Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - Going Tubing for the Day

Yep - that's right.  We went Tubing today -  that's taking the underground (a/k/a the "tube") to every spot we were going to see. 

Thank goodness for the underground.  It was a bit confusing to begin with - I can count on one hand how many times I've ridden public transportation as an adult, so it was a learning experience for the both of us.  We took it everywhere, but BEWARE - if you get a day pass to ride the tube - make sure your pass is NOT next to you cell phone.  The cell phone will demagnetize the card.  I only got to use is properly once before I ruined it.  :)  So every time I had to enter or exit another underground station, I had to show my pass to the staffer and they had to let me through the turnstile with their own security.  Talk about embarrassing - it must be a known problem or at least they are accommodating to foreigners.  :)  The below picture is one we took after our first successful trip with the tube.  (Just remember...if you have trouble seeing the pictures because of their size simply click on them to see them in full size.)


No, I do not have bad of a receding hairline yet....a train had just passed before John took this picture.  :)

Next it was on to Abbey Road and I sure hope I do not have to explain what Abbey Road is.to anyone reading this blog.  :)  John has been looking forward to this crossing since we began planning this trip.  So very glad he was able to fulfill this goal.  Here he is crossing with another group of folks trying to mimic the iconic image.  Londoners in this section of the city must have a lot of patience to put up with tourists.  That group of 3 ladies standing before John....well they tried it three times before they got the right picture they wanted.  John was simply walking the walk.  :)

Here are a few pictures of the actual studio entrance.  The public was not allowed beyond the gate.

Here are some more incredible structures from the St. John Wood District.

We hopped back on the Tube for a short ride to Baker Street.  A very special person asked me a while ago that if we got to this particular area on our trip, if I could take a picture of 221B Baker Street.  Well, I just couldn't pass that up.  Those of you who are sleuths or like the present-day tv show Elementary will know what this photo means.  :)

Our next tube ride was to Hyde Park, one of the Royal Parks in London.  Lots of things to see here, so I'm just going to let the pictures speak for themselves, with very limited journaling by me.

Momma and her babies.

This one cracks me up!  LOL!

A bird's eye view of the birds.  :)

The next attraction in Hyde Park was one that I have been waiting to see.  The Princess Diana Memorial Gardens and Fountain.  And it was spectacular.  It has three different designs where the water flows in both directions and is one created for the public to fully enjoy.  It was adorable watching little girls walk through the water with their dresses pulled up a bit so they wouldn't get wet.  And then there were the boys....you know....boys will be boys.  :)

 

At the other end of Hyde Park is Princess Diana's home - Kensington Palace.  Even though it was quite the walk there (no tube service through the park), I just couldn't pass up seeing it.

Roses which were the same species my mom had outside of their home.

Front entrance to Kensington Palace

Queen Victoria

John and I in front of the pond before Kensington Palace

Full view of the palace

Our last site in Hyde Park (and one we did not anticipate seeing) was this enormous (almost obnoxious) memorial to Prince Albert - Queen Victoria's husband.  It had a Cesar-like, narcissistic  appearance and was truly a site to behold.

After catching the Tube to another area to pick up a Hard Rock Cafe' t-shirt for one of John's co-workers, we finally made our way back to our hotel room for only a little while because we had an evening tour planned. 

Both of us are besotted with true crime stories - and what significant unsolved crime of all time in London?  The U.S. may have Ted Bundy, the Zodiac Killer, the Green River Killer, (yeah, the list goes on and on) but London has Jack the Ripper - murders back in September - November 1888.  Never solved - only speculated as to whom he was.  The tour took us through more of the sites around London and ended up in the "killing fields" of Jack the Ripper.  The majority of the locations where he committed the murders are now modernized expect for one location and we were taken to that location.  Now is turned into eateries and bars, but the buildings are the same and the alley is the same---very tiny and dark...very eerie.

This ended our stay in London.  On Wednesday we travel to other places.  :)

Monday, May 29 2017 -- The "Hunky Dory" City

Monday May 29, 2017

Memorial Day in the US - a day given to thought and gratitude to those who have fought on foreign lands and gave their lives to protect one of our most treasured human rights -- to be free.  Thank you soldiers for what you have sacrificed and have paid the ultimate price.  We have not forgotten.

It was somewhat different not seeing an American flag flying on this day.  But that doesn't mean John and I didn't acknowledge what this day is all about.  Its been great seeing all of the Facebook posts today of parades, family gatherings and other special moments depicting scenes of how freedom is celebrated in our great country by those we love and miss. 

It was all about walking today - a lot of walking!  But it was perfect way to spend the day.  We had a few rain drops, but nothing we couldn't handle.  Even stopped at McDonalds to split a burger and down a soda. 

We started out walking to Westminster Bridge which goes over the Thames River.  (If you have trouble seeing the pictures, click on them to enlarge for a better view).

It wasn't too long ago where an incredible act of terrorism took the lives of 4 people and injured so many more.  Several of these memorials were placed along the bridge.

We didn't get the chance, but it is back on our agenda tomorrow - to catch the London Eye....maybe.. :)

One cannot go along the Westminster Bridge and not see the House of Parliament and Big Ben.  Every quarter hour, Big Ben chimed.

Please forgive me --- I did not wish to fight the humidity today and possible rain.  So I simply added gel to my hair and away we went.  Not one of my more prouder moments.  :)

I love this shot John was able to take with the camera on his phone.  Great shot of Big Ben!

The structures in this capitol city are impressive, massive, and just simply incredible to behold.  No picture can do it all justice.  I couldn't resist just taking a photo of some of the buildings with all its columns, doors, flying buttresses, and immense size.  After crossing the Westminster Bridge, we came upon a park with massive statutes of stately British officials.  Of course, this one is the most obvious.

The building across the street from this was the Churchill War Rooms and Imperial War Museum.

Like Washington D.C., London has memorials of its heroes from different wars.  I felt it only fitting to capture some of them.

Remembering WWI

"Monty"

Viscount Montgomery

A memorial of uniforms of service women of WWII.

Memorializing the British armed services during WWI

Not too far down we came across the Horse Guard Parade Grounds.  John was able to get a couple of great shots, one even turned to look specifically at John while he was taking the picture.  :)

We finally made our way to Trafalgar Square.

Not realizing it, but the National Gallery was close by, so we made our way to there, catching a few sites along the way. 

In front of the National Gallery

This just made us laugh.  I think this should replace the current Facebook thumbs up emoji. 

John with Yoda!  :)

Kids were just loving this one! 

Since the National Gallery is free (for the most part) well, we just couldn't pass that up.  Interestingly, photos were not prohibited.  The section I truly wanted to see was closed off for renovation.  We got lost and a very nice staffer told us that we couldn't get to see those painting and that they were literally stacked on top of each other.  I just cannot imagine great works of art by Raphael, da Vinci, van Gogh and others piled up (insert shocked emoji here).  I was, however, lucky enough to photograph a few Monet's and van Gogh's and others. 

 

This one was my favorite -- probably because I can relate.  :)

Once outside the gallery we decided to make our way to Buckingham Palace, but along the way we encountered a few chalk artists creating this incredible picture.  Of course we had to place a few coins on Old Glory.

We walked along the Mall all the way down to the Buckingham Palace.  I just marveled at all of the beautiful trees --- HUGE trees that the city has maintained.  Gorgeous trees one would think had to exist at the time of WWII.  So beautiful.

Admiralty Arch

(archway to the walkway to the palace)

It appears the Queen is in residence today.

Before the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace

Statute of Queen Victoria (I recognize that stoic face anywhere!)  :)

Sitting on the steps below Queen Victoria's statue looking towards the park near the palace.

View of Queen Victoria statue, Buckingham Palace and the Union Jack.

Just a few shots of some incredible structures while working our way back toward

Westminster Bridge

John wanted to get some shots of 10 Downing Street, but unfortunately there was no access allowed.

We finished our day with a slow walk down to Westminster Abbey

After 7 hours of walking around London, we felt it was time to give ourselves a rest and head back to the hotel.  Tomorrow's a new day...a day we are going to try the underground Tube to get around to outer parts of the city.  Wish us luck!!  :)