Friday, February 29, 2008
Leap Day
Even without adding the 29th, it's been the sunniest February on record for England. (There were 122.3 hours of sunshine, easily beating the old record of 109.2 hours set in 1988.) Can't complain about that! The weather must know that today is usually March 1st, because it's overcast - not to mention cool, breezy, and lightly raining....
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Bridge Walk East
Continuing east, it's now time for the last 3 bridges I crossed on my "Bridge Day" (18 February).
Southwark Bridge
Poor Southwark. It's sometimes called "the bridge that goes nowhere," because all of the major attractions nearby are closer to bridges on either side of it. This really does make it relatively quiet.
London Bridge
In this case, the past is more interesting than the present. I know the plaque is difficult to see, but it shows the various bridges that have been built on or near this site since 1209. For many years it was lined with houses and shops, with a chapel in the centre. A fragile model of one of those versions still stands in St Magnus the Martyr Church, near the northern end of the bridge.
Southwark Cathedral stands near the southern end, and I toured the interior back in September.
Tower Bridge
It's awesome to look at from just about any angle. But my favourite view still has to be during a bridge lift. (See "London On My Own" from 6 September.)
Once I had crossed all 9 bridges, I looped my way back to Waterloo Bridge, and then headed toward the station and home. My feet were a bit sore that evening....
Southwark Bridge
Poor Southwark. It's sometimes called "the bridge that goes nowhere," because all of the major attractions nearby are closer to bridges on either side of it. This really does make it relatively quiet.
London Bridge
In this case, the past is more interesting than the present. I know the plaque is difficult to see, but it shows the various bridges that have been built on or near this site since 1209. For many years it was lined with houses and shops, with a chapel in the centre. A fragile model of one of those versions still stands in St Magnus the Martyr Church, near the northern end of the bridge.
Southwark Cathedral stands near the southern end, and I toured the interior back in September.
Tower Bridge
It's awesome to look at from just about any angle. But my favourite view still has to be during a bridge lift. (See "London On My Own" from 6 September.)
Once I had crossed all 9 bridges, I looped my way back to Waterloo Bridge, and then headed toward the station and home. My feet were a bit sore that evening....
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Bridge Walk Central
Waterloo Bridge
Given that my train from Woking arrives at Waterloo station, it should come as no surprise that this is where I started and ended Bridge Day. After my first Waterloo crossing, I headed west toward the 3 bridges I wrote about yesterday. And then after my second Waterloo crossing, I headed east toward the remaining 5 bridges. Because it is made from rather plain Portland stone, Waterloo pales in comparison to most of the other bridges. The main thing it has going for it is location. Standing at a sharp bend in the Thames, you get great views both upstream and downstream. In addition, it is the longest bridge in London. And for a neat bonus fact, it is often known as "Ladies Bridge." Constructed during World War II when few men were available, most of the work was carried out by female labour.
Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Monastery used to stand near the north end of the bridge. At this Dominican priory, the friars wore black robes, distinguishing them from other orders such as the Franciscans who wore grey or brown. Standing near the South Bank, the pedestrian and vehicular bridge is on the left. The columns from the old railway bridge are in the center, and the current railway bridge is on the right. I think it makes for a nice trio! You can also see St Paul's Cathedral on the right.
An abutment at the south end of the old railway bridge bears the company's insignia, and has been beautifully preserved and restored.
Millennium Bridge
Designed for the millennium (obviously), this pedestrian-only bridge links the Tate Modern (above; haven't been there) with St Paul's Cathedral (below; visited in August). It was closed just 2 days after it opened because of an unexpected swaying motion. Modifications since then have eliminated the problem, so it can no longer be called "Wobbly Bridge," which was the nickname Londoners quickly gave it.
To view many of the bridges on my walk from a different perspective, see "St Paul's Cathedral" from 18 January.
Given that my train from Woking arrives at Waterloo station, it should come as no surprise that this is where I started and ended Bridge Day. After my first Waterloo crossing, I headed west toward the 3 bridges I wrote about yesterday. And then after my second Waterloo crossing, I headed east toward the remaining 5 bridges. Because it is made from rather plain Portland stone, Waterloo pales in comparison to most of the other bridges. The main thing it has going for it is location. Standing at a sharp bend in the Thames, you get great views both upstream and downstream. In addition, it is the longest bridge in London. And for a neat bonus fact, it is often known as "Ladies Bridge." Constructed during World War II when few men were available, most of the work was carried out by female labour.
Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Monastery used to stand near the north end of the bridge. At this Dominican priory, the friars wore black robes, distinguishing them from other orders such as the Franciscans who wore grey or brown. Standing near the South Bank, the pedestrian and vehicular bridge is on the left. The columns from the old railway bridge are in the center, and the current railway bridge is on the right. I think it makes for a nice trio! You can also see St Paul's Cathedral on the right.
An abutment at the south end of the old railway bridge bears the company's insignia, and has been beautifully preserved and restored.
Millennium Bridge
Designed for the millennium (obviously), this pedestrian-only bridge links the Tate Modern (above; haven't been there) with St Paul's Cathedral (below; visited in August). It was closed just 2 days after it opened because of an unexpected swaying motion. Modifications since then have eliminated the problem, so it can no longer be called "Wobbly Bridge," which was the nickname Londoners quickly gave it.
To view many of the bridges on my walk from a different perspective, see "St Paul's Cathedral" from 18 January.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Bridge Walk West
Last Monday was finally my self-declared "Bridge Day." For some time I had wanted to walk all of the central London bridges in a single go, and everything fell into place on 18 February. My looping route alternated between bridges and embankments, so by the end of the day I had crossed all 9 possible bridges from Lambeth (just west of the Houses of Parliament) to Tower (just east of the Tower of London), plus I had covered all of the ground along both sides of the River Thames. I took advantage of the picture perfect day by meandering along, and stopping to take over 200 photos. (What would I do without a digital camera?) No wonder it took me 7 hours to complete my route! From west to east, here is just a small sampling of the bridges and their nearby sights.
Lambeth Bridge
Not many tourists venture this far. There aren't even traffic lights for crossing the bridge at one of its ends - just zebra crossings at which vehicles must yield to pedestrians, and they do. Standing on the bridge gives you a nice view of Lambeth Palace, London home to the Archbishop of Canterbury. I know he was in residence that day, because the blue flag (far left) was flying above the Palace. Parliament was also in session, because the Union Jack was flying above Victoria Tower. (But I have yet to personally see the Royal Standard flying above Buckingham Palace.) For a great view of the Houses of Parliament, stand in front of Lambeth Palace.
Westminster Bridge
In contrast to Lambeth, every tourist crosses this one. At one end stands the South Bank Lion, and he is close to the London Eye and County Hall (home of the London Aquarium and much more).
At the other end stands Boadicea, and she is close to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Pier (departure point for those ever popular boat rides).
Golden Jubilee Bridges
Work was completed on these 2 footbridges in 2002, the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. They surround the Hungerford Railway Bridge, which is not open to pedestrians! For a preview of the next blog, look at the oh-so-attractive Waterloo Bridge in the distance....
Lambeth Bridge
Not many tourists venture this far. There aren't even traffic lights for crossing the bridge at one of its ends - just zebra crossings at which vehicles must yield to pedestrians, and they do. Standing on the bridge gives you a nice view of Lambeth Palace, London home to the Archbishop of Canterbury. I know he was in residence that day, because the blue flag (far left) was flying above the Palace. Parliament was also in session, because the Union Jack was flying above Victoria Tower. (But I have yet to personally see the Royal Standard flying above Buckingham Palace.) For a great view of the Houses of Parliament, stand in front of Lambeth Palace.
Westminster Bridge
In contrast to Lambeth, every tourist crosses this one. At one end stands the South Bank Lion, and he is close to the London Eye and County Hall (home of the London Aquarium and much more).
At the other end stands Boadicea, and she is close to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Pier (departure point for those ever popular boat rides).
Golden Jubilee Bridges
Work was completed on these 2 footbridges in 2002, the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. They surround the Hungerford Railway Bridge, which is not open to pedestrians! For a preview of the next blog, look at the oh-so-attractive Waterloo Bridge in the distance....
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Bath
Thanks to weekend engineering works (and thus delays) on both of the train lines I had to use, I spent more time in transit yesterday than I did in the city of Bath. It was a London Walks' Explorer Day. Once we finally arrived in Bath, our guide took our large group on 2 narrated walks, with a quick lunch break tucked in between them. We of course climbed uphill to Royal Crescent and The Circus. Look at that uniformity in just a small section of the latter!
However, it's not just the elegant 18th century housing that is built from the honey-coloured Bath stone (a particular type of oolitic limestone). It's everything - hotels and bridges...
...the hospital where people used to go to "take the waters"...
...and even the more traditional housing of today. No wonder the whole city has been named a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Without the hoards of tourists, it would be a beautiful place to live. Instead, it's a beautiful place to visit.
At the end of the day, we had a short period of free time, so most people opted for a quick tour of the Roman Baths Museum. But Dave and I had been there a mere 14 years ago.
So I'm sure you will be shocked to learn that I visited Bath Abbey instead....
Amazingly enough, I returned home just in time for the Six Nations rugby match between England and France. And even more amazing than that, England won...in Paris!
However, it's not just the elegant 18th century housing that is built from the honey-coloured Bath stone (a particular type of oolitic limestone). It's everything - hotels and bridges...
...the hospital where people used to go to "take the waters"...
...and even the more traditional housing of today. No wonder the whole city has been named a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Without the hoards of tourists, it would be a beautiful place to live. Instead, it's a beautiful place to visit.
At the end of the day, we had a short period of free time, so most people opted for a quick tour of the Roman Baths Museum. But Dave and I had been there a mere 14 years ago.
So I'm sure you will be shocked to learn that I visited Bath Abbey instead....
Amazingly enough, I returned home just in time for the Six Nations rugby match between England and France. And even more amazing than that, England won...in Paris!
Friday, February 22, 2008
London's Free Dailies
Rarely do I remember to pick up a copy of Metro at the Woking train station when I head into London. But in the evening I'm much better about acquiring copies of London Lite and thelondonpaper on my way home, especially since they are handed out along the streets, and by every London tube and train station. These free dailies always begin with top news stories (from local to global), and end with sports. It's the pages in the middle that are the most entertaining, because they're filled with the latest celebrity gossip - who was partying the night before, where they were spotted, what they were wearing, how they were behaving - you get the idea. Here's an especially amusing excerpt from Monday's London Lite....
Em's folks go potty over her razor date
How do you terrify the living daylights out of your strict lawyer parents? Well, hit the town with an ex-junkie rocker 10 years your senior, of course. Harry Potter star Emma Watson's well-to-do folks have banned her from spending time with Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell.
Chris and Jacqueline Watson "went mad" when they saw photos of their 17-year-old daughter partying with the former heroin addict during London Fashion Week last week.
Isn't there a rule about the minimum number of sentences that a paragraph must contain? Like more than one? But thanks to numerous such stories that are short on words and long on photos, I'm more "in the know" than I have been for years. (FYI - Johnny's last girlfriend was Kirsten Dunst, and she ended up in rehab.) I could go on...but I won't.
Em's folks go potty over her razor date
How do you terrify the living daylights out of your strict lawyer parents? Well, hit the town with an ex-junkie rocker 10 years your senior, of course. Harry Potter star Emma Watson's well-to-do folks have banned her from spending time with Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell.
Chris and Jacqueline Watson "went mad" when they saw photos of their 17-year-old daughter partying with the former heroin addict during London Fashion Week last week.
Isn't there a rule about the minimum number of sentences that a paragraph must contain? Like more than one? But thanks to numerous such stories that are short on words and long on photos, I'm more "in the know" than I have been for years. (FYI - Johnny's last girlfriend was Kirsten Dunst, and she ended up in rehab.) I could go on...but I won't.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
New Flat - The Kitchen
This is the one room I actually like better than in the old flat. For one thing, it's completely separate from the lounge. That came in quite handy when Erin was here, and I woke up at a very unreasonable hour on the morning we were to fly home. I was able to hang out in the kitchen (and laundry room - with another small washer dryer combo), and address Christmas cards while the rest of my family continued to sleep in the other 3 rooms. But what I really like is going from no upper cabinets...to 6! I can now stock up on food at sale prices, and have a place to store all of it.
Looking in from the hall, the sink is on the left. Note the nice shelves on which we can display the fine souvenir beer glasses we've collected since our arrival!
Across from the door are the hood, hob, and oven. (The washer dryer is left of the oven.)
And on the far right is the fridge freezer. Both sections are bigger than in our old flat, but still small by American standards.
So there you have our new flat. We're looking forward to warmer weather so that we can hang out on our small balcony and watch the trains pass through Woking!
Looking in from the hall, the sink is on the left. Note the nice shelves on which we can display the fine souvenir beer glasses we've collected since our arrival!
Across from the door are the hood, hob, and oven. (The washer dryer is left of the oven.)
And on the far right is the fridge freezer. Both sections are bigger than in our old flat, but still small by American standards.
So there you have our new flat. We're looking forward to warmer weather so that we can hang out on our small balcony and watch the trains pass through Woking!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
New Flat - The Lounge
We have an L shaped hall, and the master bedroom is at its corner. With our bedroom behind me, the water heater closet and the storage closet are on the left, a nice sized bathroom is on the right, and the entrance is directly in front of me.
With our bedroom directly to my left, Chris' bedroom is also on the left, the kitchen is on the right, and the lounge is directly in front of me.
Once inside the lounge, the living area is to the left...
...and the dining and office areas are to the right. Dave uses the second desk for his second laptop, but it also goes with him just about everywhere, from London to Baltimore. Chris jokingly offered to move the desk and laptop from his room so they could line up with the others!
With our bedroom directly to my left, Chris' bedroom is also on the left, the kitchen is on the right, and the lounge is directly in front of me.
Once inside the lounge, the living area is to the left...
...and the dining and office areas are to the right. Dave uses the second desk for his second laptop, but it also goes with him just about everywhere, from London to Baltimore. Chris jokingly offered to move the desk and laptop from his room so they could line up with the others!
Monday, February 18, 2008
New Flat - The Bedrooms
Given that we moved here at the end of December, I guess it's not so new anymore! As Dave has said before, this flat lacks the "character" of our old one, but it has everything we need, and the location is great.
The master bedroom is furnished with a double bed, 2 bedside tables with lamps...
...a free standing wardrobe, a mirror, and a small dresser. The door leads to a cramped but very functional en-suite bathroom.
Many of the items in Chris' bedroom are identical to ours - a double bed with headboard, 2 bedside tables, a free standing wardrobe, and a mirror. The lamps are different!
The room is just a little bit narrower, so the wardrobe is located behind the door and next to a bedside table. And yet it feels more spacious to me, because there isn't a bathroom cutting into the floor space. (Or drying racks in front of the mirror most days.) Chris cleaned it up very nicely before heading off to Baltimore. Thanks, Chris!
The master bedroom is furnished with a double bed, 2 bedside tables with lamps...
...a free standing wardrobe, a mirror, and a small dresser. The door leads to a cramped but very functional en-suite bathroom.
Many of the items in Chris' bedroom are identical to ours - a double bed with headboard, 2 bedside tables, a free standing wardrobe, and a mirror. The lamps are different!
The room is just a little bit narrower, so the wardrobe is located behind the door and next to a bedside table. And yet it feels more spacious to me, because there isn't a bathroom cutting into the floor space. (Or drying racks in front of the mirror most days.) Chris cleaned it up very nicely before heading off to Baltimore. Thanks, Chris!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Boys are Back in Town
With thanks to Thin Lizzy...
Guess who just got back today?
Them wild eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed, haven't much to say
But man, I still think them cats are crazy
Lyrics vary slightly from site to site (haven't vs. have/had, crazy vs. great), so my apologies if these aren't exactly right. They match the words I was singing in 1976! Anyway...my boys actually arrived back in town yesterday. When we extended our stay in England, Erin and I flew home in January as originally planned, while Dave and Chris stayed here because the new term was starting. Now that it's half term, Chris finally gets to spend a week in Baltimore. Dave wanted to be there for Youth Sunday at our church, and that - very conveniently - is a week from today. That leaves me in charge of a very quiet flat. (Yup, it's a rough life....)
So here is the obligatory bus photo. (It's usually called a coach around here to distinguish it from a local city bus.)
The coach pulled out of its space (marked by white lines) at 9:30, drove past the train station...
...and off it went to Heathrow. (The back of the coach is by the pedestrian subway that goes under the station and leads right to the town centre.) The good news is that Dave and Chris arrived at the airport over 2 hours before their flight was scheduled to depart. The bad news is that the plane took off over 2 hours late. I must admit that when our stay is done in June, I am not going to miss London Heathrow....
Guess who just got back today?
Them wild eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed, haven't much to say
But man, I still think them cats are crazy
Lyrics vary slightly from site to site (haven't vs. have/had, crazy vs. great), so my apologies if these aren't exactly right. They match the words I was singing in 1976! Anyway...my boys actually arrived back in town yesterday. When we extended our stay in England, Erin and I flew home in January as originally planned, while Dave and Chris stayed here because the new term was starting. Now that it's half term, Chris finally gets to spend a week in Baltimore. Dave wanted to be there for Youth Sunday at our church, and that - very conveniently - is a week from today. That leaves me in charge of a very quiet flat. (Yup, it's a rough life....)
So here is the obligatory bus photo. (It's usually called a coach around here to distinguish it from a local city bus.)
The coach pulled out of its space (marked by white lines) at 9:30, drove past the train station...
...and off it went to Heathrow. (The back of the coach is by the pedestrian subway that goes under the station and leads right to the town centre.) The good news is that Dave and Chris arrived at the airport over 2 hours before their flight was scheduled to depart. The bad news is that the plane took off over 2 hours late. I must admit that when our stay is done in June, I am not going to miss London Heathrow....
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Changing the Guard
Strictly speaking, there is no "of." From August through March, the guard change ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place every other day. (The nearby horse guards ceremony takes place daily throughout the year.) According to the official website (www.changing-the-guard.com), "due to shortages on most days in February the guard change will not be performed by the usual guards in their red tunics." But that didn't diminish the winter crowds, and scheduled for the 11th were the 47 Regiment Royal Artillery and the Band of the Welsh Guards. The people standing by the fence got a better view of the guard change itself, while those of us standing by the Queen Victoria Memorial (behind me) got a better view before and after.
The bands and the guards arrived by the side gates, and departed by the center gates. The first band to leave turned to my left...
...as did the guards, and all of them headed toward the Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk.
The second band turned to my right, as did the guards...
...and all of them headed down The Mall. (I'm now standing on the opposite side of the memorial, with my back to it and Buckingham Palace.) Maybe some day I'll go in really early to get one of those front row spots by the fence....
The bands and the guards arrived by the side gates, and departed by the center gates. The first band to leave turned to my left...
...as did the guards, and all of them headed toward the Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk.
The second band turned to my right, as did the guards...
...and all of them headed down The Mall. (I'm now standing on the opposite side of the memorial, with my back to it and Buckingham Palace.) Maybe some day I'll go in really early to get one of those front row spots by the fence....
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Blue Monday
But I mean that in a good sense! It's been unusually sunny and mild all week, with temperatures in the low 50s. So on Monday I spent most of my day in London outside. I'm sure I've posted pictures of the London Eye before, but it's the first major landmark I come to after leaving Waterloo Station, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of this view, especially on such a beautiful day.
I headed west to stand by the Queen Victoria Memorial and watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. (More on that in my next blog entry.)
Afterwards I continued walking west, and I would have climbed the Wellington Arch (free to English Heritage members, which we are for the year), but it was closed for the day.
So instead I ventured even further west and popped into the Victoria and Albert Museum to find a loo and see the Raphael Cartoons. I had heard that the collections are outstanding, and that is very true. I now plan to spend a whole day at the V&A...when it rains. But on Monday I quickly returned outside and was soon circling the Royal Albert Hall.
Directly across the street from it, at the edge of Kensington Gardens, is the recently restored Albert Memorial. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert certainly continue to be well loved by their country!
Finally, I turned around and headed back east toward the Thames via Piccadilly Circus...
...and the statue of Eros. Happy Valentine's Day!
I headed west to stand by the Queen Victoria Memorial and watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. (More on that in my next blog entry.)
Afterwards I continued walking west, and I would have climbed the Wellington Arch (free to English Heritage members, which we are for the year), but it was closed for the day.
So instead I ventured even further west and popped into the Victoria and Albert Museum to find a loo and see the Raphael Cartoons. I had heard that the collections are outstanding, and that is very true. I now plan to spend a whole day at the V&A...when it rains. But on Monday I quickly returned outside and was soon circling the Royal Albert Hall.
Directly across the street from it, at the edge of Kensington Gardens, is the recently restored Albert Memorial. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert certainly continue to be well loved by their country!
Finally, I turned around and headed back east toward the Thames via Piccadilly Circus...
...and the statue of Eros. Happy Valentine's Day!
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