Off to London on a dry and overcast day though it was hot!
With our ingenious research we managed to discover the London pass. A day pass for £46 which got you into all the major attractions. Aside from the usual ones such as Madame Tussards, London Dungeon or the London Eye, we at least got to see all the real expensive attractions. Thus heading to pick up our ticket we discovered the underground kind of almost Harry Potter building hidden opposite a theatre. Taking the spiral staircase you could hear the ominous sound of the tube in the bowels of the city. But soon we were armed with our handy souvenir pocket guides and heading to our first destination. Westminster Abbey.
I was struck at how busy the Abbey was both inside and out. There seemed to be people milling around everywhere clutching their audio guides like rather large old fashioned mobile phones. There was silence with the exception of the dull mutter of takings from the contraptions. A wonderful invention describing what you're looking at without much of a to do.
There were some beautiful gems in there. The throne poof which every king and queen has been passed their title on since 1300 ish. The beautiful statue of Isaac Newton so famously represented in Dan Browns Da Vinci Code. The statue of a man protecting his wide from death itself and the one where 6 sons kneel next to their fathers death bed. One of which looks up as the sole remainder left. There was of course Henry V and Elizabeth I, Queen Mary and many others buried under the same roof. But it wasn't these that caught my attention but Poets Corner. Names sprung out of my that I have studied and loved. On the floor, on the walls, on the windows. Names of the Romantic poets, Charles Dickens, Handel and the war poets. Some with inscriptions that I wish I had copied down. And of course the masterpiece that is William Shakespeare's memorial.at which I dart down and looked up at with immense admiration for the great play write.
However, we couldn't stop too long and before we know it we're stood in the beautiful marble infrastructure of.St Paul's. It was so majestic and looked untouched with it's impressive statue for the Duke of Wellington, the ornate pure marble high altar and intricate glittering mosaics. We even managed to slip up into the dome famously known for it's ability to carry a whisper perfectly acoustically from one side to the other. Before heading down into the crypt to enjoy some more treasures.
Quick lunch on the Cathedrals steps and we were off to the Globe. Home of Shakespeare away from Stratford upon Avon. Though disappointed that the tours were only morning based we still got to explore the museum which held information on the construction and history of the place. The costumes. And also the magnificent poster of all the sayings coined by Shakespeare, the printing press of the time and two men hauling giant metal swords and shields around. We even got to hear my favourite monologue 'To be or not to be' in a booth. Which left me in awe and happiness.
Fast forward and we're walking South Bank cluttered with tourists and Wenlock's and Mandevilles and painted on figures of the London 2012 sports. On the way I stopped to take a picture of a ruined building only for us to bump into a friend from university. Really what are the chances of that?
But onwards to the London Bridge Experience and London Tombs which actually had very little to do with the bridge but more of a place to get a scare. And scare me it did with people shouting and sniffing in my ear. I genuinely had to hold on to my boyfriend for dear life especially as we managed to get lost and detached from the group...
But we survived it and made it across Tower Bridge to see the Tower of London. Around the ground were oddly placed animal statutes weirdly made of chain mail or something of that respect. Walking into a giant polar bear made me think we'd walked into Lost! But we got to see the crown jewels, the bloody tower, and a really odd metal dragon with fiery eyes...not sure what that was about..
Finally with the major attractions shutting for the night we headed for London Zoo as it was extended opening hours for the weekend. alas we were a minute late and were refused entry. Black mark against your name London Zoo! So we called it a night, walked through Camden (delightful) and got a McDonalds on Oxford Circus before heading home well and truly shattered!
Odd things though:
Two dogs tethered together on a walk Man posting a loose pair of Jeans pin an actual post box
Ten people drinking on a Pedi float cycling dangerously
One giant can of red bull being driven around the streets
Safe to say, I still love London :)
With our ingenious research we managed to discover the London pass. A day pass for £46 which got you into all the major attractions. Aside from the usual ones such as Madame Tussards, London Dungeon or the London Eye, we at least got to see all the real expensive attractions. Thus heading to pick up our ticket we discovered the underground kind of almost Harry Potter building hidden opposite a theatre. Taking the spiral staircase you could hear the ominous sound of the tube in the bowels of the city. But soon we were armed with our handy souvenir pocket guides and heading to our first destination. Westminster Abbey.
I was struck at how busy the Abbey was both inside and out. There seemed to be people milling around everywhere clutching their audio guides like rather large old fashioned mobile phones. There was silence with the exception of the dull mutter of takings from the contraptions. A wonderful invention describing what you're looking at without much of a to do.
There were some beautiful gems in there. The throne poof which every king and queen has been passed their title on since 1300 ish. The beautiful statue of Isaac Newton so famously represented in Dan Browns Da Vinci Code. The statue of a man protecting his wide from death itself and the one where 6 sons kneel next to their fathers death bed. One of which looks up as the sole remainder left. There was of course Henry V and Elizabeth I, Queen Mary and many others buried under the same roof. But it wasn't these that caught my attention but Poets Corner. Names sprung out of my that I have studied and loved. On the floor, on the walls, on the windows. Names of the Romantic poets, Charles Dickens, Handel and the war poets. Some with inscriptions that I wish I had copied down. And of course the masterpiece that is William Shakespeare's memorial.at which I dart down and looked up at with immense admiration for the great play write.
However, we couldn't stop too long and before we know it we're stood in the beautiful marble infrastructure of.St Paul's. It was so majestic and looked untouched with it's impressive statue for the Duke of Wellington, the ornate pure marble high altar and intricate glittering mosaics. We even managed to slip up into the dome famously known for it's ability to carry a whisper perfectly acoustically from one side to the other. Before heading down into the crypt to enjoy some more treasures.
Quick lunch on the Cathedrals steps and we were off to the Globe. Home of Shakespeare away from Stratford upon Avon. Though disappointed that the tours were only morning based we still got to explore the museum which held information on the construction and history of the place. The costumes. And also the magnificent poster of all the sayings coined by Shakespeare, the printing press of the time and two men hauling giant metal swords and shields around. We even got to hear my favourite monologue 'To be or not to be' in a booth. Which left me in awe and happiness.
Fast forward and we're walking South Bank cluttered with tourists and Wenlock's and Mandevilles and painted on figures of the London 2012 sports. On the way I stopped to take a picture of a ruined building only for us to bump into a friend from university. Really what are the chances of that?
But onwards to the London Bridge Experience and London Tombs which actually had very little to do with the bridge but more of a place to get a scare. And scare me it did with people shouting and sniffing in my ear. I genuinely had to hold on to my boyfriend for dear life especially as we managed to get lost and detached from the group...
But we survived it and made it across Tower Bridge to see the Tower of London. Around the ground were oddly placed animal statutes weirdly made of chain mail or something of that respect. Walking into a giant polar bear made me think we'd walked into Lost! But we got to see the crown jewels, the bloody tower, and a really odd metal dragon with fiery eyes...not sure what that was about..
Finally with the major attractions shutting for the night we headed for London Zoo as it was extended opening hours for the weekend. alas we were a minute late and were refused entry. Black mark against your name London Zoo! So we called it a night, walked through Camden (delightful) and got a McDonalds on Oxford Circus before heading home well and truly shattered!
Odd things though:
Two dogs tethered together on a walk Man posting a loose pair of Jeans pin an actual post box
Ten people drinking on a Pedi float cycling dangerously
One giant can of red bull being driven around the streets
Safe to say, I still love London :)
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