London - Part Two
05 to 07 June 2024
Swan Theater
Wednesday morning Anthony went for a run along the Thames. Coincidentally, it was Global Running Day, as Cyril reminded him.
The Dome of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, from the Millennium Bridge
Julie and Anthony caught the Number 15 bus from Tower Hill to the Monument. The great fire of London changed the shape of greater London. It gave Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke (fellow member of The Royal Society) the opportunity to rebuilt/redesign Saint Paul’s Cathedral and much of London.
30 Canon Street, on the way to St Paul’s Cathedral
Entrance to Saint Paul’s.
A close up of Victoria in front of the Cathedral, taken from the 15 Bus.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral is Sir Christopher Wren’s masterwork, begun in 1675 and finished in 1710. Where the monarchy dominates Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul’s belongs to the people. Nelson, Wellington, and Wren are interred there. Florence Nightingale, Arthur Sullivan (Gilbert and Sullivan) and Churchill are honored there.
The crypt contained a 300 year celebration of Christopher Wren.
Wren’s proposal for rebuilding London. Neat and orderly, and not accepted.
Nelson tomb and Florence Nightingale memorial in the crypt.
The dome from the cathedral floor. You can see the Whispering Gallery and Golden Gallery.
Anthony got his cardio in today, walking up to the Golden Gallery at the top of the dome. Julie did not.
View from the Stone Gallery.
View from the top (Golden Gallery).
We have tickets to see Six when we are back in August, Julie is very excited.
Dragon in the middle of Fleet Street (formerly known as Ditch)
On Thursday, Julie and Anthony spend the day at Windsor Palace. We got there early, and the guards would not let us even get in line before the time on our ticket. So we killed some time in town.
The Four heirs to the thrown, at least when Elizabeth was with us.
Photography is not allowed inside the buildings at Windsor Palace, but the Art, Furnishings and Architecture are amazing. Charles II spend a ton of money keeping up with Louis XIV. When a fire broke out in the apartments, the staff saved much of the art and furniture. What could not be saved was rebuilt to it’s original glory. It is stunning.
After visiting the state rooms in the castle, we walked down to St George’s Chapel. It’s very beautiful inside (again, no pictures allowed) and has the honor of being the resting place for Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Princess Margaret, Henry the VIII along with several other monarchs.
Julie and Anthony walked down to the Long Walk, the approach to the Castle that nobles used when visiting the monarchs.
Darn, missed it by just a few days.
The Lock at Saint Katherine Docks, on the way to breakfast our last day in London.
Friday morning we pack up and work on the blog until we have to check out. Then walked through the docks to breakfast.
On the way we saw the worlds fanciest row boat. These folks are rowing around Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).
Google Maps
