Croydon 2

Trip Day 11 - Thursday, February 27th - Canterbury -> Battle -> Croydon

50 years ago, I learned about the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It wasn't until today that I understood what that battle signified.  

The actual battle was north of Hastings in a town now called Battle. When Edward the Confessor died early 1066, he didn't leave a successor. There were 3 that had a claim to the throne and Harold Godwinson was chosen. Duke William of Normandy felt he had a claim, so built ships to hold 5-7000 men, supplies and horses, but had to hold off because of the weather. 

Harold had to head east to deal with some Vikings and right at that time, William took off from France and landed at Pevensey Bay. He built fortifications at Hastings. 

Harold heard about the landing and headed to stop William. Because he hurried, his force was not as large as it could have been. The Normans had horses and archers and an arrow from a barrage of arrows killed Harold. The Normans then pretty much slaughtered the rest of the demoralized soldiers and William was crowned King on Christmas in Westminster Abbey. 

THIS CHANGED EVERYTHING!!!

The Anglo/Saxons were kicked out and the Normans (kind of French but not really because they were Viking invaders - North Men = Norman) took over.

This impact on English society was never imparted to us. The impact of a SINGLE battle, the downfall and takeover of an entire country, was never really communicated to us.

After Battle, I drove to the Croydon Hilton to be reunited with my crap and then I drove to the mall where I parked so I could go to the Pinball Republic. 

William Johnson from Savannah who I met at the 2024 Georgia State Pinball Championship at Balls of Steel group in Richmond met me there since he also happened to be in England and we participated in the league play. He finished 13th and I finished 21st out of 31.

The format of the tournament was single play on 15 games with someone signing to confirm the score. I did set the high score of the series on Pulp Fiction, but that was my only accomplishment. I've posted the scores because there were actually people standing around me watching. I had 3 multi-balls on the 3rd ball. Normally, Pulp Fiction is not my strong game, but I did relatively lousy on Star Wars which is my best game.

Trip Day 12 - Friday, February 28th - Croydon <-> London

Because I moved my schedule around to be in Croydon on Thursday, I had nothing scheduled for Friday. Originally, it would have been a trip to Dover but I did that on Wednesday. Also, Thursday, I would have gone to Margate and that was done on Tuesday. I really saw everything I wanted to by Thursday.

I realized that on Wednesday, so I decided to repeat 2 plays and booked a matinee and an evening show.  First of all, Stranger Things: First Shadow, but this time from the balcony and Kyoto, also from the balcony. Before going a second time, Kyoto was my favorite and Stranger Things was my second favorite.

Since I was in Croydon, I had to get to downtown London - the West End.  Additionally, I decided I could leave one of my bags behind in London while I went to Vienna for the weekend, so took an Uber instead of the train. I dropped off my smaller suitcase at a storage place near my next hotel to pick up on my return on Monday.  

Stranger Things was better the second time because I could see the multiple levels of the play from the balcony much better. Instead of just being on the stage, there are scenes that are 2 levels above the stage with actors behind it. The special effects were incredible as seen from above, so if you ever get to see it, get balcony tickets. I understood more of the story and caught a lot of references I missed the first time.

For Kyoto, my balcony seat was frustrated by a bunting in front of the railing which impeded the view. During the intermission, I asked to change seats and was put back on the bottom floor at the back - not a good exchange, but better than the view blocker.

Rewatching the plays changed my opinion of them. I think Kyoto was more shocking the first time and watching it a second time was still good, but not as a surprise. Stranger Things had so much story and I didn't get it all the first time.

I took an Uber back and the geography of being in Croydon really hit home - even though 12 miles, it takes a car an hour to go to London's West End.  

In between plays, I found a couple of places with pinball and had some dinner at The Royal George. Eating in the theatre district is mediocre. There are so many tourists that perhaps standards are lowered and it's just fodder.

My rental car stayed in the parking garage at the hotel all day. It probably was relieved. No curbs run over this day!