Ireland and UK Holiday 2015, 7th JuneLondon, stay at Golders Green Another day of wearing the feet out in London. First the Underground to Waterloo station, then walk past the London Eye, over Westminster Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and along the Thames to Lambeth Bridge, back across the river to the old St Mary's church in Lambeth where some of Lyn's ancestors were variously married baptised etc. Very old church, early bits built in the 14th century though there was a church there since maybe the 11th century. It was deconsecrated in the 1970's and is now a rather specialised but interesting garden history museum. They have a grant to do extensive improvements and expansion in the grounds. The tomb of note there to us is that of William Bligh, he of the Bounty fame and was governor of New South Wales (Australia) for a while. After that we wandered back up the Thames and back over the Westminster Bridge again and went towards St James Park, then past Horse Guard Parade ground, down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, then up into Hyde Park past the Serpentine and with feet giving out headed for the Underground at Lancaster Gate, then eventually to Golders Green after a line change at Bank. First
past the London Eye, those cables on the right are the only things that
stop the whole thing going kerplonk into the Thames......
 These rubber wheels with hydraulic motors are what makes the thing go 'round, impressive bit of engineering, really long queues to get a ride. We didn't bother.....  The usual tourist shot.......  Another view, as usual something is always wrapped in scaffolding......  Lambeth Palace, right next to St Marys church (edge of church tower on the right)......  St Marys Church where Lyn's g-grandmother was baptised and g-grandmother's parents were married. The church was destined to be demolished but saved at the last moment by a garden history enthusiast as the tomb of a famous plant hunter is there. It is now a garden history museum, the first of its type in the world. Squeezy church yard so hard to photograph.......  Interior with some of the garden history display down below.....  Out in the yard is Bligh's tomb......  The windows were all blown out by bombing in WW2 and were replaced in the 1950's, this one honouring the gardening association with the famous plant hunter John Tradescant the Elder who was buried in the church in 1638.......  Later on Horse Guard Road we saw the Bali memorial, where all the Bali bombing victims are named with the British names having the ages as well........  This used to be the bird-keepers cottage in St James's Park.......  Squirrel in St James's Park going for the peanut offered by a passer-by.....  The Horse Guards Parade ground, looks like you need to buy tickets to get seats for the show whenever it happens.....  Buckingham Palace, badly aligned, sun in wrong place, needs to be shifted to make tourist photos better.......  Guard doing his guardy thing, not sure why, the Queen isn't home........  Hire boats on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.......  Many people everywhere enjoying the sun, while they can, it may be the only summer days they get.........  After Hyde Park we went back home to Golders Green with sore feet. Tomorrow, even more London exploring. |