London
After 30hrs traveling, 24hrs flying, 4hrs in transit and 2hrs checking in and navigating various airports, I arrived in a somewhat less than ideal London. A Grey overcast day with occasional drizzle, just like the weather I left back at home. Oh well, what will be, will be.
My hotel is in one of the many terrace buildings not far from Paddington Station surrounding Norfolk Square.
The Wild Table of Love
Ten of the most endangered animals of the world sharing a table to show friendship and support.
So much to see! Met up with my cousin today and spent it navigating the tube and being tourists. Started at Paddington and headed to Kings Cross/St Pancras stations. First stop was the amazing St Pancras Hotel. Then we spent our time wandering the area and wending our way to Embankment Station at the end of our day.
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a fine example of Victorian architecture. OriginallyThe Midland Grand Hotel, it was opened in 1876. For many years this was the place to stay in London. It gradually fell out of favour as new hotels were built that had ensuites. It was shut as a hotel in 1935, becoming offices and accommodation for the railway. BritishRail wanted to knock it down and after a campaign to save the building, the Victorian Society saved the building and secured a Grade 1 heritage listing in 1967.
It was shut down in the 1980s due to fire regulations and sat unused for years.
In 2004 planning permission was given to turn it back into a hotel. It re-opened in 2011 as the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
The grand staircase – St Pancras Hotel
The Shard – Harry Potter Shop – Canal near St Pancras – the Obelisk
Tower Bridge
Southwark Cathedral
The Golden Hinde – a reconstruction of Francis Drake’s ship
On the 1st October, 1974, the reconstructed Golden Hinde began her first adventure. Since then she has circum navigated the globe, completed multiple Atlantic crossings and worked as a museum around the world.
(1914 – 1996)
Emily Kam Kngwarray was in her late 80s when she began painting in earnest. She never left her community in Australia’s western Northern Territory.
I spent a few hours away from the crowds of London City today. A day of reflection at the Highgate Cemetery. Lots of history and where the residents have to get cozy with each other. The Western side of the Cemetery seems to be the oldest part with some of the most extravagant tombstone headstones.
I paid £10 to wander around by myself. You could pay an extra £8 and go on a guided tour. The Eastern side is free.
Following is a selection from within the cemetery. Yes, I know there are quite a few, but I do find old cemeteries interesting. I have thrown in some other photos as well!
Highgate Cemetery is one of the earliest private garden cemeteries in England, opening in 1839.
The company which had set up the Cemetery collapsed in a financial scandal leaving no one to look after the site. It is the responsibility of the families to look after the monuments, which most have failed to do.
Other private cemeteries suffered a similar fate in the 1960s and 70s. Most were taken over by their local council.
Highgate is different. It was rescued by a charity, the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, and is now run for public benefit, not profit.
Jim Horn (1976-2010) might have been an avid reader of Penguin book, but he was not a partner in the firm. The penguin symbol is representative of penguins mating for life and the word Partner” awaits an “s” presumably for Horn’s life partner. Don’t know how true this little factoid is. I like the story anyway.
“Horse” Grave – the second wife, son and stepson of the “Horse Slaughterer” to Queen Victoria are buried here.
Michael Faraday – Chemist and Physicist who discovered the principles behind the electric motor and built the first Faraday Cage in 1836.
Highgate’s newest and only 21st century mausoleum, completed in 2019
Today, London really turned it on! Jumped onto the tube to go and do the climb up the inside of the towers for Tower Bridge. More stairs! Theree are a LOT of steps in London.
Weight of each tower – 70,000t
Concrete used – 53,000 cubic meters
Weight of steel used – 10,000t
Height of walkways above road level – 33.5m
Tower Bridge opened – 1894
Between 13 and 14 million rivets used
10 people died and29 were seriously injured
Steam engines replaced by electric engines – 1976
The walkway between the North and South Tower.
The Church of St Dunstan was originally built around 1100 and is a Grade I listed building. A new south aisle was added in 1391 and was repaired in 1631. It was severely damaged in 1666 by the Great Fire of London.
The Church was again severely damaged in the Blitz of 1941. Wren’s tower and steeple survived the bombing. During the re-organisation of the Anglican Church after World war II it was decided not to rebuild St Dunstan’s. In 1967 the City of London decided to turn the remains into a public garden, which opened in 1970.
Some quirky pub signs I stumbled upon while on my wander from the city.
My final full day in London. Jumped on the double-decker Hop-On, Hop-Off tour business spentmost of the day visiting other tourist hot spots. The National Art Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
I was sitting at the very front in the upstairs of the bus and had a great view. Here are some photos along the way.
Column – 56.4m
Statue – 5.5m
Construction – between 1840 – 1843
Four bronze lions added in 1867
Next stop, inside the National Gallery. Another spot that is popular with school groups and tourists. The National Gallery only has European works of art. Here are some that caught my eye.
And my favorite….
It was disappointing to see such a huge fence around the House of Parliament. It was erected in June of this year, however many police have said that this makes it much more dangerous as it “cuts off sightlines” to potential attackers. Also spoils your photos.
Way back in 960Ad a group of Benedictine monks established a Monastery on the site. In 1065 Edward the Confessor comissiooned a bigger church on the site, and in 1245 Henry III begins the construction of the present Gothic-style church, which forms the core of the building seen today. For more info click HERE
St Paul’s and The Savoy.
The coast of Portugal close to the Spanish border.
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