May 2022
It was really nice to have mom come out and visit me in London before I move to South Korea in July.
A military parade announced her arrival at, while also preparing for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
We had a lovely walk through St. James park.
The Natural History Museum is excellent. Fascinating to see the skeleton of the world’s largest living animal, the blue whale.
The Cutty Sark at Greenwich is one of the last merchant ships that used sails before steam power took over in the mid/late 19th century.
We rode an Uber boat under Tower Bridge, not to be confused with London Bridge.
Spent a morning feasting and antiquing on Portobello road.
The British Museum is also excellent. London has many of the best museums in the world and most of them are free. While taking artifacts from their rightful origins does warrant criticism, it is also worth valuing that these artifacts are protected and freely accessible to visitors.
A whole lot of history in this museum.
Lovely view by the Royal Observatory overlooking Greenwich Park, the National Maritime Museum, and Queen’s House. Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were born at Greenwich Palace which once stood in view here.
We swung by the Painted Hall while walking across campus. 
Filming on campus again. I can see why. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Had a great dinner before seeing a Wicked show. 
Wicked was wonderful. 
From London we took a day trip up to the University of Oxford.
Keble College at Oxford. The University of Oxford is comprised of 39 colleges.
Delivered a family heirloom to a family friend who is a lecturer there.
Incredible artifacts in University of Oxford’s Natural History Museum. Turns out lectures at Oxford are pretty smart.
I definitely got smarter here.
From Oxford we went to York. This is the original York before New Amsterdam became New York.
Lovely day. According to the weather report, it is raining right now.
York Castle was originally built by the Normans under William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
View atop York Castle.
Painting the picnic tables is a nice touch.
York is a nice little city for history and shopping.
Centuries old meeting house.
The traveling Van Gogh exhibition is phenomenal. It is a great use of new technology to display old art.
We climbed to the top of York Minster.
To get a great view of York.
If you have to pose while they carve you into stone, might as well get comfortable.
Nice place to picnic.
Rescued birds of prey.
Saw a little live music, she was great on the violin.
From York, England we headed to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Home of Adam Smith, an 18th century economist who paved the foundation for the free market economy.
Ede & Ravenscroft has Kingsman vibes.
Edinburgh Castle.
Such an attractive city, one of my favorites for sure.
Full Scottish breakfast, haggis and all. I just did a little research and found out haggis is sheep liver, heart, and lungs. That sounds pretty gross, but I am glad I tried it and enjoyed it.
Needed that haggis as fuel to hike up Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano in the heart of Edinburgh.
Scotland has gorgeous land.
Stumbled across a witch shop. Wicca is pretty popular in the UK.
Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Palace are at the base of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle is at the top.
My name is Colin Campbell Knox Secor. Campbell and Knox are both Scottish.
We took a day trip an hour west to Glasgow.
The Kelvingrove Museum is pretty on the outside and on the inside.
We spent our final morning in Edinburgh at Holyrood Palace. This is where the Royals stay when they visit Edinburgh. William and Kate were there, but we did not see them.
They had a great exhibit of shared art from Buckingham Palace. It was the first time this art was shared with the public.
On our way to the train station, we walked the Scotsman Steps. These are 104 steps, each made of a different piece of marble from around the world.
Back in London for one last day before mom leaves. This is my dorm room, Devonport House, at the University of Greenwich next to Greenwich Park and the National Maritime museum.
This is how I lived this past year. I like to live simply and do awesome things.
Picked up some treats for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Really, I just wanted the tins.
The National Maritime Museum is another excellent free museum in London. Much of Britain’s success was a result of endeavors by the Royal Navy and sea faring merchants.
It was a great trip with Mom.
It was a Marvelous trip!
I’ll travel anywhere with you, Colin.
Thank you for all of your thoughtful touches, especially for American Mother’s Day.
The foot massage at The Grand, was just what I needed after all that walking, hiking and stairs!!!
See you soon back home.
Love you.
Mom