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.