Recap: Springtime in London

June 2013. I’ve been living in London for a year and a half now, the longest amount of time I’ve ever lived outside of the United States. As I reflect back on this past spring, I’ve considered the unique experiences I’ve had as a result of living in London.  There have been so many remarkable activities (which I’ll discuss in more detail below), with only one major obvious disappointment….

The weather!

I became a believer in “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” and would not be the least surprised if it originated in London. Ongoing dreary weather in recent months made it feel like one continuous never-ending season of gloom.  As a result, CLIMATE will now be a major factor for us in deciding our future choice of residency.

On the other hand, during those sunny days….wow! The city resembles an energizer bunny. There is an obvious increase in the amount of people who smile, and likewise a decrease of  grouchy people within the busy streets and tube stations.

In May, on a day when the temperature was only 60 degrees but filled with sun, I was shocked to see the amount of people laying out in bathing suits and tank tops in Hyde Park. Made me shiver as I looked at them, but I don’t think they cared as long as their bodies absorbed as much sun as possible…

Then there’s the pubs. On a normal day, the crowds overflow outside of the pub doors, but on sunny days,  the overflow rate reaches a new high, often making it difficult for drivers to get by as the people outpour onto the road.

A Spring filled with lots of great activities:

1. Castle visit in the English countryside 

In the US, it would be impossible to visit castles dating back to the 13th century (before the U.S. was even discovered!)

I’ve read somewhere there are over 180 castles in Great Britain. Knowing that, I doubt I’ll get to visit every one of them during the time I live in London, but when possible, we often make it a stop on our trips to the English countryside.

Hever Castle – the childhood home of Anne Boleyn

In April, we decided to take a day trip to Hever Castle.  The journey was half the fun; from the train station we had to follow a one-mile public footpath through the rural countryside to reach the castle. Due to the frequent London rain, the dirt path had turned into a mud pit.  Throughout the route we had to:

Grasp tree branches as we maneuvered to avoid the sinking mud –

Climb up and over wooden fences –

and walk through the center of large fields of sheep –

all while we carefully avoided the barb-wired fences on both sides of the narrow footpath (fences that private owners install to keep people away from their private country homes). Upon arrival at the castle, we toured the interior and the gardens and were fascinated by all the well-preserved furniture and architecture. After the tour, we enjoyed a pub lunch outside at the fitting “King Henry VIII” pub next to the castle. All in all, a unique English experience.

2. The London Marathon

On April 21, 2013, we awoke to a flurry of activity. From our flat window, we could see a band setting up in the middle of the street and our local pub was already opening its doors at 9am.

A short walk to the corner of Tooley street gave us the ideal viewing platform for the 12 mile point of the race.  We joined the other spectators and watched the race leaders pass, then followed the marathon route forward and walked over the Tower Bridge to see more. What a beautiful sight! The whole city was outside.

London Marathon 2013. Runners crossing over the Tower Bridge near to the 13 mile halfway point

3. A Royal Palace Tour

Recently, my friend and I spent an afternoon at Hampton Court Palace. Characters playing Henry VIII and his wives often appeared throughout the palace, and encouraged visitors to imagine a time when the Palace was occupied. Historical buffs could easily have spent a full day touring and reading about all the history that took place inside.  I, on the other hand, managed to stretch out my stay for about 2 and a half hours only, but it was enough time to learn more about the historic British royalty and gain a glimpse of the wealth and glamour of their palaces.

3. My first experience watching a National Tennis championship on a grass court

I didn’t know the Aegon tennis championships existed until the week of the tournament when I learned it’s one of ATP World Tour event stops. Luckily I managed to secure a last minute grounds admission ticket to the event, which gave me access to the two side courts.  So, on a random Thursday afternoon, I hopped off at the Baron’s Court tube stop in West London and went to the tennis match by myself. And I loved it!

Entrance to the courts, on a narrow street in the middle of a busy West London neighborhood

In a front row seat, I had the most perfect view I’ve ever had of professional tennis (for $30), while I watched Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Sam Querrey of the U.S. play a 3 set match.

4. Visits from friends and family

We were lucky to have so many friends and family make the trip over to London this year. In March, our friends visited from Harrisburg, PA. This was their first time in London, and I was proud that I was a competent tour guide in leading us to all the major destinations. Next came friends from North Carolina – my previous college roommate and her husband. This was the most amount of time we were able to spend with each other since sharing an apartment in college, which sadly was over 12 years ago.

At the end of April, my grandparents visited us in London (see my previous post.), one of my most treasured experiences!  I’m happy to know that my husband and I succeeded in flying my grandparents over and encouraging them to make the journey. My Nana is 80 years old and this trip marked her first time out of the United States.

So though I do complain sometimes, life in London is good. I will be proactive in seeking out new experiences at every chance.  When you’re living abroad, you can’t lose sight of the opportunities you have right in front of you!