Saturday-

Got up too late for breakfast! After 10:00!

I guess we were tired.

Annie came over and we went to Valerie's Patisserie for breakfast. Ham and cheese croissants and Kathy had a cinnamon roll. Very nice and some classic posters of the Monte Carlo Gran Prix on the wall.

Annie's flat is the one in the middle.

 London's Transportation is every thing they say it is. Great!

The Tube is fabulous. Goes everywhere you want to go and you never (rarely) wait more than 5 minutes. Most of the time a train was approaching as we topped the steps to the platform. The tube maps are very easy to understand and Andrea even pointed out that the grab rails and seat of the different lines are color coded to the line (i.e., District is Green, Circle is yellow, Picadilly is Blue). Very nice job!

Old tube poster

We learned to love this map!

 

Portobello Road Market

 

Didn't see Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts but the area is quite nice. Interesting stuff, got Dylan a bottle of Guinness (about a 1" bottle), and saw some old tin posters of British cars and lots of antiques.

The book said-

"Despite Portobello's worldwide fame, and the gentrification of once-bohemian Notting Hill, a Saturday outing here is still rewarding, mainly because of the market's glorious diversity. This is really several markets rolled into one: the top end is of most interest to antiques buffs, with objets, jewelry, coins and medals, paintings, silverware and other collectibles. Further down the hill is a fruit and veg market (Mon-Sat), where prices are generally low. The next change comes under the Westway, where food gives way to clothes (second-hand and by young designers), jewelry, records and books. From here up to Golborne Road, the market becomes increasingly rundown, though it's still worth a look for bargains, and there are some great Portuguese cafés down here."

 

The Portobello Market Shop where I bought the tiny bottle of Guinness

 

Kathy and Annie in the midst of the market.

 

 

Lots of folks

A Notting Hill Tea Shack

Annie explained that these green shacks (some still operating) provided hot tea at night for the London taxi drivers. The big black London taxi's are multi-colored now but apparently the taxi drivers must pass a very rigorous test and are quite proud and highly regarded for their knowledge of the city.

 

Big Ben and Parliament Building

On the bridge

The parliament building, appearing to be built right out of the Thames, is quite impressive. And of course the trivia question is that "Big Ben" refers not to the clock but to the bell in the clock tower.

Parliament

Parliament

Big Ben

 

 

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey

We walked by Westminster Abbey but it was closed for tours till Monday. We thought we might go back but never did.

Westminster Abbey

An architectural masterpiece of the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, Westminster Abbey also presents a unique pageant of British history - the Confessor's Shrine, the tombs of Kings and Queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other Royal occasions. Today it is still a church dedicated to regular worship and to the celebration of great events in the life of the nation. Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey is a "royal peculiar" under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject only to the Sovereign.

Among the most famous ceremonies that occurred in the Norman Abbey were the coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas day, 1066, a grim proceeding which taxed all his resources of nerve and endurance and the canonization of Edward the Confessor in 1161.

Every monarch, since William the Conqueror with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII was crowned in the Abbey. Over three thousand people are either buried or memorialized in Westminster Abbey. Notable among these is the Unknown Warrior, whose grave, close to the west door, has become a place of pilgrimage.

Westminster Abbey Rose Window

Little remains of the original medieval stained glass, once one of the Abbey's chief glories. The great west window and the rose window in the north transept date from the early eighteenth century.

Detail above Westminster Abbey door

I have no idea!

 

 

 

Walking towards Trafalgar Square

Walked up to Trafalgar Square, past 10 Downing street, also saw the banquet hall, horse parade grounds and then the Lord Nelson statue in Trafalgar sq.

 

Sherlock?!

Downing street. The dark colored building on the right is #10.

Horse Parade Grounds

 

 

Trafalgar Square

Nelson

 "England expects every man to do his duty."

Trafalgar Sq detail

Kathy & Annie in Trafalgar Square

In Trafalgar Sq.

Trafalgar Sq detail

Annie & Steve in Trafalgar Square

Theater

Came back to the hotel and changed for dinner and a play. Annie wanted to go to some Mexican restaurant in Liechester Sq. but the wait was too long (45 min). Instead went to Wagamamas, a noodle house which was quite good actually.

 

Wagamamas a London noodle house chain

Saw the play (a musical) Notre Dame. It's the hunchback story. It was more of a dance production than a play. Elaborate choreography with gymnasts climbing (dancing) on the cathedral wall, swinging from suspended bells and rappelling down the walls. And very gymnastic break-dancing!

Didn't get very good reviews but we liked it.

Notre Dame de Paris

Friday
Our Hotel
Annie's flat
Hyde Park
Kennsignton Palace
Saturday
Portobello
Westminster Abbey
Parliament
Big Ben
Trafalgar
Sunday
Windsor Castle
Monday
Tower of London
Tuesday
St. Paul's
Natural History museum
Wednesday
Buckingham Palace
Kew Gardens
V&A museum
Complete works of Shakespeare

 

Our Trip