Jennifer McCue

On Saturday afternoon in early November, Norah and Maya made vision boards together and watched "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" after both reading the book. We also took Maya to get "macalatos" (gelato in between two macarons) at Ice Cream Social--delicious!

On November 12, Russ and I boarded a plane to London—it feels almost like a dream now. I can’t believe how fortunate we were to go; I loved every moment of it! We arrived in the late afternoon on November 13 and checked into our hotel in the Bloomsbury area before heading out to explore Russell Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly, and Bloomsbury. We wandered through the shops and Christmas markets and ended the evening with fish and chips for dinner and a hot chocolate.

We got up early the next morning and headed to the Tower of London. I had originally planned to spend about two hours there, but there was so much to see that we stayed for nearly six hours. I could have stayed all day—I wanted to soak in every detail. We had lunch at a café at the Tower before heading to the British Museum in the late afternoon. That evening, we met Jonny, Amber, and her girls for dinner, then returned to the British Museum to see a few more exhibits before it closed—there was simply so much to take in. (At the Tower of London with Tower Bridge in the background.)

In front of the White Tower. Originally built as a timber fortification by William I in 1066, the current building was constructed around 1075-79. William I crowned himself King of England at the Tower of London on Christmas Day in 1066.

The site where Anne Boleyn was beheaded.

It was raining, so the Yeoman were not offering tours. We stopped to chat with one of them for a few minutes, and he was very friendly. All of the Yeoman live on the grounds, and to become a Yeoman of the Guard, one must have at least 20 years of military service.

There are many carvings on the walls within the tower from prisoners who were held there.

A remaining piece of an early Roman building. The Tower of London was built on the foundation of a Roman fortification.

Helmet from the Sutton Hoo ship burial site at the British Museum.

The Dunstable Swan Jewel, worn by knights to demonstrate their descent from Arthurian knights.

"The Fishpool Hoard" - A collection of medieval coins discovered in Nottinghamshire, England. It was buried in the late fifteenth century, likely during the Wars of the Roses. The hoard was probably buried in haste at some point between winter 1463 and summer 1464, perhaps by someone feeling after the Battle of Hexham in May 1464.

The Reading Room in the British Museum is a circular room with a beautiful high domed ceiling and rows of books and desks. Many famous literary figures, including Karl Marx, Virginia Woolf, and Charles Dickens, studied and wrote there.

The Rosetta Stone.

The next morning, November 15th, we caught the 7:00 am Eurostar train to Paris.

We checked into our hotel and had lunch at a quaint little café, where we enjoyed delicious sweet and savoury crêpes. It felt exactly like the Parisian cafés I had imagined—small tables, checkered tablecloths, warm light, and lots of art on the walls.

Then we walked over to Notre Dame and the Shakespeare and Company bookshop before heading to the Louvre Museum for our timed entry at 3:30 pm.

It was pouring rain while we waited in line.

I know many people find the Mona Lisa underwhelming, but I was completely captivated by her. There is something truly incredible about her presence—the painting radiates a quiet, almost magnetic power. I ignored the crowd around me and connected with the painting. Her gaze felt so direct and intimate; it felt like she was looking straight into my soul. I felt emotional and filled with extreme gratitude to be standing in the same room as that historical painting.

Venus de Milo was so beautiful.

The Louvre building is incredible in its own right. Its architectural beauty and rich history are fascinating. The floors and ceilings are elaborately designed and elegant, creating an ornate space that is simply breathtaking.

We could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance as we walked from the Louvre toward the Champ de Mars.

We ate dinner on the patio of a charming café, and we could see the Eiffel Tower from our table. It was completely enchanting. The atmosphere with the pink and white striped awning, pink florals, wreaths, Christmas lights, and the sparkling Eiffel Tower was magical. The food was equally delicious.

The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour, and we arrived at its base just as the lights began to dance. It was stunning from a distance, but when we turned the corner and stood beneath it, it took my breath away. I was deeply moved and completely in awe as I took it all in. I can see why this iconic structure has captivated so many. Experiencing it for the first time, with the lights sparkling above, was a moment I will never forget. We admired the tower for a long time and eventually decided that we should take the elevator to the top.

More magic as we looked out over Paris at night from the top of the Eiffel Tower. I could hardly believe I was really there, taking in the glittering city below. I felt incredibly grateful to be experiencing it all.

We slept in a little the next morning and then made our way to Notre Dame. The line to enter was long, but we decided to wait, and after about an hour, we were inside—it was well worth it. The cathedral was ornately beautiful and inspiring, and we happened to be there during Mass, which added so much to the experience: the scent of incense, the sound of the choir singing, and the rhythm of the prayers made it feel especially moving.

Later in the afternoon, we went to Trocadero to take some photos of the Eiffel Tower.

Then we walked to the Arc de Triomphe, and we walked down the Champs Élysées. They had the street closed to set up for a festival, so we were able to walk down the middle of the street and admire the sights.

We had lunch at a café on the Champs-Élysées and then discovered a pâtisserie called Butterfly. It felt like stepping into a high-end jewelry store. The woman behind the counter carefully removed each dessert from the glass case, and presented it with a romantic description; each one looked exquisite, topped with delicate gold leaf. We chose a hazelnut cake and a flan and took them to the Tuileries Garden to enjoy by the pond. They were delicious!! After wandering through the gardens for a while, we made our way to the train station and headed back to London.

The next morning, we got up early and headed to Westminster Abbey, another breathtaking cathedral steeped in history. I loved visiting Poets’ Corner, where so many great writers are buried and memorialized, including Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Another highlight for me was Henry VII’s Lady Chapel and the tombs of so many monarchs, including Henry V and Elizabeth I. The sense of history and reverence throughout the Abbey was overwhelming. We also really enjoyed visiting the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, located on the upper level of the Abbey. The galleries display a range of historical treasures, including medieval effigies once used in royal funerals.

In the afternoon, we walked over to Buckingham Palace. We learned that there is a Canada Gate across from the Palace at the entrance to Green Park. Canada Gate was installed in the early twentieth century as part of the memorial to Queen Victoria. It was a gift from Canada, marking its contribution to the British Empire at the time. The metalwork features the crests of the Canadian provinces.

After Buckingham Palace, we went to the Tate Britain Museum. I was so excited to see "The Lady of Shalott" and "Ophelia" paintings.

We walked across London Bridge, past the Borough Market, and found the current Globe Theatre as well as the site of the original theatre. We also found the ruins of Winchester Palace and remains from the original London Bridge behind the St. Magnus the Martyr Church.

After our walk, we went to Southwark Cathedral to hear a lecture by Dan Jones on Henry V. I was so excited about this, and I loved the live lecture and discussion. Afterward, I was able to meet Dan. I bought his book, and he signed it for me.

We met Jenny-Lynn and Gord at the train station later that night and took the train with them back to their house in Virginia Water. The next morning, Jenny-Lynn took us to Oxford. We visited Blackwell's bookshop and enjoyed a walking tour around the city with Jenny-Lynn. Then Russ and I did a tour of Christ Church College. We toured the grand quads, historic halls, and the cathedral. The architecture is stunning. We learned about the college’s many famous alumni and literary connections.

We also stopped in at the Weston Library's special collections display with rare books, manuscripts, maps, and printed ephemera. They even had a piece of the Magna Carta document—the scroll had been stored unsafely for years and now has holes where a rat chewed straight through it. What a privilege to be in the presence of these historic texts.

The dining hall at Christ Church College.

The staircase used in the Harry Potter films.

Christ Church Cathedral.

The next morning, we caught an early train and headed to York.

When we arrived in York, we ate lunch at the Whippet Inn.

Then we walked the medieval city walls. They are the longest town walls in England. We found the cutest coffee shop, Gatehouse Coffee, built right into the medieval walls, so we stopped for a hot chocolate.

We met Jonny at the York Minster after his convocation. It was so nice to be there with him. We gathered for some photos in front of the Minster.

It was a cold but beautiful evening. The sunset over the York Minster was breathtaking.

Later that evening, we made a quiet pilgrimage to a small village pub in Tholthorpe, where my grandfather was stationed during World War II. A modest monument to his squadron stood outside, and photos of the aircrews lined the walls. Standing in the small pub and chatting with the locals about the history of the place was unexpectedly emotional and sacred, a moment where time and connection felt both fragile and immense.

A sweet dog and one of the regulars at the "New Inn Pub."

The pub was so warm and cozy, with a homey, inviting atmosphere, and the food was delicious—the onion rings were the best Russ has ever tasted.

The memorial to the British and Canadian air crews stationed in Tholthorpe during World War II. My grandpa served in No. 420 “Snowy Owl” Squadron. It felt so moving and important to be there.

There was a light snowfall the next morning. Josh came with us to explore Clifford's Tower, the hilltop remnant of York Castle. Built by William the Conqueror, it served as both a royal fortress and a prison. Inside, narrow spiral staircases lead to the upper level—only recently opened to the public—where you can step outside at the top of the tower and take in sweeping views of the city.

After Clifford’s Tower, Russ and I visited the York Castle Museum. The museum features exhibits showing different aspects of life in York over the centuries. You can also explore the old prison cells and learn about the harsh conditions and the people who were held there.

The Shambles in York. A narrow medieval street lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings, many dating back to the 14th century. Down the middle of the road runs a narrow channel, originally designed to carry away waste and blood from the butcher shops that once lined the street. We loved exploring all of the cute boutique shops in the Shambles. There were a couple of Harry Potter stores and the York Ghost Merchants shop, which was really popular.

A crowd lined up to go into the York Ghost Merchants' shop.

After strolling through the Shambles, we explored the York Christmas markets. Eldon and Alistair joined us, and then we all attended evensong at York Minster—a lovely way to experience the cathedral, with beautiful choral music and the glow of candlelight. Afterward, we grabbed a quick dinner with Eldon at the York Roast Co. (we ate turkey in Yorkshire pudding wraps or bowls), before catching the train back to Virginia Water.

The next morning, Jenny-Lynn dropped us off at Hampton Court. I think I was most excited to visit this Tudor palace because of its connection to Henry VIII—it was one of his favorite royal residences. The palace’s stunning architecture features ornate brickwork, grand courtyards, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The inside of the palace has several pieces of historic artwork, gold-threaded tapestries, and important historical documents. It was a real thrill to be there and experience such a remarkable piece of history.

Henry VIII's kitchen.

The Georgian Era section of the palace.

Henry VIII's chapel. The detail on the ceiling was stunning.

This recently discovered antique carved wooden bird, identified as Anne Boleyn’s heraldic emblem—the falcon—likely once adorned her private apartments at Hampton Court.

After Hampton Court, Jenny-Lynn dropped us off at Windsor Castle. It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. William the Conqueror originally built the castle as a fortress. I love the round towers and crenellated stone walls. The inside of the castle is filled with royal art, ceremonial rooms, armor, historic tapestries, and royal objects. I also loved visiting St. George’s Chapel, within the castle grounds. The tombs of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Charlotte were particularly moving. St. George's Chapel is also where Henry VIII is buried next to Jane Seymour.

We stayed until the castle closed, then we wandered around the nearby shops and got some hot chocolate before heading into London with Jenny-Lynn to see the musical "SIX." It is a high-energy pop musical with a cast of six—all of Henry VIII's wives. The women tell their own story through bold, contemporary music. I loved that the cast and the band were all women. The musical combines history with humor, music, and empowerment and turns the Tudor queens into pop icons in a fast-paced concert-style performance. I loved it!!

The next day, we headed into London again. We visited the Victoria and Albert Museum with Jenny-Lynn before going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The show was magical and included very cool special effects—spells, time travel, and magical transformations. The play was excellent and the acting was impeccable. It is a two-part play, with each part running about 2.5 hours, so watching both parts made for a five-hour theatrical experience with a two-hour break in between. During the break, we visited the National Portrait Gallery, a perfect place to wander and stay out of the rain, and we grabbed dinner at the museum café.

The only known artwork of Henry VIII's Nonsuch Palace.

Elizabeth I at the National Portrait Gallery.

The next morning, we went to church with Gord and Jenny-Lynn before driving to Winchester to tour the stunning cathedral. This massive medieval cathedral is famous for its Gothic architecture, long nave, beautiful stained glass, and detailed stonework. It's also where Jane Austen is buried. I loved the Tudor decorative woodwork and fan-vaulted ceilings.

The crypt beneath the cathedral floor.

After visiting Winchester, we all went to Jane Austen's house in Chawton. It is a charming 17th-century cottage where she spent the last eight years of her life and wrote or revised many of her famous novels. You can wander through the house and see her personal belongings, including quilts and original manuscripts. The original wallpaper has also been recreated with traces of the original framed on the wall. I loved all of the unique and historical details throughout the house and the warm, cozy feel.

A piano music book handcopied by Jane Austen.

Jane Austen's writing desk.

The wallpaper.

We spent a few minutes walking around the beautiful Royal Holloway University, and then Jenny-Lynn dropped us off at the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. It was a lovely morning with a slight mist in the air. We enjoyed a long walk together in the park before Jenny-Lynn dropped us off at the airport to fly home. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to experience the history, the beauty, the connection, and the quiet emotional depth I felt in these places. I loved it all!

It was parent-watching day at ballet while we were gone. Fortunately, Naomi and Paisley were able to go and take some photos for us. I love watching Norah dance.