by Jason Bowles | Jul 7, 2022 | England, Jason
Our long-awaited safari is finally underway. Another casualty of COVID and 2020, our trip to Southern Africa is finally underway! Flight delays in Las Vegas shortened what would have been an opportune layover in London, but after 10 hours in the air, we decided to spend the few hours we had in London rather than at Heathrow.
The Heathrow Express makes it easy: 15 minutes from the airport to Paddington station, and then a quick ride on the Tube to get around town. With our shortened layover we had to be selective. Maile recalled that Big Ben was surrounded by scaffolding the last time she was here and thought that would be a great place to start. First stop, Westminister.
Big Ben, without scaffolding
Like last time, we were unable to enter Westminister Abbey (which was already closed for the day). We did walk around it, and around the protesters calling for Boris Johnson to resign. Then back on the Tube to Tower Hill.
The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are quintessential London. Especially with the beautiful weather, we encountered, walking around the Tower and across the Bridge is uniquely London.
The Tower Bridge on a beautiful day in London
Its been a few years since Alex and Maile have been to London
We continued our walk along the Thames, back across the London Bridge, and onto Blackfriar’s Bridge. Blackfriars to Embankment on the Circle Line, transfer to Bakerloo, and back to Paddington Station where the Heathrow Express delivered us back to the airport, and to another delayed flight. Still, can’t complain. Enjoying the comfort of the Virgin Atlantic Club Room with a glass of wine while watching the sun set on an unusually beautiful day in London is a tolerable way to wait for our flight to South Africa.
by Jason Bowles | Jun 9, 2019 | England, Europe, Jason
Checking in at Victoria Station.
by Jason Bowles | Jun 8, 2019 | England, Europe, Jason
As our 25th-anniversary journey on the Orient Express leaves from London, we had a couple of days beforehand to kick it off. We saw the closing performance of Betrayal with Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox and walked the city.
by Jason Bowles | Aug 2, 2017 | England, Jason
Lovely London weather.
by Jason Bowles | Jul 31, 2017 | England, Jason
We were lucky enough to have arranged special access to Stonehenge through the English Historical Society. It was brisk at 6 am when we drove into an empty parking lot. The visitor center was closed; the place was empty except for a few others lucky enough to have access inside the ring of stones. We boarded the bus to the monument with only a dozen others. When we arrived, the small rope barrier around the stones was open–we had access to the entire site. The only condition: Don’t touch the stones.
Stonehenge at sunrise, before the crowds arrive.
On our journey up from Portsmouth, we had heard Stonehenge described as “smaller than I thought it would be.” From a distance, I can understand that sentiment. Walking between the stones, though, you can’t help but be impressed with the massive size of these stones. Just standing stones of this size would be an impressive feat for a Neolithic culture, but these stones were transported many miles to the site. Then, they were shaped to stand with the sarsen (upright) stones supporting massive lintels interlocking with mortise and tenon joints. The lintels themselves interlock with tongue-in-groove joints; it is no accident that these stones are still standing over 4,000 years after they were raised.
We returned later in the day to find the parking lot full to capacity, with line nearly an hour long just to buy tickets to enter the site. I had to ride the bus out again and see for myself what everyone else sees on a typical trip to Stonehenge.
A different perspective of Stonehenge.
Needless to say, if you are going to Stonehenge and plan far enough in advance, contact the English Historical Society and try to get access inside the ring of stones.
by Jason Bowles | Jul 30, 2017 | England, Jason
Salisbury Cathedral
