Chapter 5 - London

I thought I was in for a comfortable overnight flight as there was an empty seat beside me. No such luck, ,just after takeoff a huge man changed seats and plonked himself down overflowing into my space! Here I was all scrunched up against the wall, feeling sorry for myself. Worse was to come, too gross to mention in polite company. I wrapped myself in a blanket pulled it over my head and put as much distance between us as possible. Not the best flight I experienced in my travels. Very little sleep.

Heathrow Airport.

Here I am in London. Cold. 14 degrees and raining. 9-10-88

After finding my way to St. Paul's Cathedral (the hostel was just behind, according to my directions) I was hopelessly lost. After receiving rather vague information I walked forever only to be told on arrival that the place closed between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm. I was tired and cranky by then, (after the flight from hell) but hearing the bells of St. Pauls, traced my way back there and was treated to a beautiful service, choir, organ, the works.

In a much better frame of mind I settled in to the Carter Lane hostel where I met Janelle another lovely person who is still my friend today. Janelle, like me was recovering from a divorce, we were travelling in opposite directions. She is a native born Texan living in Lubbock very happily married now. She often invites me over to stay, maybe one day I will surprise you and land on your doorstep my sister in travel.

Janelle.

This building was the former Old St. Paul's choir school, built 1876.

Carter Lane Hostel.
No wonder I couldn't find it hidden in a laneway.

An unusual view of St. Paul's Cathedral. South East aspect.

The post card view.

This is said to be the fifth St. Pauls, all built on the same site since 604 AD and at 365 feet was the tallest building in London from 1710 -1962. The dome is one of the highest in the world.

First stop Buckingham Palace. Here we go again! Which way? Then I spotted these smartly dressed men marching along the road. Surely they are off to work, so I fell in behind them.

As we marched along an old song came to mind, based on a poem by A A Milne.....

. They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace.
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
A face looked out but it wasn't the king's.
'He's too busy a-signing things,'
says Alice.

The Queen must have been busy a - signing things, no glimpse of her at the window!

I can't believe the pomp and ceremony that goes on surrounding the Royal Family, but the whole thing is a tourist drawcard and worth the outlay to the British taxpayer they say.

Another old song kept running through my head (no Louise I didn't sing my way around London you will be pleased to know! I did a lot of hummimg to myself.)

The changing of the guard.

Have you been to London ? Are you going to London?
if you go to London I'll tell you what you must do.
Walk down the streets take in the treats, do all the usual things.
And if your spouse is keen on houses why not show him the Kings..

Go down the mall to Buckingham Palace and

There you'll see the Changing of the Guard,
stand maybe within the palace yard ,
but if your plea to enter fails
you press your noses to the rails
and watch from there the changing of the guard.

My plea to enter failed so I pressed my nose to the rails.

and watched from there the Changing of the Guard.

Monday 10th. Time now to see more famous sites.

Statistics showed a few years ago that over two million people travelled by underground rail into the city each day. That number would have increased considerably by now. Just imagine.I am old enough to remember when the entire population of Australia was seven million.

The Tower Bridge.

I believe that when the Americans purchased London Bridge they thought they were buying this magnificent structure, but London Bridge is quite ordinary. Never underestimate the Brits!

An artist's impression.

Next stop Westminster Abbey.

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament,

Trafalger Square.

Picadilly Circus.

Walked along the embankment and admired the Thames.

I then took a bus tour and saw them all again.

I decided to have my lunch at St. James Park with the ducks and geese only to find the birds wanting to share my sandwich. There was a group of Japanese tourists taking photos and laughing at the sight and took this one for me. The birds were actually trying to sit on my lap, I had to keep feeding them crumbs to stop them.

The park borders St. James Palace and Buckingham Palace.It is hard to believe it was once a swampy meadow centuries ago, now rolling lawns are home to ducks geese and pelicans. I'm glad I never had to share with PELICANS!

Tuesday 11th.

Another good day.I tried out the tube, no worries there. First stop Baker Street( home of Sherlock Holmes) to Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum.That lived up to my expectations.The Chamber of Horrors was terrifying, one expected Jack the Ripper to jump out at any minute as you make your way through dimly lit cobblestone streets, peering in the windows of the taverns and houses that lined the narrow lanes and seeing the lifelike people inside.

The Grand Hall brings together the world's most famous characters alive and dead. Pose beside your favourite for a photo shoot, a lot of fun.

Playing a duet with Chopin. He was most impressed.

Another duet , this time with Elvis.

Who could forget the much loved Gandhi?

Spot the dummy!

Now to look for Charles Dicken's Old Curiosity Shop somewhere in Westminster.It dates back to the sixteenth century and is said to be made using the wood from old ships. At one time it functioned as a dairy on an estate given by King Charles the Second to one of his many mistresses. Surviving the bombing in the second world war, it is now closed and boarded up. I was able to go upstairs where the the floor sloped down to one corner. Maybe it became a hazard. I hope it isn't demolished in the future.

Off now to do some serious(?) shopping at Harrods! On my budget?!

The Food Hall, Harrods.

I really think I spent a little more than that, judging by the bags.

Of course I had to walk the Monopoly board, then off to the tower to see the Crown Jewels. One look at the queue quickly quenched my desire. I hate queues and anyway I've seen all that bling on T V.

The Tower of London.

Twinings Tea Shop.

It was here in 1706 that the famous company of R.Twining was founded. It is the oldest and I think the smallest shop in the city of Westminster, trading in the same site, with the same family and the same product- tea and coffee.

They received a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria.

After a busy day I found time to see the Agatha Christie play,The Mousetrap which has been running continuously in the West End at St. Martin's Theatre since 1952. As of April 2008 it had clocked up 23,074 performances.

In the world's worst film deal the movie rights were sold in 1956 with the proviso that the film could not be made until the end of the London stage run. The two British producers who paid $5ooo are long dead. That would have been frustration with a capitol F!

St. Martin's Theatre. West End.

A family tradition was unwittingly started by daughter Gaye who attended in 1977- Louise in '88- me in 88-Louise again in 94-2006-08 and niece Bernadette last year 2009. Who knows who the next family member will be and will it still be running?

The London leg of my journey has now come to a close. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the famous tourist spots.

Now I'm off to Constable country to fulfil another dream. Tick! So with back pack all ready I head to the train station to use my Britrail pass for the first time.

DEDHAM ESSEX-- EAST BERGHOLT SUFFOLK.