crazylost in england: July 2011

Back for more of London sightseeing

Steve and I enjoyed our second weekend in London. We stayed in a hotel located in the Piccadilly Circus area. There is a cute story about the name Piccadilly. It is the only street in London that is not registered by who named it. Other streets are named typically for what is there. An example, Trafalgar St. is where the square is, Buckingham St is where the palace is, and so on. The street Piccadilly perhaps goes back to when in the 17-1800’s they use to call a “lady of the night” a dilly. Sooo, this street may have been named after that—“Pick-a-dilly”. Now it is the home of the theater district and top of the line shopping.

On our first day we went to the National Museum and the Portrait museum. In the National Museum we saw room after room of paintings by the masters. One particular thing came to mind while staring at these gorgeous pieces of art. They were 3 to 4 hundred years old and just as beautiful as the day painted. We saw works by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Dagas. Just a few but they also are my favorites.

The Portrait Museum was fantastic also. There was an exhibition called Glamour of the Gods. It is a celebration of Hollywood portraiture from the industry's 'Golden Age', the period 1920 to 1960. From Greta Garbo and Clark Gable to Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. The portraits being shown were those that transformed actors and actresses into international icons. You would immediately recognize them if you saw them. These images were essentially film publicity shots, given away copyright-free to fans and magazines

After visiting the museums we planned to go to the London Eye, however, the line was a 3 hour wait. We walked around Trafalgar Square and took lots of photos. Hope you enjoy looking at some of the activities there as much as we did.

This photo deserves an explanation. It is a massive piece of natural art located on one of the walls of the Art Museum. It is created with hundreds of different grasses. Absolutely Brilliant, as the Brits would say.

Another explanation is deserved here. He is playing the old standards and accompanying them with his tuba. However, with every note a flame comes out of the tuba scaring the "bajezzus" out of the spectators.

Ok, this deserves an explanation too. Steve needs to explain why my arm and coat is all he got in this photo.

We decided to go to London’s Aquarium next. I am not recommending this for anyone unless you are 20 something and entertaining your children. Close your eyes and try to imagine three hundred strollers jammed in a small room with children screaming at their parents in 20 different languages. A nightmare! I did take some pictures of fish anyway so I hope you enjoy.

On Sunday we went to the London eye early, no waiting to get on. We both loved this experience and recommend to all. The pictures were great from there and would do it again in a heartbeat.

In addition to the London Eye we were surprised to see a marathon was scheduled. Now in its 11th year, the British 10k London Ru n has become one of this country’s best known races and provides a chance for over 25,000 runners to raise funds for their favorite charities. We had no idea this was scheduled on Sunday but it was terrific to be there. We got a couple of shots showing the running masses, hope you enjoy.

Now where did she come from??? I do not remember her in the race. Gonna have a chat with Steve.

Next week Paris.

Our London trip was fantastic. It started a little rough though, we had difficulty finding the Tour Company and getting to our assigned bus. They didn’t have our names on “The List”. It all worked out in the end so off we went. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable of all the sites, she had a masters in history and was bubbling over with British wit.

The down side of touring is looking through the bus window at allot of the main attractions. Steve and I were OK with that since it was our first time in London. We are going back Saturday to actually visit the sites that interested us on the bus tour.

Our first destination on tour was to Kensington and Buckingham Palace and park. We snapped a few pics on the way there that were interesting especially the one with a race car on the wall. Boys Toys!

McLaren automotive dealership.

Looks like I could shop till I dropped in there

The changing of the guard, A very formal affair. There were masses of people to watch.

How would you like that many people in your front yard everyday?? Welcome to Buckingham Palace

Queen Victoria

Next on the tour was St Paul's Cathedral. It was closed unfortunately for a Deacons ordination service.

Saint Paul, located in front of the cathedral

The Queen Mother

This dude was flying by our bus, suit tales a flapping!

Next stop the Tower of London and the Royal Jewels--too bad they would not let us take pictures. My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw that grandiose display of riches. I wonder if the money could have been spent more wisely?? Oh well they sure were sparkly and shiny!!

Ravens have a home here because they had a job to do in the middle ages. They ate left overs from torturing, beheading, hanging, and other public spectacles that went on here at the Tower.

Next a short cruise looking at things from the River Thames.