So much is written about London that I demur at the task of writing a detailed, well-informed post about England's capital. Our recent trip is Ken's first and, since my only other trip to London was around 40 years ago, I am also a novice.
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| We came upon St. Pancras Old Church on our way to Camden. |
When friends ask us about our trip, the first question is, "How was the weather?" We spend six days in London, most of them sunny, with a wet weekend in the middle. It is also windy, so our umbrellas are of little use. On gray days we visit museums and go to the movies.
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| For some unknown reason, there's an orange lion in Trafalgar Square. |
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By the time we reach Buckingham Palace on our London Tour,
we'll rest wherever we can find a spot to sit. |
We receive an orientation to the city by taking an excellent six-hour walking tour from Strawberry Tours. Our guide, JJ, is a London native and an aspiring actor. (We'll be watching for him in the new season of "Call the Midwife" this winter.)
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| Our visit to London starts with an all-day walking tour, led by JJ of Strawberry Tours. |
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The windows had to be covered on this London skyscraper
after a car melted from the sun's reflection. |
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| Marigolds pop near Fleet Street in London. |
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| The dragon marks the boundary of the City of London. |
It doesn't take us long to figure out that some of the main attractions — Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Tower of London, the Shard — are expensive, and we just can't justify spending around 75 USD for the two of us to visit these popular sites. However, London has some amazing free museums, and we visit three of them: the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the National Gallery.
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| Ken makes the acquaintance of a resident at the British Museum in London. |
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| We barely scratch the surface of the enormous British Museum in London. |
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The courtyard at the Victoria & Albert offers us a breather during our
visit to the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. |
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I am confused at National Gallery (I should have sprung for an audio guide),
but despite getting lost, the architecture and art here are amazing. |
We stick close to London proper, although one of our best days is a visit to Greenwich via a ferry, after a long walk on the South Bank of the Thames.
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I take advantage of an open door and pop in for a peek of the
stage at Shakespeare's Globe on London's South Bank. |
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| Ken is happy to pose for a picture with the Tower of London as a backdrop. |
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Ship figureheads are on display at the National Maritime
Museum in Greenwich. |
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The Queen's House in Greenwich is a formal royal residence designed by
Inigo Jones. It contains an impressive collection of of paintings. |
But by far the highlight of our trip is "Hamilton." I scored tickets about six months ahead of time, and the musical became the reason we finally decided to go to London. Bargain fares on Ryan Air from Bergerac to Stansted, and a lovely room at a reasonable price in Walthamstow, complete our plans. Oh, and if you go, buy your Oyster Visitors Card in advance. It saves a bundle on transportation.
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Our last evening in London is spent at the Victoria Palace
seeing 'Hamilton' where I try not to sing along too loudly. |
Here are a few other "bits and bobs."
- Fish & chips: Ken tries them; I pass
- Scones with clotted cream: Divine!
- Thai and Chinese food: Yes! Yes!
- Double-decker buses: provide a good chance to rest while traveling at a snail's pace
- Camden Market: I think we're too old for this scene
- Street performers: Hell yes! and don't forget to toss a few quids in the hat
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| A street performer at Covent Garden performs a 'How'd he do that?' trick. |
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| A puppeteer makes Michael Jackson dance at Trafalgar Square. |
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| I'm guessing these might be Harry Potter fans at King's Cross station in London. |
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| We walk through St. James's Park during our London tour. |
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Descended from pelicans brought to London hundreds of years ago,
and inbred-to-boot, these residents of London's St. James's Park
have been known to eat pigeons. |
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| Window dressers are at work at Harrods in London. |
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A statue of Abraham Lincoln stands in Parliament Square
in London. |
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This statue of Sir John Betjiman, famous poet and railroad
enthusiast, is located at St. Pancras station in London. |
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'The Meeting Place' statue at London's St. Pancras station
depicts the romance of travel. |
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Don't miss the details at the base of 'The Meeting Place' statue
in St. Pancras station in London. |
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| London's Camden Street may be happening, but makes us feel stodgy. |
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And as Uncle Walter used to say, this one is just to prove
I was there. |
