We took a local bus to Hampton Court on The Thames. It wasn't far from Twickenham and we really enjoy traveling with the locals and seeing the little towns along the way. This palace was a favorite of King Henry VIII. The day we arrived actors were re-enacting the wedding day of Henry and Kathryn Parr, his 6th and final wife. This was also the home of William of Orange, who's actions began the Troubles in Ireland.
This is an interior courtyard near the kitchens. The wear on the bricks was amazing to see.
I wish that I had stood in the hearth to give it the perspective needed. The curators have done a good job with sound and smell effects.
We were joined in the courtyard by Henry VIII. The gentleman who portrayed him was excellent. Several school children who were there asked him questions, some quite difficult to explain. His answers were very much in character. I have read a lot about Henry VIII and finally got an explanation that made sense for why a male heir was so important.
We found Henry in the Clock Court, named for this ornate timepiece which he had installed. He was very interested in science.
This actor was playing Jane Seymour's brother, a rather self-absorbed poppinjay who claimed to be in love with Kateryn Parr.
Here is Kateryn Parr in her wedding finery. We watched her don the top several layers required for dress of that day. I now realize how they could have such elaborate looking gowns with limited sewing technology.
This is part of the beautiful and well-tended formal gardens behind the castle. We thought of Brent when we saw these.
Some more of the formal garden. There was also a fun little garden shop with beautifully crafted ornamental gardening tools, scented soaps, gardening how-to books, and more. The bus ride home was the perfect ending to our trip. There were six middle-school girls sitting near us going through their drama. It was the perfect way to celebrate 2 years of retirement.
We took a local bus to Hampton Court on The Thames. It wasn't far from Twickenham and we really enjoy traveling with the locals and seeing the little towns along the way. This palace was a favorite of King Henry VIII. The day we arrived actors were re-enacting the wedding day of Henry and Kathryn Parr, his 6th and final wife. This was also the home of William of Orange, who's actions began the Troubles in Ireland.
This is an interior courtyard near the kitchens. The wear on the bricks was amazing to see.
I wish that I had stood in the hearth to give it the perspective needed. The curators have done a good job with sound and smell effects.
We were joined in the courtyard by Henry VIII. The gentleman who portrayed him was excellent. Several school children who were there asked him questions, some quite difficult to explain. His answers were very much in character. I have read a lot about Henry VIII and finally got an explanation that made sense for why a male heir was so important.
We found Henry in the Clock Court, named for this ornate timepiece which he had installed. He was very interested in science.
This actor was playing Jane Seymour's brother, a rather self-absorbed poppinjay who claimed to be in love with Kateryn Parr.
Here is Kateryn Parr in her wedding finery. We watched her don the top several layers required for dress of that day. I now realize how they could have such elaborate looking gowns with limited sewing technology.
This is part of the beautiful and well-tended formal gardens behind the castle. We thought of Brent when we saw these.
Some more of the formal garden. There was also a fun little garden shop with beautifully crafted ornamental gardening tools, scented soaps, gardening how-to books, and more. The bus ride home was the perfect ending to our trip. There were six middle-school girls sitting near us going through their drama. It was the perfect way to celebrate 2 years of retirement. 
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