Yesterday I went on the Harry Potter Studio tour. Warner Brothers have filled two lots with costumes, sets, props, and models from the movies. Everything you see is the "real thing." I feel like the pictures speak for themselves, but for those Muggles I'll include captions.

In front of Dumbledore's office with Addison and Jessica.

Harry's cupboard under the stairs.

The Great Hall. Many people think the Great Hall is at Oxford, but it's not. The Great Hall in the movies was designed after the one at Christ Church in Oxford, but never filmed there.

Alan Rickman (Snape) is a method actor and felt that his character would not care about clothes or fashion so he refused to let his costume be updated or changed in the movies. He wears pretty much the same thing in all of them.

They created all the books that are mention in the Harry Potter series to be used in the classroom scenes.

The letters that changed Harry's life.

The Black Family tree. It was made by hand and has the appropriate people burned off.

The bridge

The model of Hogwarts is a spectacular display of craftsmanship. It fills a large room and has exquisite detail. This picture makes it look small, but it's quite large.

I included this picture so you can see how large the castle is compared to the people looking at it.

Flying the Weasley car

For one brief shining moment, I got to play Quidditch. I'm so happy!

Last week I went to Normandy on a field trip. We looked at sights that were connected to the Norman Conquest.

Abbey au Dames where Matilda (William the Conqueror's wife is burried).

Abbey au Dames

Jumiege (a ruined abbey/monastery)

Jumiege

Jumiege

Jumiege

Jumiege is located in the beautiful Normandy countryside.

Mont St. Michel - the inspiration for Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings. Also the castle in Tangled.

Mont St. Michel with Janel and Abby

The cathedral on the top of Mont St. Michel

 

Walking the narrow streets of Mont St. Michel is a cross between Diagon Alley and Fantasyland.

The garden in the monastery. There are still monks and nuns there today.

Everyone should visit at least once. One of the most amazing places I've ever been.

After the Normandy trip I finally got to the Temple with my ward. I know it's called the London Temple, but it's not in London it's in Surrey which is a good hour and a half away.

Hooray for Autumn colors. Part of the Temple grounds.

The Temple some of the best landscaping I've ever seen.

On Saturday I went to Harrods with some friends. Just to give you an idea of how expensive things are, take a peak at the menu from one of the "cheaper" cafes.

Yes, a burger costs about $128.00! In their defense it's supposed to be really big.

On the Toy Store floor we found Pooh and couldn't resist. The chair is meant for very small children, but aren't we all kids inside?

The best part was standing in line to see Father Christmas. He is not fat like Santa and does not wear a suit. It's more of a robe. He wrote our names in his special book, gave us a check if we were good, wrote our ages (he changed mine to 7) and what we wanted for Christmas. It was worth standing in line will all the little kids and their parents who thought we were a bit odd. That may have been because we were singing Christmas songs.

In case you were wondering, Mrs Clause is called Mrs. Christmas in England. Santa is Father Christmas.