Monday 11 June 2012

London weekend part 2

After lunch last Saturday we headed towards Trafalgar Square and The Mall - wonderful atmosphere with Union Flags in abundance.



I liked these statues of the late Queen Mother and King George Vl overlooking the proceedings outside Clarence House



We walked almost to the end of The Mall but because they were preparing for the concert, we chose not to walk any further. On the way back spotted Big Ben in the distance towering above the trees in St James Park.


And Westminster Hall


We made our way back to St Paul's and sat here for a cup of tea and a
chance for a spot of people watching



Back over the Thames to the South Bank where we made out way towards Southwark Cathedral



Passing Borough Market on the way

Borough Market supposedly dates back to around 1276 and has been on this site since 1851. Amongst the produce on sale are fresh fruit and vegetables, all kinds of cheese, meat, game and freshly baked bread and pastries as well as freshly cooked street food which is always a mouthwatering experience to say the least.



The market next door was quite aptly named


The Clink was a notorious prison in Southwark which functioned from the 12th century until 1780 and belonged to the Manor of the Bishops of Winchester. The origins of the name "The Clink" are uncertain but possibly derives from the sound of striking metal as the prisoner's doors were bolted or the rattling of the chains they wore.

The Shakespeare Globe Theatre stands on the river bank and is a modern reconstruction of the original Globe which was destroyed by fire in 1613. It was opened in 1997 just 750 feet from the site of the original.


Next door to the Globe was this lovely little terrace of houses. In between the houses is Cardinal's Cap Alley - I love strange sounding street names and looked into its origins.  Until the 1600s Bankside was a bawdy place, full of taverns, drinking houses and brothels as well as bear and bull-baiting pits and, in the time of Shakespeare, public theatres. This alley once led to a tavern called the Cardinal's Hat.


We had dinner in this fabulous restaurant Zizzis overlooking the Thames and where they cooked the food in front of you. Such a buzz that evening.


And this was the view from our window seat.

That was Saturday

And what a difference a day makes!!


We may be wet, we may be cold but we wouldn't have missed this unforgettable Sunday.


16 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend - shame about the weather - I bet you were as pooped as I imagine the Queen was after such a fun-packed time.

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  2. Oh Patricia thanks for this lovely London walk, great photographs...
    Erna xx

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  3. I am so envious that you were there! I would have loved to have been too for this once in a lifetime event!

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  4. It must have been amazing to have been there for the flotilla. Love all your photos of London, the well known and not so well known parts.
    Lisa x

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  5. You're photos are lovely, sounds like you had a great time

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  6. It must have been amazing to actually see the Thames Pageant in spite of the wet and cold. I loved seeing your photos of Southwark, apart from going to the Imperial War Museum I've never really been south of the river so I shall plan a trip there some time soon.

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  7. Hello Patricia, I enjoyed our stroll together and the excellent history that you inserted into every area. I love travel, but financially it seems impossible. Therefore; I get so much pleasure from touring with my blogging friends. I wishing you the best tomorrow on your test. Get a good nights sleep tonight and I'm sure you will do wonderfully. Thank you for visiting my blog and thank you for following. Are you taking classes this summer or are you going to get a holiday? Looking forward to more of your marvelous tours. Connie :)

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  8. Hi Patricia! How fun that you got to spend your jubilee weekend in London. Loved being able to go with you. It has been many years since I have been to London while we used to go regularly. I have always wanted to see the Globe! I now want to live in that street near it...lol. I love houses that are all higglety pigglety and crooked.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  9. It sounds like you had a great time. I really enjoyed looking through your photos of London, I've been meaning to revisit for quite a while but there's always somewhere else to go instead, so much must've have changed since I lived there over 20 years ago.

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  10. hello patricia,
    it sounds that you have had a wonderful time in london.thanks for the beautiful pictures.
    wish you a lovely day,
    blessings,regina
    www.reginassimplelife.blogspot.com

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  11. Thank you for that lovely trip round London. My daughter has been studying right next door to Borough Market and was there for the Pageant. It's such a fascinating place isn't it.

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  12. I was glued to the tv over last weekend . The jubilee was most amazing , beautiful and unforgettable..
    The Queen was happy and enjoyed it all.
    Hi from Portugal.
    I found you just surfing around some of my blog followers.
    Your post about the Jubilee is great and your photos show so much.
    I love london.
    I have joined your blog
    wishing you a happy weekend. Good study days, most admirable.
    val.

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  13. Hi Patricia, Thank you so much for your sweet visit. Blogging has become a delightful adventure, not only in being able to share, but in receiving so many ideas. Then there is the lovely comments and the fact that the more we share the closer our friendships become. I would have never imagined making friends from all around the world . . . and right here at my desk. I too am very happy that we are following one another . . .
    Your new friend, Connie :)
    P.S. The other great thing that I have discovered is that knowing I want a fresh post each week encourages me to be creative and not hide what I have under a bushel.

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  14. Sounds like you had a gorgeous time. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos!

    Greetings from Germany
    Gaby

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  15. How nice to be in London at such an historic time!

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  16. Hello,
    I love your pictures very much ... and I think I have to visite London. Now I have a taste of the city.
    Greetings from Germany
    Ulrike

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