J in the UK

My youngest is off on his adventure - university in the UK.  I went along with him to London, we got over jetlag, checked out some sites, before sending him on the school airport pick-up bus to his campus. I miss him quite a bit and I imagine the gray, drippy skies there are a bit of an adjustment too.

The Rosetta Stone. Because if you're in London,
you have to go to the British Museum (it's free).
And if you're in the British Museum, you have
to see the Rosetta Stone.

The Lewis Chessmen.  J was less interested in the
chessman as he was in that little belt buckle.  It was
one of the 5 things he said he would steal from the
museum if he had the chance.

This was another of the 5 items J said he would
steal. Especially the $50billion note in the corner.

We always find this guy (on the left) too.  He's
on loan from Jordan.  I believe he's the only thing
on loan to the BM. Everything else is
"permanently rescued."

We added in a couple escape rooms.  Room one was a success.

Room 2, well, we needed another minute. In each room we asked
for 2 hints.  Not bad.

No photo by the lions this time.

The next day we went to the National Gallery
and found The Ambassadors - from the top right.

A painting of a love goddess.  But all the images
in the back were miserable.

A giant painting, and the artist took the time to
add in this chained monkey, but didn't even finish the
background. Hmph.

The full image is of 2 martyrs. The body attached
to this leg is pierced with a bunch of arrows. But
the bigger question: Who are these miniature people?

During one walk we went through St James Park
and came across the pelicans.

And an adorable cygnet.

Can you really go to London and not see a show?
I guess it's allowed, but why? J has now seen
"The Book of Mormon" and actually laughed
out loud.

And then it was time to say goodbye.

But he allowed a farewell selfie. Does he look
like a college fresher??

Amazon.uk delivers.

One of his first projects.  Building a board game.

It's cloudy and drippy, but he says the leaves are turning.

School didn't start until 3 October so I had a long summer with him, but it does mean that he started school just as the weather was turning blech. The year finishes end of June, so hopefully he'll have some nice days in there to wander the campus grounds without getting soggy.

All in all, so glad to see him a little bit settled.  He's not much for communicating, but he's sharing some glimpses and it's nice to know he's not starving and he's going to class. 

It's all a mom can hope for.