An Afternoon at Hampton Court

Henry VIII certainly knew how to make a fine palace.  Perhaps it should not have been a surprise that the entire complex seemed to be centered around the kitchen and entertainment areas.  He should've been called "Henry the Hedonist"

That's quite the kitchen fireplace, with centuries of soot going all the way up the wall to the (wooden) roof.

Thank heaven for a dishwasher.

The cellar windows make an angry face.

Poor guy looks like he's been there quite some time.

The main banqueting hall at Hampton, with the royal seats at the end.  I also wanted to see the tennis court, but it was closed for the winter.

The backyard.

I do like a rambling English-style garden, but the formal gardens are also impressive.

And apparently a quick visit to the Palace is a treacherous, life-threatening exercise.  Got a chuckle out of that poor guy in the graphic, bumping and falling his way through the entire place.  Bet he doesn't come back!