The forecast for London was 21 degrees and we took off with high hopes. Arriving at Fenchurch Street we were a bit miffed to find a cold wind blowing from the South and decided we would walk to Westminster to get warm! Hardly anyone about as is usual for London early morning and we both enjoyed the brisk walk for the 2 miles or so along the Embankment to Westminster.
The first thing we noticed was the difference between this place and St Pauls. A truly magnificent structure and full of tombs and memorials of historical Royals and notables. No photographs alowed unfortunately. Poets corner is like visiting an encyclopedia of well known names - Wordsworth/Keats/Shelley/Burns -they are all here.A poignant tomb was that of the unknown soldier, decorated with Flanders poppies and a beautiful tribute "laid to rest with the famous of the land".The ceiling of the main part of the Abbey is incredibly structured and as we heard a guide tell his group "an amazing feat of engineering for the 15th century".
We had booked a champagne "flight" on the London Eye which cost an arm and a leg but gave us priority boarding, soomething we appreciated when we saw the size of the queues. Our capsule held 16 people in comfort and enabled us to move around and take in the extravagant veiws from all sides. The champagne was welcome but there is not much in one glass!! Our guide was well versed in the whereabouts of all the famous buildings and we were kept busy finding the various landmarks. A unique experience and an understanding of the awesome design and construction of this attraction. British Airways,who invested in the project, made a profit of 50 million pounds from the Eye last year and are said to have contemplated selling their aircraft and building more of these around the world!!!
Down to earth again and we went to the wharf where we had paid for a River cruise, only to find that the boat was almost full and the queue for the last few seats meant we would have to wait another hour for the next one.But the ticket man told us that if we hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river we could use our tickets for a sister ship which was leaving in 15 minutes. A hectic scramble through the throngs and we just made it.The legs at this stage were starting to tell me that there was a limit to all this pedestrian activity. Lovely trip on the catamaran however.Up to the Tower Bridge and back with a guide telling us about the various buildings en route.
Another brief walk and we arrived at the Wartime Underground Cabinet Rooms and the Churchill Museum. The rooms themselves have been restored to their original condition (the bedrooms even have poes under the bed!!) and in some rooms models have been consttructed to represent wartime activity. The bomb proofing of these rooms consists of oak beams and supports placed against the roof and walls. I don't think that a direct hit by a land mine would have failed to demolish the whole thing.
The adjacent Churchill Museum is state of the art. Winston's whole life story is displayed with photographs, models and memorabilia. There are many recordings of Churchill's speeches including his famous tribute to THE FEW and his "We will fight them on the beaches".It is a really appropriate reminder of the role that he played in WW11 and it also highlights his many weaknesses such as Galipoli.
We spent nearly two hours here before catching a bus to Trafalgar Square where we had a drink before going on to Fenchurch Street station and catching a train home.Had a couple of loud mouthed mobile phone users in the carriage and some West Ham United football supporters carrying cans of beer - but they behaved OK.!!
No comments:
Post a Comment