Late for breakfast, but once our bellies were full, we were ready to go!
The Underground Tube was our transportation decision for the day, so we purchased our all day pass and descended into the maze. The trains were running frequently, but people lined the platform, so our ride was cozy!
When we emerged, Parliament and Westminster Abbey in their architectural splendor stood before us.
In 960 Westminster Abbey became the home to Benedictine Monks. One hundred years later it became the coronation church where 17 monarchs would eventually be crowned. Though in 1245 the building of the present church was started by Henry III. The Gothic building has become one of the most important places in the country. And here I stood with the opportunity to walk where kings and queens have trod.
The extensive history within the Abbey fascinates me. I knew that it was final resting place for many royal people throughout history--particularly kings and queens; however, I was unprepared for the number of people buried here--over 3,000. As we walked down the first hallway from the visitor's entrance, I scanned the inscriptions, and the first name I recognized was Charles Darwin. Then the tomb of the unknown British soldier on the floor surrounded by poppies made me pause, and at that moment a morning prayer was offered and we bowed our heads as we listened. An unforgettable moment.
Sir Isaac Newton's monument was in front of the choir screen near his grave. Then I stood in the center of the choir room wishing I could hear the voices of the famous choir fill the massive church.
We meandered through the royal tombs and monuments before reaching Geoffery Chaucer's tomb. Strange to read the inscription of a man whose works I have studied extensively and with admiration. He was the first in what would become the poet's corner. (The photo is of an Abbey courtyard inserted here to break up the monotony for those of you not quite as passionate about English literature and poetry.)
Many poets and writers are buried at Westminster Abbey. Tennyson, John Dryden, Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, and Dr. Samuel Johnson, whom I also admire, rest in the Abbey. And after walking the streets of London, the words of Charles Dickens, one of my favorite authors, were on my mind when I paused at his grave here which was merely inscribed with his name and time on earth. It was as he wished, and for it I respect him even more. (Though in fairness to Chaucer who was also a voice for the downtrodden, I should mention that a plain slab marked his tomb before the marble monument was made in his honor 150 years later.)
Memorialized (but buried elsewhere) in the Poet's Corner are many other great English writers and poets~ Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Shelley, Austen, and Bronte are a just a few. As I stood in the Poet's corner, my English teacher's heart was overwhelmed...and grateful to stand in this the place I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to see.
Afterwards we strolled over to the Cabinet War Rooms. In the weeks before Britain joined WWII, concrete was pumped beneath the Whitehall building to create the war rooms. The concrete was nearly three metres thick and reinforced with steel, and how they maintained secrecy during this job is still unknown, but the rooms remained secret until after the war. Interestingly, there were rooms within the war rooms that were secret to those who worked and lived there too.
Churchill's rhetoric was powerful, and as an admirer, it was fun to walk down the halls and view the rooms where he did his most famous negotiating and work.
The famous red telephone booths still dot the streets~much to my delight!
After attempting to absorb more history than one could possibly digest that morning, we were famished. Luckily we found a little English pub nearby (these folks anticipate the need for food and drink on every corner), and ducked in--and down to the basement where lunch was served. I had the best stew served with mashed potatoes--it was my favorite pub fare of the trip!
Rejuvenated, we found our way back to the subway with Covent Gardens as our destination. Covent Gardens was the first modern public square in London dating back to the 17th century. Covent originally was interpreted as monastery or convent. Perhaps the name stems from the time when the area belonged to Westminster Abbey and it was walled off so they could use the land and orchards (resulting in gardens?). The history that followed makes me smile, as today it is known as a theater district, and the old fruit and vegetable market area now houses retail stores, including the largest apple store in the world. Did I forget to mention the prostitutes and pubs that also resided there a hundred years ago or so?
Anyway, we reached our Covent Gardens subway stop and started walking...and walking...and stopping and reading the map...and walking...and then walking back the way we came. We circled Covent Gardens, but we finally found it!
In the transportation museum we discovered the tunneling history of London noted in my Take 1 entry. When we stepped outside again it was evening. The street musicians were playing--loved the string quartet playing Christmas music. An entertainer was gathering a crowd in front of St. Paul's Church--referred to as the actors' church. Here we entered the church courtyard and the simple church erected centuries before.
Did I mention the cobblestone streets? They are unlike anything in America. The rough surface is picturesque, but not functionally as friendly for walking.
Finally as the day disappeared, we sought out the subway station as the evening crowd milled around all the entertainers in the streets beneath the glow of the theatre lights.
Back at the hotel, the weary travelers opted to dine in the hotel restaurant and began the task of repacking.
In the morning, we were up early and finished packing in plenty of time. We were ready to go home. We caught a cab ride back to the airport. Enjoying our final views of London, we buzzed through the maze of streets in the infamous little black cab, grateful we weren't driving.
The Underground Tube was our transportation decision for the day, so we purchased our all day pass and descended into the maze. The trains were running frequently, but people lined the platform, so our ride was cozy!
When we emerged, Parliament and Westminster Abbey in their architectural splendor stood before us.
In 960 Westminster Abbey became the home to Benedictine Monks. One hundred years later it became the coronation church where 17 monarchs would eventually be crowned. Though in 1245 the building of the present church was started by Henry III. The Gothic building has become one of the most important places in the country. And here I stood with the opportunity to walk where kings and queens have trod.
Sir Isaac Newton's monument was in front of the choir screen near his grave. Then I stood in the center of the choir room wishing I could hear the voices of the famous choir fill the massive church.
We meandered through the royal tombs and monuments before reaching Geoffery Chaucer's tomb. Strange to read the inscription of a man whose works I have studied extensively and with admiration. He was the first in what would become the poet's corner. (The photo is of an Abbey courtyard inserted here to break up the monotony for those of you not quite as passionate about English literature and poetry.)
Many poets and writers are buried at Westminster Abbey. Tennyson, John Dryden, Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, and Dr. Samuel Johnson, whom I also admire, rest in the Abbey. And after walking the streets of London, the words of Charles Dickens, one of my favorite authors, were on my mind when I paused at his grave here which was merely inscribed with his name and time on earth. It was as he wished, and for it I respect him even more. (Though in fairness to Chaucer who was also a voice for the downtrodden, I should mention that a plain slab marked his tomb before the marble monument was made in his honor 150 years later.)
Memorialized (but buried elsewhere) in the Poet's Corner are many other great English writers and poets~ Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Shelley, Austen, and Bronte are a just a few. As I stood in the Poet's corner, my English teacher's heart was overwhelmed...and grateful to stand in this the place I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to see.
Afterwards we strolled over to the Cabinet War Rooms. In the weeks before Britain joined WWII, concrete was pumped beneath the Whitehall building to create the war rooms. The concrete was nearly three metres thick and reinforced with steel, and how they maintained secrecy during this job is still unknown, but the rooms remained secret until after the war. Interestingly, there were rooms within the war rooms that were secret to those who worked and lived there too.
Churchill's rhetoric was powerful, and as an admirer, it was fun to walk down the halls and view the rooms where he did his most famous negotiating and work.
The famous red telephone booths still dot the streets~much to my delight!
Seriously, the phone never stops ringing for Ron--but even in London?
After attempting to absorb more history than one could possibly digest that morning, we were famished. Luckily we found a little English pub nearby (these folks anticipate the need for food and drink on every corner), and ducked in--and down to the basement where lunch was served. I had the best stew served with mashed potatoes--it was my favorite pub fare of the trip!
Rejuvenated, we found our way back to the subway with Covent Gardens as our destination. Covent Gardens was the first modern public square in London dating back to the 17th century. Covent originally was interpreted as monastery or convent. Perhaps the name stems from the time when the area belonged to Westminster Abbey and it was walled off so they could use the land and orchards (resulting in gardens?). The history that followed makes me smile, as today it is known as a theater district, and the old fruit and vegetable market area now houses retail stores, including the largest apple store in the world. Did I forget to mention the prostitutes and pubs that also resided there a hundred years ago or so?
Anyway, we reached our Covent Gardens subway stop and started walking...and walking...and stopping and reading the map...and walking...and then walking back the way we came. We circled Covent Gardens, but we finally found it!
In the transportation museum we discovered the tunneling history of London noted in my Take 1 entry. When we stepped outside again it was evening. The street musicians were playing--loved the string quartet playing Christmas music. An entertainer was gathering a crowd in front of St. Paul's Church--referred to as the actors' church. Here we entered the church courtyard and the simple church erected centuries before.
Did I mention the cobblestone streets? They are unlike anything in America. The rough surface is picturesque, but not functionally as friendly for walking.
Finally as the day disappeared, we sought out the subway station as the evening crowd milled around all the entertainers in the streets beneath the glow of the theatre lights.
Back at the hotel, the weary travelers opted to dine in the hotel restaurant and began the task of repacking.
In the morning, we were up early and finished packing in plenty of time. We were ready to go home. We caught a cab ride back to the airport. Enjoying our final views of London, we buzzed through the maze of streets in the infamous little black cab, grateful we weren't driving.
At the airport, I discovered the British version of Harry Potter that I thought the kids might enjoy. Having never read the books myself and with renewed appreciation for London, I thought it would be a fun family read!
It was a 30 minute walk to our gate, but no worries, we could sit for 10.5 hours after we boarded! Tapping turkeys kept us entertained at the gate~the British mocking our crazy American customs.
But all mocking aside, a fantastic meal awaited us at home in California with friends and family gathered round.
A perfect ending.
