Today got off to a rocky start that got smoothed out pretty quickly.  My laptop seemed to have inexplicably died.  Turns out, it wasn't getting any power, and since the power converter I was using had a red light on it that was illuminated, indicating that it was working, I assumed that the problem was with the computer's power supply especially since  its light was *not* on.  The awesome staff of the hotel found a store that might have a new power supply that I could buy, but just as I was getting ready to set off I tried plugging another device into that very same power converter and, what do you know, it wasn't sending any juice to that device either.  I quickly swapped out the converter for another one and, voila, it worked.  The bad news is I'd canceled a trip up to Cambridge since I thought I was going to be driving around looking for power supplies.  But the good news is I was able to see a few more sights on this, my last full day in London.  So what did I do?  Went to Harrods, of course.  I spent most of my time trying to find my way out again, but I did love the food rooms. 

Then a quick walk to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  I thought that Westminster Abbey was magnificent, but I've never seen a collection of more beautiful items all together in my life.  It was overwhelming, really.  Here are a few highlights.

I had lunch in this room.

I love museums that still let art students in to sketch.

The famous William Morris willow design.

I could easily spend an entire week in this museum, but since I only had a few more hours in London and other things to see I tore myself away.  As I was headed up to the Royal Albert Hall I saw these beautiful townhouses (that I don't live in).

Here's Royal Albert Hall...

Which is right across from the Royal College of Music...

  

And next to the Royal Collage of Organists.  

 

In fact, this whole area is a huge neighborhood of museums and colleges.  It's fascinating and beautiful.  

I did go on a tour of Royal Albert Hall but since there was a rehearsal for the evening's performance of Swan Lake (video) by the English National Ballet we were asked not to take any pictures.  However, we did get to see about 10 minutes of the rehearsal.  What a treat!  And we saw the Queen's box, and her private entrance, and went into her "retiring room," which is where she goes during intermissions and such.  What a great tour it was!

After the tour I went across the street to Kensington Gardens, which was gorgeous!  

 I'll put more photos in another post.  The day ended by eating dinner in a Pret a Manger (?) and getting scolded for getting food to go but eating it there.  Oops, forgot about the VAT tax.