Back to London......

We returned to London and visited Harrow on the Hill before returning our rented car. We parked right outside the school near the top of the hill and looked out at the view over the Weald where Byron sat and wrote his poetry; St Mary's Church has same flint stones set in walls like at other villages we stopped at; The Library and Headmaster's House impressive. There has been a school on the site since 1243 and the present buildings from it's foundation in 1572 were finished in 1610 - 'revamped' also more recently - 1820! 8 English PM's 'gone through  it'.
We stayed the weekend with Warren's second/third cousin Richard. On Saturday Richard took us to Cambridge via the old market village of Ashwell where the church has the graffiti from the plague on the wall! There is a decorative list of Vicars who have served there - FROM 1218!!!!!!More  houses with thatched roofs!
Richard attended St Catherine's College in Cambridge. SO BUSY, COLD! there - people everywhere!!! Markets in the Square; few punting down the River Cam; walked through Kings and Trinity Colleges. We had lunch at The Green Man pub in Grantchester - didn't see Jeffery Archer but did see his HOUSE - The Old Vicarage with numerous black statures scattered around grounds!

On our last night in London we went to an organ recital in Westminster Abbey - organist from Bradford Cathedral. The Abbey incredible inside - so HIGH, wide, ornate. Coronation Chair one of George's had made from oak (100's years old) still used for all coronations. It has a stone set in it that was given to George by the Scottish. It stays in Scotland until a coronation.

We then walked down Oxford and Regent Streets and saw the Christmas lights.
Also went to Covent Garden to see the Christmas tree and BIG red bauble decorations hanging from the market stalls' roof; and young would-be opera singer entertaining in an outside cafe - she had  a beautiful voice!
All in all 17 wonderful days in England!
(Last photo is Harrow again - Headmaster's House - out of place!)