London signs and symbols

Pub signs, with pictures to identify the name of the bar, were developed to help the illiterate know the name. When you realize that most people could not read until maybe 100-150 years ago, you can see that pictures helped a lot.



















Notice, no phone number to call to get your bike unclamped. Better not park here.















Built and rebuilt over the past 800 years or so, London is a modern city with an ancient street system. Many streets are narrow and, as in any city, parking is expensive and hard to find. In order to entice people to use public transit, the City of London imposes a tax on anyone who drives within a smaller defined area. This area, called the Congestion Zone, requires payment of 8 pounds daily...this is about 12 dollars at this time. The cab driver who took us to Heathrow Airport at the end of our stay said it is a normal cost of business. We felt that the Underground was highly used but city streets were still very crowded with cabs, buses, trucks and private vehicles. We also drove in this area and I wondered if there would be a toll booth but the cabbie said that you send in your payment in the mail.

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Big Ben, the symbol of England, is actually the clock, not the tower. This is the Parliament Building and Big Ben strikes the hour and half hour.




































Security on the Parliament building included cameras, of course, but low-tech effective techniques were also evident.









Westminster Abbey is located behind Parliament. We had plans to go but decided against it when we saw admission was 16 pounds per person! While I understand how tourists can provide income for a landmark, it seems odd to pay to enter a church.














Similar to the park across the street from the White House in Washington, DC, protesters have a designated area across from Parliament. Located in a small park, there were numerous tents and signs with protests about involvement in the war in Iraq as well as other issues.


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We enjoyed a boat ride on the Thames....the narration was clear and informative. The guide mentioned landmarks that are known and others that are not as famous to Americans, such as the City of London School, both old and new buildings. This school is a prestigious private school and has had such notable alumni as Francis Bacon, Newton and many others. A recent alumnus is Daniel Radcliffe. Not quite the same league..... yet......LOL






























A replica of the Golden Hind, Sir Frances Drake's ship that circumnavigated the globe is located a few blocks away from the recreation of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Cleopatra's Needle (the twin is in Central Park in New York City), the monument in memory of the Great London Fire, and St. Paul's Cathedral are a few of the many landmarks pointed out on the Thames River Tour.































The Tower of London was built by the Normans as a stronghold and later became a residence for early kings. Over time it evolved to become a large complex of buildings. Some remained residences but much of it was used as a prison for royalty. If you want to hear about the seamy side of the history of the British monarchy, this is a great place to visit. There are guided tours but you can do a self-guided tours with the individual recorded handhelds as well. The Tower itself is the location of where the Royal Jewels are stored and on display.














I really enjoy this photo as it shows old and new towers. The Tower of London was the symbol of the monarchy's power and impotence for centuries...and behind it is 30 Mary Axe, an award-winning tower completed in 2004, that encompassed ecological design. It is affectionately called the Gherkin by Londoners.











I'm sure you've heard the true story about the guy who bought London Bridge and had it taken apart in London and reassembled at Lake Havasu in Arizona.....only to realize the landmark we all know is the TOWER Bridge.

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The London Eye is the world's second largest Ferris wheel. Now, I do not have a fear of heights, but I really had no interest in riding this thing. Call it a vestige of my parents never spending money on what they called "tourist traps" or perhaps, just a tiny bit, I could not envision myself with my feet dangling below the seat, so high above the London landscape. I avoiding this temptation...well, 10 years ago it did not exist, and 5 years ago we just did not have the time. But Sam remembered......and this time, we had time, so.....
The ride is taken in large glass pods with a solid (not glass) floor and a bench seat in the center. This allows for tremendous 360 degree views without any vertigo.













The wheel turns very slowly, one revolution in an hour. People are prompted to exit their pod as it gets to the level area. Security then checks with mirrors under the seat..and once again we are reminded we live in an age of terrorism and the symbol of the London Eye could make an attractive target.
















The pod moves slowly on its cycle, permitting us to enter. About 10-15 people fit per pod and there is plenty of room for movement. Some people rent pods for special events such as weddings. (I still think the Duart Castle is the best location we heard about this trip.) The view up and down the Thames is great.

Shop Until You Drop...or send me instead

Harrods has long been known as one of the premiere department stores anywhere. In its day, at the height of the British Empire, you could literally outfit an entire expedition to anywhere in the world within the walls of Harrods.

I first explored it 10 years ago. My mom and I started at the top and slowly made our way down each elevator, walking on each level. We were in the store over four hours!!! Graham and I walked it again this time, visiting several departments on purpose to check our certain items.

The architectural details and decor touches in the store are pretty amazing themselves....but then you need to enter the shopping areas.....and you are lost.






























The food court is fascinating. Actually, it is several large rooms. One is only fresh produce. Another has meats from around the world. We saw there the ham produced in Spain from pigs who only are fed acorns....we noticed this because we know there is a farm in Ohio that also raises pigs for market this way....the ham sells for over $200 a pound. Also cheeses from around the world and pastries and candies...and the list goes on and on....

















For the shoe lovers in my life....here was one very small section of the designer shoe salon....anyone still wanting Jimmy Choo? Third Floor.




This cascade of swarovski crystals was on sale marked down to 14,000 pounds from 19,000 pounds.




























Musical instruments on display for sale seemed to be limited to pianos and guitars, but what a selection!



















Rugs were displayed for sale in the typical piles laying on the floor, but these caught my eye as we wandered the store.










Rocking horses, bibs...and the most gorgeous christianing dresses were for sale between 60 and 150 pounds....roughly 90 and 225 US dollars.




















Golf carts were positioned strategically for sale in the area where you could purchased clothes to wear while playing golf. This bike and manikin were at the head of an escalator near the vast displays of bicycles for sale.







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Throughout the trip planning I kept in mind that Sam wanted to run. I tried to find nightly lodging near parks or other places he could run safely and also arranged for him to run with a guy his age in Glasgow.

When I was checking out the walking tours we might be able to enjoy, I noticed the Running Jogging Tour website. After a bit of legal wrestling (they finally agreed I could sign the release for Sam since he is a minor and they usually take guest no younger than 19) we signed him up for a 8K run in the Camden Lock area. This was the blurb on their website:

Discover one of the most scenic running routes in London as you explore Primrose Hill and follow Regent's Canal through Regent's Park and into the oasis that is Little Venice, with its interspersed waterways and footbridges. Learn about the former writers, artists and inventors who once called this area home, before returning through Regent's Park, catching a glimpse of London Zoo on the way. This 8km tour starts and finishes in colourful Camden - you may like to explore Camden Market at the end of the tour.

While they ran off, Graham and I walked along the canal a bit and looked at the food offerings. The seating was fun, but we decided to wait, and that was good as we got to eat in Gordon Ramsey's pub afterwards.
















































The Camden Lock Market is vibrant with building facades and people in the most exotic colors and decor. If you are in search of funk or things that are unusual...Camden Town Market is the place.



















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How many of you remember the Disney movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks? I watched it a lot with Dan and Lisa when they were small. I don't really remember much of it, but there was one part that stuck n my head. Angela Landsbury was a witch or something and needed to get everyone to another place. With the right incantation, the bed could fly, but one of the bedknobs was missing. Angela's character says "Let's go to the Portobello Road Market...you can get everything there!" They break into some song and shortly later, go to the market, find the perfect bedknob and fly off to whatever mission they needed to achieve.

Well, on MY list of things to do in London was to go to the Portobello Road market. Unlike the market at Camden Lock, this market is on a city street, and goes on for about 20 blocks or more..we lost count!

You CAN find many many things there--antiques, fresh food, books, jewelry and clothes. Lots of funny tee shirts.
































Lots of people; the market opens early and we got there around 10. It got more and more crowded during the two hours we were there.












The buskers were pretty good. This steel drummer was one of two that was there and since he was in a wheel chair the quality of his playing had to be respected more for the angle of play.

























But one of the best stories of our trips culminated at the Portobello Road market, so I will tell it here.

I had asked my sister Laura what she would like from our trip for her birthday, since it is at the end of June, and I told her I would bring her back something special. She pondered for a bit and then asked for a poster of Stonehenge. Piece of cake, I thought, knowing the gift shop at Stonehenge has a tremendous selection of posters.

Well, if you have been reading this blog, you already know that we were not able to visit Stonehenge. Oh no...I was in a quandary and had to laugh a bit. The first time I went to Europe was on business for 6 months back in 1981-1982. Laura had asked me to bring her back a tapestry and since all I was seeing was museum quality pieces I had written her that there was no way I could afford to meet that goal. Here I was again, going to fail.

Well, I checked in a poster shop in Oxford and came away with a postcard....not quite the goal. As we headed further north I gave up....but here we were back in London and at Portobello Road and Angela Landsbury had promised me EVERYTHING can be found there. I was hopeful.

We stopped at each booth that sold posters....nope nope nope...this one only had sports stuff, that one musicians, that one cars...you get the picture...and I wasn't getting the picture. (sorry, bad pun)

As we headed out from the market, Graham pointed out a shop on one side of the street....it advertised photos. So I shrugged and went in, told my story and the guy said...hmmm, I think we had one but it wasn't selling so it went into the sale bin. And there it was!! My sister's picture, not on paper, but on canvas, rolled up in to a tube but not before being signed by the photographer!!











So, on my first trip to Europe I went to Paris one weekend and went to a huge flea market there. I found a tapestry for Laura that I could afford and met the goal. Here I was again, success!!! The moral of the story......if conventional shops fail, head to the flea markets...or better yet, send me!!!!