A VISIT TO
'THE SMOKE'
So-called, in the past, because of the 'pea-souper' fogs that used to plague (no pun intended) the citizens.
These days, with smokeless rules and ULEZ zones, it's a misnomer.
We'd been to London three years ago, and one of the things we did was to see the Cirque du Soleil production of Luzia, so were keen to see their latest production, called Alegria.
Our first stop though, was the iconic Victorian station, St Pancras.
That roof is a work of art!
Great choice - but here in the capital, VERY expensive!!!
We didn't pay less that £7 for a pint.
Food is also dear, but the choice here is incredible! With such a large population to cater for, you can get even the quirkiest cuisine.
These were our choices.
One thing that DID strike us was the number of delivery cyclists around - it seemed that EVERYONE was having take away food!
The British Museum - another must do.
The entrance just screams GREAT BRITAIN, doesn't it?
Those doric columns are a stunning centrepiece.
We made straight for the Egyptian rooms - Sue really wanted to see the mummies. But first, the sculptures and carvings.
The details on these things just knocks you out! I mean, just HOW LONG does this sort of thing take? It was by no means a one off either - it seems everyone who was anyone in Egypt just HAD to have this sort of thing. The man hours spent just doing the hieroglyphics must be staggering! The only other thing I can think of on this sort of scale in the modern world is Google maps.
I'm a bit of a sucker for a nice mosaic. We'd seen lots of Roman ones before, but my God - they were AMATEURS compared to the Egyptians!
We moved on into the mummy/sarcophagus room. I really didn't realise just what an enormous amount of work went into these things. It really does belie belief that one person could command this sort of scale of work on their sarcophagus (if he/she wasn't a royal).
Inside AND outside, delicately and perfectly marked.
Beautifully preserved colours, almost like a photograph.
Animals figured largely in Egyptian culture. As we were to see, to the extent of mummifying some favourites like hawks, cats (especially) and dogs.
Large animals too, like this lion, we deified.
Five and a half THOUSAND years - take a minute to process that.
Quite macabre really, but fascinating all the same.
We moved on, as I wanted to see the Lewis chessmen and the horological exhibition
Out of everything we'd seen, THIS room impressed me the most. The minds of the men that built these clocks and other items of horology.
The movement and the intricate workings of these items just stops you in your tracks. Some of the parts are SO SMALL that you wonder how they could be made so perfectly and accurately in the 1700's (as many of them were).
Spectacular is the perfect superlative for this clock - more like a work of art.
Time (see what I did there?) to move on! I couldn't resist another picture of these stunning columns.
We just love to wander around, looking at the architecture of the city, both old and new.
I'd heard of, but never visited, Borough market. The smells, cacophany of sound and throngs are quite exciting when you're from 'the sticks'. We wandered around, like wide-eyed children, marvelling at all this.
HUGE pans of wild mushroom risotto, with plenty of free samples being handed out. It was my choice, and may I say, a really good choice - it was divine!
You really could buy almost anything edible here, including black truffles. I had these four weighed (just for effect, you understand).
£429 - wayyyyyy out of my pocket!
The choice of cheese was staggering! I wish I could add smell to this blog - I was in cheese heaven. Yes - we DID buy some.
These 'steps' were actually seats for the many people who had bought food. It reminded me of a sporting venue.
I thought these were eggs - what a pleb!
They are, of course, Thai coconut pancakes.
The next stop was the Golden Hinde (note the extra 'e' - as it wasn't the original, but a replica - which was a bit of a disappointment). We'd visited the Cutty Sark on a previous visit (which IS the real thing).
All aboard.
Aye, aye - cap'n.
Canon to the left - canon to the right.....
It must have been a VERY uncomfortable life aboard this vessel. I'm not tall (in fact I'm a shortarse) and I had to stoop quite low to get around.
Time for another wander as the day waned. Walking the bank of the Thames is always good, taking in the impressive skyline.
The city lights were now starting to shine.
This tight lane, in the old Vinopolis area, was really well restored, and done in quite a sympathetic way. This fabulous rose window frame and façade, had been retained for posterity.
A gruesome replica gibbet hangs outside the site of the original and infamous clink jail - this place gave base to calling all jails 'clinks'.
It's now a museum.
Not the original dirty lane, but the name was used when the area was gentrified. Some other names that were left to rest in the annals were; Dead Man's Place, Foul Lane, Cock Alley and Naked Boy Yard.
St paul's is always impressive - but so is the price to go in - at £25, I'm afraid they didn't get a visit from me.
FAR too greedy, in my opinion.
The Thames - so romantic to walk along.
It's a fabulous centrepiece as you walk over the Millennium bridge.
By now, it was getting bitterly cold, but Sue still found time to pose
for a picture.
A panorama of the view - click on it (or any picture) for a larger version.
The financial area.
We walked through Temple Bar Gateway, it's the only original surviving entrance to London City, just to explore.
In the courtyard inside were several sculptures dotted about.
The sheep and shepherd one is permanent, but the others are endangered species, gorilla, giraffe, elephant etc, which visitors are encouraged to 'cuddle, climb and instagram'. These are the work of artists Gillie and Marc.
This permanent shepherd sculpture is by Elizabeth Fink.
The iconic Shard building dominates the skyline.
As we walked along the bank of the Thames, we saw this - it's a museum dedicated to balloons!
Who could fail to be impressed by Tower Bridge?
Especially at night.
Tower Bridge, as seen from the Tower of London.
Next day, a wander around Covent Garden.
As is often the case here, a performer displays their skills - this time an opera singer. The acoustics here are superb.
A rare beast INDEED - a shop dedicated to all things tobacco.
No-one would have believed....that it was time to visit the Jeff Wayne 'War of the Worlds immersive experience'.
Photo's are not permitted inside the actual experience (and would be no good, as the best parts are while wearing the VR headsets).
The whole thing is around five years old and, although showing it's age in certain parts, is still well worth visiting.
There's quite a steam punk theme to the decor here.
Time for another walk - anyone fancy a gherkin?
A kind passer-by did the honours. :-)
We made our way towards the Abba stadium to see the Voyage show.
This, as you probably know, is a sort of holographic experience, where the band are 'reincarnated' via technology.
The olympic torch - looking pretty cool all lit up.
The first sight of the stadium.
It's in quite a remote location, Pudding Lane, so finding somewhere to eat was a bit difficult.
The only time you're allowed to take pictures was before the show - this rule was policed quite strictly by staff walking round.
The floor, where you stand and can dance, slowly began to fill up. This stadium was built specifically for this show. I must admit, I was sceptical before going but, after seeing the whole thing, I was blown away! They really DO look real!
Time to rock - thank you for the music!
When in London - you just HAVE to visit the Houses of Parliament - don't you?
TAXI!!!
DAMN!
This is some sort of sundial, but we were told the sun barely shines on it, so it's virtually useless! The keen eyed among you (and me) will also notice there are only ten numbers on it 🤔
LOVE a rose window 💓
The other 'must see'.
None shall pass!
We crossed the road towards the river in search of coffee.
As we passed Raffles, we couldn't resist going in for a look.
The menu, as expected, was eye-wateringly priced!
The beautiful and aesthetic mirrored fountain in
the centre of the courtyard.
We found a tethered old steam boat, now used as a cafe/restaurant/venue and decided to go in for coffee.
The eye, which was opposite, was closed for maintenance while we were there.
Surprisingly good prices in here, the Tattershall Castle.
That night, we headed for the Royal Albert Hall for our final treat of the trip - Alegria, by Cirqe du Soleil.
We came to a previous production called Luzia, and were so blown away, we just HAD to come to this new (to us) one.
I don't normally do selfies - but just this once.....
Just opposite the RAH, this is the Royal College of music - what a gorgeous entrance.
The tube always intrigues me. The sheer magnitude of the task - to build a railway under London. The original engineers did it the simple way - dug a hole, inserted a 'pipe', then buried it.
Of course, you just couldn't do it that way in modern times - the inconvenience would bring the capital to a grinding halt. The new lines, and particularly Crossrail, have presented seemingly insurmountable problems, what with all the stuff just and far below the surface. But, clever minds have risen to the challenge.
As it was our final night, we decided to eat out. I originally wanted to go to a Thai restaurant nearby, but when we saw it was closed, decided to try our first ever Korean BBQ.
This plate is heated electrically, then you put meat (or veg) on it to cook.
Each table had an extractor above it to take away the smoke.
We really enjoyed it.
We chose chicken, but the beef looked good too.
Not exorbitant for London.
We ended the night with a beer in the local pub.
Just two simple rules.
After a great week in our capital, we made our way back home to beutiful Bakewell. Cities are treat to visit, but we love where we live so much.
