This morning started off with a stroll through the north part of Hyde Park, going east until I reached Marble Arch. It is surprising how few people enjoy the park when it is sunny out.
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| Oxford St |
After taking a peak at a couple stores on Oxford St, it was time to start the journey to the Warner Brother Studios! It was a long process, but easy. Took a tube one way, then another to Euston train station, then a train to Watford Junction.
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| Journeying to HP Studios! |
The first stage set we came upon was the Great Hall. It was so large, with such long tables. There were even props like dishes and bowls that were used, in addition to the costumes.
After this set, we moved into an informational poster session that described all the production team. Then sets like the boys' dormitory, Umbridge's office and the Burrrow with all props as well.
And..animal actors! So perfect. The actual Neapolitan Mastiff that plays Fang was not there, but the one there has an aunt who played Fang. The movie has gone through nine mastiffs as Fang. With all animal actors, three of the same must be present at the same time. Crookshanks was there! And Scabbers. All the animals are trained so well, they learned to go to a piece of wood and sit on it. They started training with a big wood plank, but eventually make it down to the size of a postage stamp.
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| Me + animal actors from Harry Potter! |
Also very interesting were all the small-models of the buildings, and the creative processes that were involved. The set for the castle used to take eight weeks to get ready.
Overall, great time there! Met another solo traveler who lives in New Zealand, but originally from Guangzhou.
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| Scaled-model of Hogwarts; Chess pieces; Great Hall! |
After coming back, I strolled around Oxford St for an hour. Too busy! I wasn't in the mood to shop too much then, but it was nice to see the retailers are not all luxury brands.
I decided to take a London walk, the Old Westminster by Gaslight walk. I really am not a fan of such huge groups. There were maybe 60+ people. The guide had a microphone though, so no issues with hearing.
I enjoyed the later half of the walk more the the first. The first focused on who built what and when. Later on, we walked over to a small residential area that I know I would never see if not for the walk.
Later, we walked to the Thames. Apparently, the river used to be for sewage. The parliament grew tired of its smell, and tried to get rid of it by hanging sheets drenched in lime and Clorox. Didn't work, but within 15 years, a complete sewage system was set up. Now, it is supposedly one of the cleanest rivers in Europe.
Another interesting fact -- pineapples were regarded as a welcome gesture. Which is why pineapples are sometimes featured on buildings.
I met a couple of women from the US, I think Wisconsin. Good chatting with them during the walk.
Now my feet hurt so much...wish there were cheap foot massages around here. Tomorrow will be another eventful day!
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| All around Westminster |
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