (Thursday July 5)

Our primary objective Thursday was the British Museum.  This is a bit like saying "I think I will see the Smithsonian today."  We tried to concentrate on the unique and iconic things that can only be found there.  There are 6 Million objects in the collection, you could never see them all.  The boys got the kids audio tour, which also helped focus us.  Our Adult guides had the kids and adult info--but once again we found the kid audio just about our speed!

The Great Court.  A museum chock full of amazing history
with amazing architecture to match!

The Rosetta Stone.  Yes, the one and only.  Now, that is cool.

The Elgin Marbles.  Stolen...er...Plundered....er...Collected
from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early
1800s.  Greece wants them back.  Photo Credit: Ethan Bolton

More Elgin Marbles.  Lots of really cool fight scenes the boys liked.

Mayan relief of royal blood letting ceremony.
Photo Credit:  Ethan Bolton

Logan was particular impressed that this involved the Queen pulling
a rope of thorns through her tongue.  Ouch!

"The King's Library", from the time of King George IV.  The books
have been moved to the British Library and those are just facades.
A beautiful room where unfortunately we spent too little time.

"We want our Mummy!"  The Egypt section was a big hit. 

Boys with their gizmos.  Those things are great.

Ethan enjoying a scone for lunch.

Quite a different lunch scene than the hospital or school cafeterias we usually frequent!

Achilles fights the Amazon Queen.  This is from 540 BC and looks
like it was made yesterday.  Where do they find this stuff!
Photo Credit: Ethan Bolton

There was even a small display with Olympic Medals of the Past and Present.
London is in the grip of Olympic Fever. 

The Lewis Chessman.  About 1000 years old and
one of the earliest complete chess sets known.

"The Mechanical Galleon" ~AD 1585.  Because a simple
bedside alarm clock just won't do for the average German prince.

Everlie had scoped out a good neighborhood park a few blocks away, Coram Fields.  We were the only discernible non-locals, which is always a welcome relief.

The British Library and King's Cross Train Station were not far away so we made a quick trip.  It was hard to pry the boys away from the park after the marathon day in the Museum so we arrived 12 minutes before closing of the Library.  Here's a travel tip:  Do not go to the British Library with only 12 minutes to spare.  It's free, and in one room they have the Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible (you know, the first book printed with movable type!), the Codex Sinaticus (4th century Bible, the earliest complete Greek New Testament), the original Mercator projection maps.  Scott began to whimper when the guard announced "Ladies and Gentleman, this exhibit is now closed."

The British Library-New Building, Old Stuff.

Afterwards, we went down the street to see St. Pancras and King's Cross train stations.  Not because of their great historical value or their architectural uniqueness--but because they are in the Harry Potter novels/ movies!

King's Cross Station even has a Harry Potter Photo-Op set up to
satiate the tourists.  Conveniently located near the information
desk so that the clerk merely has to sigh and say "right over there lady."

 We grabbed some groceries at a "Mini Grocery" in the train station (along with the rest of London who also decided to go during rush hour) and shot home to the flat in 20 minutes (we are getting good at this Subway thing).  The chocolate covered "Digestive Biscuits" were a big hit.  We still have a Pork Pie in the fridge that no one has been brave enough to sample yet.  Fortunately, the British also eat chicken fingers.

Tomorrow we plan on visiting the Olympic Village and just playing around a bit.  One day left before we take the bullet train to Amsterdam.