Amy's sabbatical, Adventures in the UK #5

June 16, 2011

Huw with the statue of Darwin
in the Natural History Museum

We have had pretty good weather so far. It's been cool with a few rain showers here and there. Today it is raining so it seemed like a good day for museums. We make our way on the underground to the science museum. The main entrance to the museum has been blocked due to side walk reconstruction. There is a lot of construction going on in London because they are getting ready for the Olympics in 2012. Our entry into the science museum takes us into the museum of technology. There are displays of old steam engines and old computers (boy were they huge when they were first invented!). There is also a section of the building dedicated to the history of medicine which I thought was fascinating. When the displays got a bit boring we moved over to the hands on section where you can build things with blocks, launch water rockets and enjoy the museum on a more interactive level.

Swans in Hyde Park.

Then on to the museum of natural history, which is just huge. Lots of displays about rocks and the formation of the earth. There was even an earthquake simulator! The mineral and gem stone exhibit was wonderful too, showing off all the colorful minerals found inside the earth. After most of the day inside these two museums, we were pretty museumed out. Plus I think we were all still pretty tired from jet lag and all the hustle and bussle of big city life. So we decided to stroll through Hyde park and just take it easy for a while. We walked to Buckinghan Palace and then down to Victoria station where we ate "bangers and mash" at a traditional English pub called the Kings Arms. Then back to the hotel almost overwhelmed with all the things we saw, tasted and experienced today.