The Six Adventure

Get ready for the thrilling conclusion to Birthday Adventure 2024!

This sixth, and final, entry focuses on Six!

That’s right!

The highlight of our final day in London was spending the day and evening delving into the rich history and intriguing stories of six very different, yet intriguing women.

Not sure what I’m talking about? Here’s a helpful rhyme for you:

Yes, we’d booked tickets to see the renowned show SiX: The Musical.

Laura and Maria had missed it when it toured Los Angeles. I was thrilled to experience the show again. I’d seen it in 2019, and the anticipation was just as high this time.

We dedicated the day to immersing ourselves in the world of SiX, including a delightful Sunday Roast fit for royalty.

Following our dinner and a show, we would explore over 300 years of tea-making history at Twinings, a prestigious Royal Warrant Holder.

It’s worth noting that a Royal Warrant of Appointment is a significant mark of recognition granted to individuals or companies who have consistently provided goods or services to the Royal Household.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Our day commenced with an enlightening visit to the National Portrait Gallery.

Here, we engaged in an in-depth exploration of the fascinating lives and legacies of the Six wives of Henry VIII.

The general collection at the National Portrait Gallery can be enjoyed free of charge, making it accessible to everyone. However, the Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens was a special exhibition, complete with a £21 per person entry fee.

The exhibition explores the fascination surrounding these women, delving into the historical and cultural portrayals of Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Katherine Parr. 

The retrospective displays a wide range of artifacts, including ancient paintings, intricate drawings, historical memorabilia, as well as modern photography, costumes, and film representations.

By examining both historical facts and fictional depictions, this exhibition offers an engrossing journey into the lives, legacies, and enduring representations of these six extraordinary women who have significantly influenced English history.

Fortunately, our visit happened to align with the Pay What You Wish timeframe. During this special period, visitors have the option to contribute any amount they desire for their entrance fee. What a great opportunity for people to support the National Portrait Gallery based on their individual means.

Now, my initial thought was ‘I don’t want to pay anything.’ However, the representative was dealing with a lot of impolite people. I was not going to add to her stress. We decided to pay £5 each, which is the standard donation request amount. 

Upon stepping into the exhibit, we were immediately captivated by the striking and evocative portraits adorning the walls. Each item seemed to tell a story.

One item in particular stole my attention. It was a clip from a silent film from 1920, a German historical movie known as Anna Boleyn, or Deception. 

The film was a mesmerizing portrayal of the enigmatic historical figure, and the intricate details and thought-provoking scenes left a lasting impression on me.

You can watch the entire film on YouTube:

We parted ways to spend quality time with our favorite ‘Queen.’

My favorite ‘Queen’ is Anna of Cleves.

I admire her because she is often overlooked in history, as she didn’t have the scandalous reputation of Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, nor was she as esteemed as Katherine of Aragon and Jane Seymour.

She isn’t even considered the one who “survived” — that title goes to Katherine Parr.

I find this anecdote rather amusing because Anna not only survived, she outlived all of Henry’s wives, even living long enough to witness Mary I being crowned Queen of England.

To me, Anna of Cleves was the smartest of the wives. She demonstrated tremendous shrewdness and ingenuity as she navigated the end of her marriage to Henry VIII. 

Recognizing the complexities of her situation, she chose to approach it with wisdom and composure. Instead of engaging in contentious disputes with Henry, knowing this would only lead to destruction, Anna gracefully yielded. In doing so, she secured a favorable ‘annulment’ settlement. Her astute handling of the circumstances showcased her remarkable intelligence and foresight.

Some modern women may argue that Anna’s approach reflects a sense of fear and submission to patriarchal norms.

My perspective is she did what many women never do. She prioritized her own life, security and financial well-being.

Despite being cruelly labeled as ‘the Flanders Mare’ and unfairly judged based on her appearance, Anna defied all expectations and rose triumphantly as the ultimate victor. Her unwavering determination, resilience, and inner strength should earn her the esteemed title of ‘Survivor.’

As we continued our exploration of the Six, Anne Boleyn’s portrait captured our attention with her enigmatic smile and piercing gaze. Knowing her story quite well, we didn’t dwell on it for too long.

However, we knew no visit to the gallery is complete without gazing upon the renowned portrait of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I. The artist’s masterful skill was evident in capturing the queen’s regal countenance and the undeniable aura of power that surrounded her.

Our journey continued as we explored the gallery’s permanent collection. We found ourselves immersed in the captivating primary assemblage, which showcases an extensive and diverse selection of over 12,700 portraits.

Within this remarkable compilation, there are more than 4,100 paintings, sculptures, and miniatures, each exuding its own distinct artistic essence and historical significance. Every piece offers a window into the rich tapestry of human creativity and expression.

GOING ALL-IN 

Lunch was calling. We enjoyed a traditional Sunday Roast at Blacklocks in Covent Garden.

We chose this restaurant because it was only a three-minute walk from the Vaudeville Theatre, where SiX was showing. 

As our hunger grew, we made the exciting decision to go ‘All-In,’ the restaurant’s version of the traditional English Sunday Roast.

For just £26 per person, we were treated to a lavish spread of beef, lamb and pork roasts, served with Yorkshire pudding, duck fat-roast potatoes, a selection of seasonal vegetables and an unsparing amount of Blacklock Gravy.

It was a feast that felt like a steal.

Did you know that the traditional Sunday Roast, a beloved meal deeply ingrained in Britain’s cultural heritage, is thought to have originated in 15th-century England during the reign of King Henry VII?

Yes, this traditional feast traces its lineage back to Henry VIII’s father. How fitting it was to savor this sumptuous repast on a day we explored the fascinating stories of Henry’s wives

The iconic meal typically features features roasted beef, lamb, or chicken, accompanied by roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables, and gravy. It has remained a cherished culinary tradition and a cornerstone of British gastronomy for centuries.

Our decision to go ‘All-In’ was more than just enjoyable, it was deeply satisfying. The tender and succulent meat, bursting with juiciness, complemented the delicious and flavorful veggies. The duck fat-roast potatoes, with their crispy exterior and tender interior, were a true highlight. 

Our tummies were so full, we couldn’t even look at the dessert menu. But I promise, on my next visit, I’ll make sure to leave room for their white chocolate cheesecake.

SiX: THE MUSICAL

The time had come for the main event of the evening. Actually, it was one of the top events of our entire adventure. 

It was time to let loose and enjoy SiX: The Musical. 

Arriving at the main entrance, we joined the queue for our specific seating section, clutching our tickets tightly, eager to step inside. Anticipation mounted as the towering doors swung open, revealing the attendants, resplendent in their black attire, as they emerged to welcome us. 

Something was wrong!

The attendants, instead of carrying professionally printed programs, were distributing hastily made photocopies. As we received one of these copies, it informed us that the scheduled performance had been canceled due to the unfortunate illness of the entire cast.

A sense of disbelief hung heavy in the air before slowly giving way to the disappointment etched on each person’s face.

It was as if time stood still as the weight of the announcement settled in: the highly anticipated show slated for that evening — the one we’d been eagerly looking forward to — was not happening.

Well, that sucks, but not much we can do about it.

We accepted the information and set out to find something else worthwhile, determined to turn this negative into a positive.

After a brief discussion, we discovered there wasn’t anything worthwhile that we wanted to do. By the time we were notified of the SiX cancellation, it was too late to get tickets to another theatre show, and all the museums we wanted to check out were closed.

As we worked to get the exciting day back on track, a notification popped up on my mobile. It informed me that the SiX performance had been canceled. 

Really, you don’t say?

Later, I received an email stating that the cost of the tickets had been refunded. That was a good thing, as other shows may have tried to keep the money and offer a voucher for a future show within a certain time period. 

TEA TO THE RESCUE

The SiX cancellation was a major downer. Nevertheless, London had another wonder that captured our attention. 

We decided to drown our sorrows about the show in tea and headed to Twinings.

Twinings’ flagship store is located at 216 Strand in London. This historic store is recognized as one of the earliest establishments to sell dry tea and coffee. 

Although Laura and Maria prefer coffee, I have always been a tea enthusiast. Twinings, for me, is nothing short of a tea lover’s haven.

In 1706, Thomas Twining acquired ‘Tom’s Coffee House,’ which was located on the Strand, which is positioned at the border between Westminster and the City of London. The decision was a wise one as it was located in the affluent area that emerged after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

On every London adventure, I always make it a point to stop by Twinings because I am absolutely enamored with their wide variety of teas, the charming store ambiance, and the exceptional customer service.

Plus, a box of high-quality, artisanal tea can serve as a ‘thoughtful’ souvenir to present to your coffee-loving colleagues.

Laura and Maria were completely enthralled by the remarkable range of teas available at the tea shop.

As I enjoyed my sample of black tea with sparkling lemonade, I couldn’t help but appreciate the refreshing and crisp infusion, which presented a delightful and innovative twist on a timeless classic.

It was a serene and comforting moment, enveloped in pure enjoyment, offering a welcomed respite from the disappointment of not seeing SiX.

CONCLUSION

Despite the disappointment of the canceled performance, we refused to let it overshadow our day. Instead, we embraced the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of London, immersing ourselves in its rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and experiences.

We returned home the following day, reflecting on Birthday Adventure 2024.

This adventure was filled with many highs, very few lows, and only one true disaster — and that disaster wasn’t the canceled SiX performance.

Although unexpected obstacles arose, I must confess that it was truly one of the most remarkable Birthday Adventures I’ve ever experienced.

Until next time …

HAVE PASSPORT, WILL TRAVEL!