Final words: the list

You know you are finally decompressed from vacation when you can't quite remember the order in which you visited places--and even lose track of a few of the highlights. So, just to wrap things up, here's my abbreviated list (and comments thereon) of our UK experience, not necessarily in sequence:

• Trafalgar Square--where the buskers reign, along with those dressed-up figures that appeared to be floating. Best one of these was the guy who impersonated Magritte's painting of the headless man in suit and derby.
• National Portrait Gallery--Shakespeare, Jonson, Fletcher, Queen Elizabeth..
• Churchill's War Rooms--WWII experience
• St. James Park--lovely
• Pall Mall area--the ultimate shopping experience
• Courtald Gallery--best Impressionist experience, in a lovely, small (and unadvertised) museum.
• London Transportation Museum--guaranteed to amuse children indefinitely
• Covent Garden Market--ditto for adults; tea and music
• St. Paul's--history, religion and a beautiful church
• Westminster Abbey-- Poet's Corner. And as if that were not enough, Elizabeth and Mary Tudor, (and Mary, Queen of Scots nearby), together for eternity.
• Millennium Bridge--views up and down the Thames
• The Globe Theater--an icon; visual reinforcement of all you thought you knew about Shakespeare's theater
• Thames Cruise--best way to see the city and many of its landmarks: Tower Bridge, Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind, the Globe, the London Eye
• Fortnum & Mason's--not to buy or have tea, but just to look at the goods available at outrageous prices.
• The Banqueting Hall--Rubens on the ceiling, stirring story of Charles I
• The College of Arms--who knew there was an office (and a court!) for heraldry disputes and questions? Since 1555..and it's open to the public.
• the British Museum--innumerable fun things to do and see, and I didn't even get to the Egyptian artifacts or the Elgin Marbles!
• the British Library--from the cool iron graphic at the entrance, to the wonder-full (literally) room with the treasures of the library--a joy to visit. 

Scotland:

• Dundee--Discovery, Verdant Works, Broughty Ferry, pubs, bakeries, butcher shops, the McManus, the Unicorn, the University, the art...
• Stirling Castle--incomparable! even in the rain.
• St. Andrew's--the ruins, the views, the beach, the old course...
• the distillery: how they actually make Scotch
• sheep--everywhere
• haggis--much better than you might imagine

I am sure I've omitted any number of things, and if I remember a particular favorite, I may expound on it later, but...for now, I am closing the door and moving on. It was a great trip.

***Can't believe I forgot the Children's Museum in Dundee: a great little museum with lots of interesting (and educational) stuff for kids to do. And Battersea Park in London (tho that might be a more 'kid-friendly' item than it is for adults.)