Monday, November 11, 2013

Trip to England- London

On Saturday, Sharon and I drove into London for the weekend. After we got settled at the Marriot Hotel in Maida Vail (a block away from Abbey Road), we ventured out into the city. We took the tube to Parliament square and walked all over the area. We spent time at Westminster Abbey where crosses and red poppies signified the many lives lost in battle over the years- amazing. We walked down Whitehall where Winston Churchill's famed, War rooms were located and Downing Street where the Prime minister works and lives. Then we hit Trafalgar square and then on to Leicester square, Covent Gardens and then the Strand. After dinner we enjoyed a lively musical of Beatles hits at the Savoy Theatre- what a treat!!

On Sunday we woke up to bright, blue skies and cold temperatures! After breakfast we headed back into town to be a part of the ceremony for Remembrance Sunday. Most of the streets were closed to cars and thousands of people were there to witness the 2 minutes of silence for the fallen soldiers and a to see the queen (via monitors for most of us) and The Arch Bishop honor the veterans. After the ceremony we watched vets from every regimen take part in a parade through the city streets. We clapped so long our arms were aching! It was so special to be a part of it.

Afterwards we made our way (by foot) to the London Bridge- quite a walk along the Thames, but a beautiful day to do it. There were so many people out enjoying the lovely weather- so much fun!! After a long day of walking we found a quaint Indian restaurant back in Covent Gardens. The food was delicious, but it was just nice to get out of the cold and give our feet a rest. We headed back to our hotel on the packed tube and watched Love Actually from the comfort of bed- what an awesome day!!

On Monday, Sharon had to head out of the city and back to Barnstaple and her family. I relaxed in the hotel room and then made my way out to the airport (via the tube). I left lovely London on a rainy day- I love this city and hope I get to come back again soon! Cheers~
Big Ben in the evening
Memorial of The Glorious Dead
(next day Queen placed wreath of poppies here)
Melissa on the Thames-across is parliament and Big Ben
 Westminster Abbey (below too)
 Crosses & red poppies- remembering those who fought in many wars
Veterans marching in parade
 Buckingham Palace at night
 Melissa & Sharon
 Landmark red phone booth
 parliament
 Tower Bridge
Tower of London (below too)
 London Eye & city lit up- beautiful
 Popular Warning 
 Underground is the way to travel!
favorite underground sign!
 Three arches
Great show of Beatles hits!
 
Sharon on the tube after a long day around the city

No comments:

Post a Comment