London Swings To Its Own Beat!

London Swings To Its Own Beat!

Stepping out!

The very long and dreary winter of 2013 was finally put to rest by the arrival of that most beautiful of months, May...that month that awakes in us all, new hopes and dreams, and of course, the thirst for new horizons.

Hyde Park and the London Eye

Linda and I were no exception. We were yearning for a voyage of adventure, rediscovery, and reunion and on May 1st, set out for Europe. On the first leg of our trip, we stayed with our good friends

 Jeremy and Rebecca, who for the past three years have been living, working, and studying in London and were more than ready to open our eyes to their new home.

What to say about this metropolis that sits right on the Prime Meridian?

Tower Bridge

Is it really the centre of the world?....Certainly more than one Londoner would have you think so.

London City Hall.
Hello, Boris, it's Charles.

Occupying a space of 1,570 km², some would say the city is sprawling. But one should first take a look at what you'll find in this royal city of contrasts, this modern Babylon of 8 million people, where alone so many French live that it's France's 6th largest city. 

Saint Paul's Cathedral

It is even said that every word of every language in the world can be heard here. In a word, London has become illimitable and infinite.
London seduces. And of her ability to hold you spellbound, Samuel Johnson said it best as far back as 1777:


“Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."

$60 a couple for the
Westminster Tour?!!!!

Oh! And à propos, “afford”, look out!!! London is a very expensive mistress...especially should you want to discover the depth of her treasures and pleasures!

Bad???  Can you see the horns?

But, what we enjoyed most was the company of our wonderful hosts, Jeremy and Rebecca, and their unbridled enthusiasm for their new city.

Didn't spill one!

After settling in, a good meal, great conversation, and a good night's sleep, we were soon underway the next morning

Linda asking about the pony tail.

....after a great breakfast

...and by way of the “tube”, of course.

We emerged at Paddington, and set course by foot for Hyde Park...

...then to Towering Big Ben...

..followed by the Horse Guards Parade.......  

Nice horsie,
Yes, I like you too.

Tea and crumpets would be lovely, mam!

......and on to Buckingham Palace. 

We saw it all. 

Linda is mystified.
How does this Busker do it?
Look at the spectators....
Got any theories?

Oh, the beer on a day like this.

An incredibly interesting stroll down the South Bank of the Themes 

and back to Piccadilly left us thirsty and....

Where's the Beef?

with a huge appetite for Italian at Leicester Square. What a day! 

Once back home, we enjoyed some wonderful New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a game of “Rummi Kub”     (a great game).

-I can beat you at Rummi Kub!
-Ah, no you can't!!!

So hungry, we could
eat a horse.

On Day III, another masterful breakfast had us pumped for another action packed day. Rebecca had it all planned out. 

First, a walk down a quiet and atmospheric waterway, Regent's Canal...

....then through Little Venice, where we struck upon the fabulous Regent Canal Narrow Boat Festival, and ended up at Camden Locks, 

...famous for its Camden Market, a labyrinth of incredible shops and booths of every type, music to listen to, and plenty of food made right before your eyes.  

Jeremy's favourite place is called "Bang Bang Chicken".  The owner has a gruff baritone voice. 

That night, after a great meal of good ol'hamburgers, we took in some music and the tube home.  My favorite new phrase is now “Mind the gap”, a caution that you hear each time the tube car doors open. After an evening of games and wine, I pressed my shirt for church. Life is good!!

On Tour Day III, Sunday, we were up at the crack of dawn. High mass at Westminster Abbey, that traditional place of coronation and burial site for British monarchs, and good seats came to those who queued up early. It was well worth it. For 90 minutes, we were witness to the epitome of Anglican High Mass ritual and to the work of the world's best Anglican choir.

It took our collective breath away. What a privilege to have been a part of it.

Our next stop was Green Park for a leisurely picnic! There is no doubt that Londoners love their parks and make good use of them.

As a book end to morning mass, we went to a early evening musical at the theatre. It was “Jersey Boys”! Needless to say, we were bopping up and down in our seats! The quality of the performance was absolutely remarkable.

After a meal of British Fish and Chips, we made our way back home, enjoyed the rest of our evening planning our last full day in London.

Tour Day IV found us slow to get out of the starting blocks. A late rise, a wonderful

breakfast on the balcony, and lots of odd jobs (I got my pictures ready for a slide show), had us leaving the house around one.

 We walked all the way to Uxbridge along the Grand Union Canal 

......after which we took the tube to Harrow on the Hill, one of Jeremy and Rebecca's all time favourite haunts in London and once their residence. With all its beautiful

homes, private schools, old pubs, and lovely churches and restaurants, it was like a trip into old British history. 

 Neat too was the perspective that we had of London from what must be the highest point in the city!

That night, we said our goodbyes as Jeremy and Rebecca would both be up very early and off to work.

Later that morning, we were off to Heathrow....destination Bonn, Germany.  

Thanks to you both for a great time.

That is not Big Ben in the foreground.
Do you know what it is?
Big Ben is holding up the rear here.

Big Ben Facts: Did you know that:

• Each dial is seven metres in diameter
• The minute hands are 4.2 metres long and weigh about 100 kg (including counterweights)
• The numbers are approximately 60 cm long
• There are 312 pieces of glass in each clock dial
• A special light above the clock faces is illuminated when parliament is in session
• Big Ben's timekeeping is strictly regulated by a stack of coins placed on the huge pendulum.
• Big Ben has rarely stopped. Even after a bomb destroyed the Commons chamber during the Second World War, the clock tower survived and Big Ben continued to strike the hours.
• The chimes of Big Ben were first broadcast by the BBC on 31 December 1923, a tradition that continues to this day.
• In June 2012 the House of Commons announced that the clock tower was to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Bye for now!