Wednesday Wind Up

A quick recap (mostly photos) of what I've been up to this past week. As you may recall, I was at  loss for what to do once I arrived.  Then I remembered one of the things that I love most about London - the walks.  So I have been taking lots of long walks around my neighborhood, including Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Battersea Park.

On Friday I took a trip to the National Portrait Gallery to see George Catlin's Native American Portraits (of particular interest as I just read David McCullough's The Greater Journey).

Followed by tea in the Gallery's restaurant, situated on the top floor with stunning views

From that view, I spied a lovely looking rooftop spot nearby, and since the sun was shining for the first time since my arrival, I made my way to the Trafalgar Hotel's Vista - it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

After attending Trooping the Colour on Saturday, I went to the Royal Albert Hall to see Swan Lake that evening.  The Hall is stunning and the performance was wonderful.

After a week of playing tourist, it was time to get started at school.  I am taking courses at the London School of Photography, and after only two days, I am really enjoying it and getting used to using my camera in fully manual mode (no more automatic!)

On Tuesday, I was learning to play with shutter speeds to freeze movement - many thanks to my model Ducky for his/her assistance in splashing about (if you want to see the detail of the water drops, click on the photo and zoom in).

And finally, below is one of my homework assignments - I promise I am not actually standing in the middle of traffic!

After about a week and half, there have been good days, not-so-good days, rainy days, and clearly some sunny ones  too.  I have stopped having massive anxiety every time I cross the street (do I look left, then right? Right, then left? why is there never a cross walk - zebra crossing - where it should be!?! Are those cars going to stop?) and become reacquainted with the Tube  - I must say, it is so nice to be in a city with a first rate (first world) transportation system.  Granted, I may get flattened by one of those buses or cabs, but compared to DC, they are practically luxe.