English Roses

Today was our last free day and I spent it doing some pretty typical London things. For starters we went to Regents Park and enjoyed the really warm day. The Queen’s Garden was jam packed with roses named Gorgeous, the Smiling Rose, and many more. There was a good amount of people milling around and enjoying the warm weather. Afterwards we ventured back to Covent Gardens, a vivacious and lively couple of streets involving many places to eat, shop and see street performers. We saw puppet shows and heard opera. One man was selling handmade carved wood roses in little vases. I had the opportunity to talk to him and he asked where we were from. I told him Minnesota and his eyes lit up and he said “I’ve been there! That’s where the State Fair is!” He then went on to excitedly mention the “Birth Room” (Miracle of Birth Barn) and all the good food he ate while there. He also mentioned the spoon thing (Cherry and the Spoon at Walker Art Garden). It was so fun to talk to someone who not only knew what Minnesota was but had actually been there! Afterwards I joined some friends for a pub run and tried a drink called Franklin and Sons Scottish Raspberry. It was established in the late 1880’s which reminded me of how almost every business here has been around for at least 100 years. It shows the longevity and history of this country, that businesses are generally family run and go on for generations. It was a lovely day in true English fashion.