Welcome baby Joelle Elizabeth
Marche de L’enfante Rouge, Notra Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Eiffel Tower & Nuit Blanche
Autumn in Paris
Paris is always a good idea and autumn in Paris is a lovely time of year. This is the beautiful view we had from our hotel balcony.
Last day of London
This photo was taken in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. We stepped inside for a peek and I was drawn to these steps. Regal with just a hint of suspense, don’t you think?
Tower of London, Courtauld Gallery and Westminster Abbey
Scotney Castle and Dear Friends
Platform 9 3/4, English Tea, Greenwich and Royal Observatory
Southwark Cathedral, London
High Altar Screen – Southwark cathedral, 1520 AD
The Great Screen
This magnificent screen was erected by Bishop Fox of Winchester in 1520. Although the general appearance of the screen, with three broad rich bands of carvings and statuary, is that of the original, most of the detail is from later periods.
Whether all the original statues were ever installed is uncertain, as the screen was completed within a decade of the Reformation when such statues were forbidden. The small carvings of the Lamb of God and the pelican (a badge of Bishop Fox) immediately above the rows of angels are probably original, as are some of the bases of the niches. The small carvings in the corners of the two doorways, showing hunting scenes, may also be original. source
Model of the church and old Westminster Palace
The Humble Monument portrays Alderman Richard Humble and his two wives.
the high alter and the great screen
walking toward the retro-choir
the far back is called the retro-choir
The Retro-choir, built from 1215-1260 and is the oldest complete part of Southwark Cathedral.
The Retro-choir is thought by many to be the loveliest part of the Cathedral, with superb spatial qualities. The design is 13th century Early English
view from the retro-choir down the south choir
the floor of the Retro-choir.
The Lady Chapel
south aisle nearing south west entrance
late afternoon sunbeams
exterior view
outside Southwark Cathedral
archaeological chamber
Roman Road 1st century AD
Near the entrance to the cafe and shop is part of the archaeological excavations left open for public display. Excavations around Southwark Cathedral in 1999 revealed part of a Roman road, foundations of the original Norman Priory wall, a 13th century medieval stone coffin and part of a late 17th century ‘Delft’ pottery kiln made of brick, one of the few surviving arched kilns found in Europe. source
Finally, after walking more than seven miles this day, we relaxed and ate dinner in a pub near our hotel.
Bankside Walk and Borough Market
The City of London, Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Millennium Bridge
This day in London was filled with such splendor and beauty we could barely take it all in.
Among so many other things, I love London for the serendipitous moments. Slipping past a quiet courtyard, strolling past an interesting door or turning the corner and beholding an enchanting wall garden.
Across from St. Clement Danes is the Australian House. It is both Australia’s first diplomatic mission and the longest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom.
This Tudor-style Prince Henry’s Room (top of the house) dates from 1610 and is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1666. The top floor of the house was once an office for King Charles I’s son.
Continuing along, The Royal Courts of Justice stand impressively.
The Royal Courts of Justice houses both the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales. Designed by George Edmund Street, who died before it was completed, it is a large grey stone edifice in the Victorian Gothic style built in the 1870s and opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. It is one of the largest courts in Europe. It is located on the Strand within the City of Westminster, near the border with the City of London (Temple Bar) source
Further along, St. Paul’s Cathedral comes into view.
From Rick Steves: If you were standing here in September 1666, you’d see nothing but smoke and ruins. The Great Fire razed everything, including the original St. Paul’s Cathedral. Christopher Wren was hired to rebuild St. Paul’s and The City.
If you were standing here on December 30, 1940, the morning after a German Luftwaffe firebomb raid, you’d see nothing but a flat, smoldering landscape of rubble, with St. Paul’s rising above it, almost miraculously intact.
A quick selfie in front of this busy road and gorgeous cathedral.
the magnificent dome
Queen Anne statue stands in front of the Cathedral
The plinth is inscribed with these words: “The original statue was erected on this spot to commemorate the completion of Saint Paul’s Cathedral. Francis Bird – sculptor.” “This replica of the statue of Queen Anne was erected at the expense of The Corporation of London In the year 1886, The Rt. Hon. Sir Reginald Hanson MA, FSA, Lord Mayor – Wm. Braham Esq., Chairman of the City Lands Committee”
Photos were not allowed in St. Paul’s Cathedral. The photos above were taken from the internet.
around the back
leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral toward the old Temple Bar in Patenoster square
outside the beautiful St. Paul’s
as we walked away
Onward from St. Paul’s, we walked to the Millennium Bridge.
The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, linking Bankside with the City of London. It is located between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge
Mid-span on the Millennium Bridge with the dome of St. Paul behind us.
Crossing the Themes on foot with the enticing aroma of caramel-coated roasted peanuts permeating the air on another day of gorgeous weather! Could’t resist this delicious snack adding to our list of wonderful London memories 🙂
Can you believe that all of this was just part of our Saturday.
Heading to Bankside and lots to see along the Themes up next.
Buckingham Palace & The Royal Mews
Don’t miss Buckingham Palace & The Royal Mews if you are planning a trip to London. Check the dates for when the palace is open to visitors. As one might imagine, Buckingham Palace is most beautiful and quite interesting to tour.
The Royal Mews are open all year to visitors and an enjoyable The Gold State Coach at the Royal Mews
Anniversary Adventure LONDON
can you guess where we’ve been?
we still do
♥
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine
I remember well the day we wed
We help to make each other all that we can be
We can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that we can’t tell where I end and where you start
Thank you dear, Karis
Above all, giving thanks to God, who brought us to faith in Christ, is forever faithful to us, forgives us when we sin, loves us when we aren’t so lovable, encourages us when it’s hard, remembers us when we forget him, leads when we’re lost and guides us through the sunshine and storms.