Author Archives: Kim Baumgaertel

Seven thousand lay dead on the bloody field. Harold, King of England, had taken an arrow through his eye. It was the year 1066. And you’re about to read a very long post. But before we get to that — … Continue reading →

Well, dear readers, last night passed without a blog entry.  Did you notice?  No? Is okay. I shall catch up: Yesterday morning we three managed to loll around the flat until Jasper arrived to walk with Jessica to some government … Continue reading →

Some people are constantly aware of the camera.    

Most evenings I sit here on Jessica’s couch, after having had a lovely dinner with my people, and I wonder: what shall I write for the blog tonight? Hmmm…I know; I will ask my people. Me: Jim, what did you … Continue reading →

Dear Your Majesty, Thank you for opening your home to us (and so many others) today. Truly, I can see why you like it so much. Its flying buttresses, crenulated towers, smartly marching guards, and commanding view of the countryside … Continue reading →

Ten highlights (shall we call ’em lowlights?): No tours for us this day. Instead, there was laundry, two cups of coffee, sitting aplenty, and strolling along the river. Also was a walk to the train station for a pasty each.  … Continue reading →

I got to spend Mother’s Day at a shipyard. Well, technically it’s not MD in the UK as theirs is in March, but who cares about that and I like ships. When my daughters were young, they read historical fiction … Continue reading →

This about sums it up, friends: After two weeks of bumming around the UK with and without our native tour guides, Jim and I have settled in. We catch trains. We ride the tube. We drink cappuccinos. We eat pies. … Continue reading →

We two travelers to the British Museum saw many vast and legless visages perched on pedestals this day. Most came from places where lone and level sands stretched far away— Egypt, Assyria, Iraq. We said, “Let’s spend as much time … Continue reading →

Along with hundreds of fellow tourists, we positioned ourselves for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace this morning.  In fact, we nabbed a great spot right in front, at 9:30 — an hour-and-a-half early, per Baumgaertel Time. While … Continue reading →