London Miscellany

30 St Mary Axe (AKA: The Gherkin) : London, UK

Just a few random, final shots of London--The Gherkin, Tower Bridge, and a double-decker. I'm not sure why London (derisively) calls this "The Gherkin". I think it's quite beautiful and  reminiscent of a Fabergé egg. (Well, maybe not as ornate and gaudy, but still rather unique and lovely.)

Tower Bridge No. 3 : London, UK

Double-decker : Near St. Paul's : London, UK

You can't have been to London and not snapped at least one picture of a double-decker bus. After the red phone booths, this is probably the most iconic symbol of all things British. This is an older model. Most of these type of buses are now sleek, modern, aerodynamic vehicles.

That's it for London! Looking forward to a return trip.

Thanks to Carmen for hosting us and to friends, Scott and Diana for joining us for a fun-filled long weekend. Also, it was great to visit with Maya's cousins, Jan and Marcella and their daughters and to see friend Hilary. And, a huge thanks to British expat friends, Penny and Andy, who lent us their Oyster cards and provided advice on shopping and dining.

Cheerio!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge No. 1 : London, UK

There really is a London Bridge in London, but this--contrary to popular belief--isn't it. This, in fact, is Tower Bridge. We were too late for the Beefeater tour, so again, another thing to add to the "Next Time" list. Until my visit to London, I'd only ever seen photos of Tower Bridge. I don't remember these blue accents from other photos, so I don't know whether they're new or if the bridge has always looked like this. Either way, it's quite lovely.

 Tower Bridge No. 2 : London, UK

Home Sweet Home : Tower Bridge : London, UK

I don't know if you can see it, but there's a nest on the back of that gargoyle, which I thought was really cool! I don't know what kind of winged creature lives there, but s/he's gotta be one awesome bird!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Self-Portraits

Self-Portrait at St. Paul's : London, UK

Proof positive I was in London! I think these are the only photos Maya and I took together. For a couple of photographers, we're sometimes really lousy about making sure we take pictures that feature the sights and our mugs. Kind of lame, really!

Smudged Self-Portrait : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

St Paul's Cathedral Up Close

St. Paul's Cathedral : London, UK

Again, the weather wasn't great for photography. These are just basic pictures of the exterior of St. Paul's Cathedral. Nothing too exciting, but at least I can say I was there...

St. Paul's Detail : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Bridge Views

Millennium Bridge LOS St. Paul's Cathedral : London, UK

I know it's July 4th and all and I should post something patriotic, but I already posted a photo of the U.S. Embassy. Happy Birthday, America! Looking good at 235.

Tower Bridge and Catamaran on the Thames : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

100 Unnamed Strangers: Busker on the Bank

Busker on the Bank : London, UK

This busker was playing the Blues on the banks of the Thames across from St Paul's. I wanted to get a better shot of his face, but felt I was being a bit too intrusive, especially as I'd spent a bit of time trying to frame him with St. Paul's in the background. I gave him a few quid for letting me photograph him.

Hands of the Busker on the Bank : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Tea Time!

Tea Time at the Tate : London, UK

Half way through our touristing, we had tea at the Tate Modern. We had the Earl Grey with scones, clotted cream, and raspberry jam. It was yummy!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

St Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral and the London Millennium Footbridge : London, UK

In seeing St. Paul's across the Thames, all I could think of were two things: this very famous photo of St. Paul's during the Blitz in World War II and the lyrics to the Disney adaptation of P.L. Travers' Mary Poppins, "Feed the Birds". As it was a Sunday, we weren't able to go inside. But again, perhaps on the next trip.

St. Paul's, the Bridge, and a tourist ferry on the Thames : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Release Ai Wei Wei

 As seen on the Tate Modern : London, UK

Friend Penny Andrea said we had to go to the Tate Modern to see the building, enjoy the views, and have afternoon tea, so that's what we did. (Note: We didn't have time for the art. Next trip.) The Tate is housed in what was once an electric plant. On the outside, there is a sign demanding the freedom of Chinese dissident artist Ai Wei Wei. (Ironically, a few days after this photo was taken, Mr. Ai was freed. He had no comments for the press, who had followed and reported his incarceration and release.)

Tate Stack : London, UK

Celebrate Your Ability, Give Priority : Inside the Tate Modern : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Eye See You

Vertical Detail : London Eye : London, UK

Nothing all that exciting here. Again, just some tourist snaps. The weather, as stated previously, was crap and we only had a few hours to see all the must-sees. A return trip is definitely in order!

Eye on the Thames : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Parliament

Parliament : London, UK

Just a couple of pictures of Parliament. As it was a Sunday, the Houses of Lords and Commons were not in session. Again, the photos aren't all that exciting, because the weather was pretty crappy and we were pressed for time. It was literally point-and-shoot!

Also Parliament : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Mr Lincoln in London

Saint-Gauden's statue of Lincoln in Parliament Square : London, UK

As we were headed for Westminster Abbey, we stumbled upon this statue of American president Abraham Lincoln in Parliament Square. Again, the light was horrible and this was the best I could do. Anyone who knows me knows I love Lincoln! It was quite a treat to find my favorite president featured in the City of London. I tried to find more information about how Mr Lincoln came to be in London, but the National Archives' site was down for the evening.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Telephone

Fancy a chat? : Telephone Booth near Parliament : London, UK

Of course, it isn't a trip to England if you don't take a picture of one of these, right? Talk about iconic! It's nice to see, while other cities are losing their phone booths and pay phones, London continues to hold on to theirs despite the proliferation of mobile phones!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Perfect Perch

Perfect Perch in St James Park : London, UK

What better activity than to read in a park on a Sunday afternoon? This young lady found the perfect perch under a tree in St James Park. I had hoped to catch her in the actual act of reading, but she looked up just as I snapped my picture.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Big Ben

Big Ben, as seen from Constitution Hill near
Buckingham Palace : London, UK

London is known for Tower Bridge (mistakenly called London Bridge) and Big Ben. We saw it from Constitution Hill as we approached Buckingham Palace at around 1:00 and then up close and personal at around 2:00. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast and the light was awful, so these photos are pretty average. I'd love to go back, though, and shoot this iconic building at dusk or early in the morning, when the light is deep blue and the building is bathed in light.

Big Ben : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

As Seen from St James Park

 Unknown Scene from St James Park : London, UK

Just off the Mall is St James Park. I have no clue what we're looking at here in the top photo, but it was kind of pretty, so I snapped a picture. My best guess, based on satellite photos on Google Maps is, the Household Cavalry Museum on the left, but who knows? Of course, that round thing peeking above the trees is the Eye. Other than that, it's anyone's guess. If you know, please leave a comment!

London's Eye as seen from St James Park : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Victoria

This statue memorializes Britain's longest reigning monarch, Queen Victoria, who reigned over the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from her ascension in 1837 until her death in 1901. In 1876, she added the title Empress of India to her titles and styles. Victoria married her cousin, Prince Albert and they had nine children. Albert died in 1861 and she never remarried. Due to her high sense of morality and influence, the period of her reign came to be known as the Victorian Age.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

The Canada Gate

Canada Gate with Union Jacks : Victoria Memorial Circle : Buckingham Palace : London, UK

Detail on the Canada Gate : London, UK

I probably should have saved this post for 1 July and Canada Day, but alas. The Canada Gate fronts Green Park and forms part of the area around Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace. Beyond the gate is the Canada Memorial, which honors the sacrifices of Canadians during World Wars I and II.

Buffalo detail on the Canada Gate : London, UK

Canada Gate--given in memory of Queen Victoria : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Changing Guards

Standing Guard : Buckingham Palace : London, UK

We were too late for the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, but we did enjoy watching members of the Queen's Guard march back and forth in front of the palace. Just a few shots of these gents in red and their bear skin hats.

Minor changing of the guard : Buckingham Palace : London, UK

The Queen's Guard : Buckingham Palace : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Buckingham

Buckingham and the Union Jack : London, UK

I'll just confess it right here, right now: London underwhelmed me. Don't get me wrong--it was exciting to see where the Queen lives and great to see icons like Tower Bridge and Big Ben, but all-in-all I found London a bit average. Part of that could be that it looked so much like parts of the eastern United States, I felt like I'd seen a lot of this type of architecture and buildings before. Plus, I made the grievous mistake of comparing it to Paris. I was quite disappointed to find Buckingham Palace surrounded by asphalt. Compared to Versailles, it was rather plain. 

Buckingham Palace : London, UK

That said, though, I loved London for its shopping and dining, both of which are fabulous! And, in all fairness, we only did touristy stuff one day, so we didn't have time to visit museums like the National Portrait Gallery or the Victoria and Albert Museum or take tours of the Tower of London or Buckingham or take in a show. I'm not writing off London entirely as one of Europe's cool cities to visit. I'll be going back. But for this trip, the photos and the limited time we spent, I am sure, do not do justice to this great city.

The Queen's Coat of Arms : Gates of Buckingham Palace : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11