Hampstead/Keats

Ok, I lied. I did not, in fact, go to Jane Austen's house today. Sadly, Lauren was not feeling well and couldn't accompany us, so Sarah and I decided to wait until we could all go to make the trek out to Winchester. However, being up so early, we figured that we might as well make the best of a strangely sunny day! After checking out the bus schedule for when we do go to Jane's former abode, we jumped back on the tube and headed out to visit John Keats's house. After a few minor confusions due to track work, we arrived in Hampstead, which is a very cute little town at the edge of zone 2. Not being prepared for this trip, we really didn't have any idea where to go, so we wandered around for a bit, stopping to have a cup of delicious French hot chocolate in Maison Blanc, one of the many pastries.
After stopping and asking for directions several times, we finally stumbled upon Keats's house, which is directly next to a public library. Somehow, we found an open gate, and hung out in the gorgeous front yard, sitting on the stoop until the house officially opened at 1:00. The Keats House is really well managed, and has student admission for a pound seventy-five, which is valid for an entire year, so if you're in London, you should definitely go check it out. Each room in the house was explained and designed with artifacts to simulate its appearance when Keats lived there with Charles Brown during the time period where he wrote virtually all of his poetry. Originally two separate houses, Fanny Brawne, his love and finance, lived 'next door', and the house had a lot of very interesting information about her as well as Keats.
After spending a significant amount of time there, Sarah and I went for a walk through the enormous public park nearby, Heath Dairy, where Keats and Shelley used to go walk and write. It is an incredibly beautiful open space, with paths, ponds, wildlife, woods, and open meadows. I know I'm not describing it well, but it's incredible and breathtaking. On our walk/hike we saw tons of families with adorable children (one little girl reminded me of Hannah- she was chasing pigons trying to kick them and screaming and laughing rather maniacally...), old couples feeding the birds, and countless individuals walking dogs- I think everyone in Hampstead has a dog, and it just made me want to move here, buy some galoshes, and get a puppy! We ventured off the path a bit and found a beautiful oak tree, which we climbed and just sat and thought in.
After a few hours the sun started to set, so we headed back to the tube, stopping at another amazing French bakery, Paul's, to buy a loaf of bread for dinner. When we got back, Sarah, Lauren, and I cooked dinner together and then, after failing to get enough tickets to see a movie in the cinema, watched some Arrested Development- a nice quiet night after a very long day.