Plan B was to go to the gift shop at Buckingham Palace. Onwards! One of the workers in the tube station was especially helpful, telling us the best access for wheelchairs, and also sending us to a better stop than St. James Park.
We took his advice and soon were strolling through the gardens towards Buckingham Palace.
And realized it was the Changing of the Guard and we were just in time...
We had already missed the parade and the actual changing of the guard was taking place. Not a chance in heck of seeing anything.
This crowd would have seen the parade. You can see one or the other but have to make your decision early.
I snuck my camera up to the gate over someone's head and got this photo.
The police are quick to tell you take a photo and keep moving. So you don't have a chance to see much here.
We kept on walking and came to the gift shop. The items are a bit more expensive, but the things they have are really lovely.
With our purchases in hand, we left just in time to see the exit of one of the bands.
We were really hoping they were going to play something, but that isn't how it works at this stage.
We decided to meander to Whitehall and the Horse Guards Parade and then carry on to Trafalgar Square.
It is truly a lovely walk. The tour guide on our bus a couple of days earlier had said one of the best views of Buckingham Palace is from the Blue Bridge in St. James Park, so we headed in that direction.
I wonder how many gardeners they have?
Our guide had also said that the Queen, although she has lived here for 66 years, does not consider Buckingham Palace her home. She calls it "the office." And I guess I can see why. She much prefers Windsor Castle and Balmoral (says he!).
Queen Victoria sternly regarding her subjects with the Winged Victory on top.
We passed by the West Africa gate, and I didn't realize until I looked at the map when we got home that there is a Canada gate nearby. Maybe next time!
Heading into St. James Park, towards the Blue Bridge...
Our plan was to walk through the park, through the Horse Guards Parade, in front of Whitehall and towards Trafalgar Square.
Lots of friendly ducks...
No love for pigeons here...
And here was the view of the Palace from the Blue Bridge. I'm not sure I agree about it being the best view, but it was nice.
Lots of ducks enjoying the beautiful weather...
Whitehall on the left and the London Eye on the right...
Selfie alert! One this way...
Jump to the other side of the bridge and take one the other way...there has been no lack of selfies so far!
And here is where my sister becomes her father's daughter. This is exactly the type of thing Dad would have done!
Carrying on...love how some of the areas are just wildflowers.
Swans and babies!
Getting closer...Whitehall Palace was the main residence of English monarchs from 1530 until 1698.
Looked like a one-legged duck...
Still looked like a one-legged duck...
Lots of flowers and lots of people...
Well, this was a revolting turn of events. After all that, the entrance to the Horse Guards Parade was blocked off. Going with the flow, we decided to carry on through the Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square.
Statue ahead, which became totally freaky...
Because it was a statue of Captain Cook. Our dad used to often tease us by saying he sailed with Captain Cook. We couldn't believe it!
We would have missed it completely had we gone through the Horse Guards Parade. We whipped out our dad's hats (because doesn't everyone travel with their father's hats?) and had our photo taken.
Moving on...I love all the different monuments.
Approaching Trafalgar Square which is still being guarded by Lord Nelson.
We've noticed these barricades in many places in London. I believe they've been installed so that cars can no longer pose a threat to pedestrians by accessing the sidewalks as they did in the London Bridge attack.
The lions are still watching...
Cool statue...
Apparently, King George IV in front of St. Martin-in-the-Fields...
The tables with people sitting at them? That was our destination. One of our best memories in London was the afternoon we spent here drinking wine and people watching.
We were starved by now and I didn't know if I wanted wine or coffee so I got both. That was one strong cup of coffee!
And then we did what any good Englishman's daughters would do...we donned our father's hats and sang. Oh yeah, you didn't want to be Jim and Trevor that day. I think they were trying to distance themselves from us.
You have been warned...this was after several takes of giggling and forgetting the words.
Pam had brought along some of the best songs we remember Dad singing...
This one gave us an earworm for the rest of the week...I like pickled onions, I like picalilli ♫
Good memories!
And the sun even decided to come out...
I wandered over to Canada House. Apparently it is not open to the public and you must register in advance for a tour. How very un-Canadian!
The National Museum used to be home to thousands of pigeons, but is now mostly home to buskers. Just flying hawks over the areas where pigeons hang out is enough to discourage them. It worked!
Throw a coin onto the flag of your country...
Wow! This was impressive...I didn't see the artist around it, but when we threw a coin in the metal box, we realized he was working on another space close by. He gave us a thumbs up. I am sure their ears are tuned to that sound.
There are some amazing artists with great talent.
I wonder how many times a week he painstakingly writes all this out?
These buskers were all the rage a few years ago. Only this one remained that we could see. I think people have figured out their trick...
It was a great day...singing some of our dad's favourite songs and enjoying the sights of London. Tomorrow, it's Herne Hill Take Two...
1 comment:
I love singing in Trafalgar Square with Me Sissy :-)
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