We didn't have too great a night's sleep and ended up getting up about 3am. We fiddled with our technology problems for a few hours as we waited for the sun to rise. I did wonder whether the police arriving on duty in the Police station up the road wondered if we were sitting in the window with head torches making a bomb!
We were in Westminster by 8am and it was great excitement when we came out of the tube and there he was- Big Ben. Magnificient. We wandered the streets looking for the Regency Cafe which Geoff had picked for our first day in London celebration breakfast. Amazing cafe got a top vote for best breakfast venue in London.
The Anchor Bankside is a pub in London on the South Bank of the Thames close to Southwark cathedral and London Bridge station. It was built in 1615. The date is on the front of the building. Many of the actors from the original Globe theatre would have frequented this pub.
After our little Thames river cruise it was onto the double decker bus for our first trip. the traffic was quite congested as there had been a major fire yesterday that was still burning at Holburn.
This is us on top of our bus. It was rather chilly but gave a great vantage to take photos without taking them through the glass. There was either a live commentary or one you plugged earphones in for.There were 3 different routes to do. We did 1 1/2 today.
This is the Victoria Memorial outside Buckinham palace.
St Johns Park. Originally a cemetery it rapidly became full so a few metres of soil was added and they buried more. Eventually it was converted to a raised park. There are now very expensive appartments all around it. The side walls and ground have gravestones attached. Don't think I would like to live on top of so many dead people!
Originally located in Southwark, but based in Lambeth since 1871, this world renowned hospital has provided healthcare freely or under charitable auspices since the 12th century. It is one of London's most famous hospitals, associated with names such as Astley Cooper, William Cheselden, Florence Nightingale, Linda Richards, Edmund Montgomery, Agnes Elizabeth Jones and Sir Harold Ridley. It is a prominent London landmark – largely due to its location on the opposite bank of the River Thames to the Houses of Parliament.
St. Thomas's Hospital was described as ancient in 1215. It was a mixed order of Augustinian monks and nuns, dedicated to Thomas Becket which provided shelter and treatment for the poor, sick, and homeless. The hospital was located in Southwark, just south of London Bridge.In the fifteenth century Richard Whitington endowed a laying-in ward for unmarried mothers. St Thomas Church.
It was in the grounds of the Hospital in Southwark that the first complete translation of the bible into English was made. In 1533, Thomas Cromwell and Sir Thomas More suggested that the Scriptures should be translated into `the vulgar tongue'. Miles Coverdale made the translation and James Nicholson printed the Bible from premises in St Thomas's. The grounds also housed one of England's most famous stained glass window manufacturers.The Hospital was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540, despite pleas from the City to allow it to take over control. It was described as a 'bawdy' house, possibly because the Master was accused of immorality, or because it treated many of the prostitutes and their clients of their venereal diseases. Southwark was the red-light district of London. The hospital was reopened as a hospital by Edward VI in 1552, since when it has continued to serve the public, although it moved from its ancient site to its present location in Lambeth in 1862. The monastery was dissolved in the Reformation, but reopened in 1551 and rededicated to Thomas the Apostle, as Becket had been decanonised.In 1859, Florence Nightingale became involved with St Thomas's, setting up on this site her famous nursing school.
I could sit and look at Big Ben all day. I am not a big fan of gold objects as they always seem brassy and gawdy. But there is something about the gold on the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben that is just incredible.
The Millenuem Wheel was only meant to be in place for a couple of years but it is now a huge financial success so will stay. 500 000 pounds a year is paid to a London charity for its lease.
These are some of the buildings in the Temple area along the Thames. These building were built as accommodation, teaching and living areas for lawyers.
Trafalgar square seen from our vantage point. This tour bus idea is great if you are a sticky beak because you can often see into buildings on the first floor as you go past!
We stopped in the West End and had some lunch at the wonderful Pret a Manger. They are the best places to eat. Homemade, healthy foods. These shops are everywhere and well patronised by Londoners. We wandered through the West End. Haven't been there before. So many great shows on. We will come back for a matinee. Everywhere is packed with people. Bustling, noisy and vibrant.
Buskers like this young lady who played beautifully.
Interesting inscription on the side of the BBC.
Our favourite London church- All Souls Langham Place.Its nestled in between the BBC and lots of other buildings. Its at the end of Oxford Circus.
This is the back part of Kensington Palace in London is a working Royal residence. Of great historical importance, Kensington Palace was the favourite residence of successive sovereigns until 1760. It was also the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria. Today Kensington Palace accommodates the offices and private apartments of a number of members of the Royal Family, including The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Although managed by Historic Royal Palaces, the Palace is furnished with items from the Royal Collection. Kensington Palace began as a simple two-story Jacobean mansion built by Sir George Coppin in 1605 in the village of Kensington. The mansion was purchased in 1619 by Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham and was then known as Nottingham House.[2] Shortly after William and Mary assumed the throne as joint monarchs in 1689, they began searching for a residence better situated for the comfort of the asthmatic William, as Whitehall Palace was too near the River Thames, with its fog and floods, for William's fragile health.
Apparently you can have afternoon tea in the Orangery there but my colonial non elitist tendencies would baulk at the $50 a head cost!
Marble Arch. This originally was built as the Entrance to Buckingham Palace but it is said that Queen Victoria didn't like it so she had a carriage built that was too wide for it and it had to be moved away. It is now at Hyde Park corner and close to Tyburn Hill which was the main place of public execution in London with 65 000 people being executed there.
Can never resist a photo of the Wellington Arch.
We got off then and wandered through Selfridges. I had wanted to see this as I saw a documentary of this store a while ago. It was the first department store in London and very much along the lines of the TV series The Paradise. Most things didn't have prices. Seeing the ties cost over $250 I hate to think what the bigger items cost! We decided about 4.30 we should call it a day before the rush hour and hightailed back to our cosy flat at Stratford. What a brilliant first day back in London!
Looks cold!
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