That's the Gothic ceiling of the stunning Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey, above. It's one of the places we visited yesterday, on a day devoted to London tourism.
I met up with my brother's family in the late morning and we bought tickets for one of those open-top tour buses that roll around the city, taking in all the main sights. Dave and I have found that these buses are a great way to get the lay of the land and at least a glimpse of all the major sights, and then you've got some information to decide what you'd like to revisit. We recommend them to all our visitors.
Our tour began uneventfully. We picked up the bus in Holborn and went eastward, along Ludgate Hill and past St. Paul's. I was amused by this couple sitting in front of me, the man with his "Quality Milk Producers" fleece and the woman with her cow headscarf. I detect a theme.
Then, as we approached London Bridge, crazy weather! Everyone fled the top deck of the bus, including my brother and his family. Only I and the woman with the cow scarf stayed put, and I at least had an umbrella. She must have been soaked. I didn't do too badly -- my seat stayed dry because I was in it and my umbrella sheltered most of my body.
We rode the bus over the Tower Bridge and past the Tower of London, and thought we might get off there, but it didn't stop. Only then did we realize we have to hit the "stop" button, just like on a city bus, so we got off at Embankment instead and ate at a pub near the Temple.
Then we caught the bus again and took it to Westminster, where we checked out Big Ben and went into the Abbey.
I've been to Westminster Abbey several times before, but every time I go I'm astonished. The graves of Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots! Of Edward the Confessor and multiple medieval kings! Chaucer is there, in Poet's Corner, along with graves and monuments to many other famous writers. It really is a mind-blowing place.
The figure above is Joan, one of the 12 children of Edward III originally depicted on the side of his tomb. (Only six of them are still there.) He died in 1377. Amazing.
From there we walked across Westminster Bridge to the London Eye. The line wasn't too long and although my brother wasn't crazy about the idea (he doesn't enjoy heights), my niece really wanted to ride it. So we bought tickets and took a spin.
I noticed the LGBTQ+ Pride flag on the white building at lower left in the image above. We've seen Pride flags in lots of places, I assume because this is Pride month. I'm happy to live in a country where such things are still celebrated.
Remarkable views, as always! I think my niece was pleased.
From there, my brother's family took the tour bus back toward their hotel and I caught the tube home. There was another tube strike yesterday but it didn't affect us much, fortunately -- the line I needed to get home was still running. (This was a very strange strike, with some lines open and some shut down, apparently depending on which union represents the workers.)
Today is our visitors' last full day in London, and they're going to spend it at our place in West Hampstead. Home sweet home!
Have a lovely final day with family - you really have done all the tourist sites!
ReplyDeleteThe sightseeing buses really are a good way to get one's bearings and ideas about what to take a closer look at, I find. It's been a long time since I've been to London "properly" - other than crossing the road between Kings Cross and St. Pancras to catch a train, I mean. Your post has made me want to maybe plan an overnight stay next time my sister and I travel to or from Yorkshire.
ReplyDeleteThose strikes really sound a bit strange. I very much hope there won't be any railway strike in late July, when we'll depend on the LNER!
Only six of Edward's children are still there? Have the rest been stolen? I had no idea what I was looking at in the first photo and had a DUH! moment when you said ceiling.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have an open top bus going around Adelaide, but haven't seen it in years. The view from The Eye is great.
Sometimes it’s great to have [good] company just so you can be a tourist in your own city. The cow scarf in the rain. Cows do NOT know when to come in out of the rain. They’ll even stare right into a blizzard. So, no suprise there. Westminster Abbey is one of those places you could go a dozen times and still not see it all. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteYour photo of the Abbey ceiling is splendid. I lived and worked in London for most of my life only moving away in retirement and Westminster Abbey has always been one of my most favourite places to visit, so rich in history. I hope your brother and his family have enjoyed their stay, you have certainly showed them some sights. Pity it has been wet but maybe that was better than the heat of the week before. I am sure you will all enjoy their last day here together in your home. Wishing them a safe journey back to their home. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThere's some very nice photos in this post. I don't know how you got the river photo. I can't remember having that view. The hop on hop off bus is a great way to see the sights in London, until it gets stuck in traffic in Kensington.
ReplyDeleteYou have been a great tour guide Steve... even though you neglected to bring Walter and his family up here to Yorkshire. I hope they go home to Jacksonville with good memories of their time in southern England and I further hope that there are no unexpected issues with their flight home.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've done well with your visitors, showing them all the good sights, it's a shame the weather was conspiring against you. An open top bus ride is a good way to see the highlights of a city, we did it Paris, but Alan fell asleep five minutes into the journey. Then he was amazed when I kept quoting facts about places, as we travelled around the city over the next few days.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if you've had some rainy weather in the midst of your sightseeing. I went on the eye the last time I was in London. I have a fear of heights myself, but this didn't bother me so much. When I went to Westminster Abbey, I was in awe.
ReplyDeleteYour brother and family are like you -- see allll the things! It sounds like a good trip for them.
ReplyDeleteYour brother has had an enjoyable visit and a truly touristic view of some of England. Enjoy your last day with him and his family.
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