At TPA waiting for our flight to London. Virgin Atlantic direct. So lovely to wake up in the UK tomorrow!
Not a bad first day of weather in London! A bit of blue sky and warm enough for us to sit outside!
Met up last night with an old friend from college Nobue Fujisawa and her really nice husband Tim. We booth graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1985. Both in Biology. It was a fun night of remembrance and libations. I dug up some old pictures of us when I visited her in 1984 in Japan. Oh to be young again!
At the Museum Tavern, founded in 1723. It is a staple of ours in Bloomsbury, across from the British Museum. Great place to have a repast after traveling through Egypt and Mesopotamia across the street or a nighttime pint with some friends.
Taking a double decker to the National Gallery. As luck would have it we had the top deck to ourselves.
The National Gallery, of course, is a must-visit on every trip. The calming effect of immersing ourselves in these artworks amidst equally inspiring surroundings provides a refreshing contrast to the bustling energy of London. The National Gallery in London houses over 2,400 masterpieces, showcasing the pinnacle of Western European painting traditions. From Velázquez and Vermeer to Turner and Titian, the gallery boasts some of the most renowned works by these celebrated artists. However, it’s the extensive range of displays that truly makes the visit special.
The gallery begins with late-medieval paintings from the 12th to 15th centuries, predominantly religious in nature and adorned with exquisite gold detailing. The 16th century witnessed the emergence of some of history’s most famous artists, while Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and others represent the transition to individualized styles over the subsequent century.
The 18th and 19th-century rooms delve into the rise of new artistic movements, featuring works by Degas, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.
Next to the National Gallery is a glass elevator that brings you to the Cafe in the Crypt. Kind of bizarre. It is a vaulted ceiling basement with a cafeteria. But as you walk amongst the table you see that they are perched upon old tombstones. There are some other rooms with funeral statuary as well.
Another Sunny day in London and we are learning the bus routes. We always walked or took the Underground but the buses are cheaper than the Underground and more scenic!
If you cannot get a ticket for The Shard, with the most spectacular view of London, you can have a drink at Hutong which is a restaurant on the 33rd floor. In any case I would rather be spending on drinks 😎
A bit of music for you to enjoy
A view from the stairway that connects the restaurants in The Shard
A local bibliophile at the Embankment garden yesterday. Tulips in bloom.
A walk through Burrough Market was a test of claustrophobia today but I managed to buy a nice Saucisson with Truffle!
A ”little “ Indian food at a wonderful place in Camden Garden. Gotta get my fix in while in London.
Going up a long narrow staircase from Amazing Grace, which is a church turned bar/music venue, is a somewhat macabre gem, The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret it houses the oldest operating theatre in London and dates from 1820. It showcases surgical instruments from the epoch which are quite frightening, especially those related to gynecology and amputation. Have a drink below to fortify yourself.
Meetup with Friends, Leek Street Arches and the London Eye
Managed to book the London Eye for sunset on a nice day. It was spectacular. Beforehand we met our friends Cesar and Gary. We met them in Turkey and found they were kindred souls who also love to travel the world as much as they can. Now, when we come through London, we try to meet up with them. This time shooting the shit and having some pints at Witherspoons. For those not familiar with Witherspoons, it is a chain of pub/restaurants that have really fantastic selection and prices. This was at Waterloo Station which also happens to be close to the London Eye where we had an early evening ride booked. Before we went to the London Eye Cesar and Gary showed us a really cool place, The Leake Street Arches. Leake Street Arches, also known as the “Banksy Tunnel,” is a 300-meter-long road tunnel beneath Waterloo Station in London. It’s renowned as the city’s largest free, legal graffiti space, featuring an ever-changing canvas of street art. Adjacent to the tunnel, there’s a vibrant collection of independent restaurants, bars, and entertainment options.
360 Views from the London Eye
Yesterday was Windsor Castle. We have been so lucky with the weather. A bit chilly but more sun than I am used to in London. The town of Windsor is also adorable. We took the train from Waterloo. Only about an hour. Took a couple of hours to see the castle which is spectacular and then walked around the Windsor town before catching a 5 o'clock train back to London. Great day.
Now we are off to our second home in Chabanais. See ya there