I could easily sleep until lunch time on Saturdays, particularly after the early mornings that the weekdays have included... But not on D's watch.
I was woken at a ridiculous time (I'm talking single digit o'clock here people!) on Saturday morning by an excitable D, equipped with a Lonely Planet England book, map, list of things to do and camera. I knew immediately that the day would be one full of surprises because usually D is not so excitable in the mornings and equipped with either his Kindle, a cup of tea or dried up drool in his beard. Possessing none of the regular morning accessories, I could safely assume that the day would be filled with all things magnificent...
I got ready in record time. I'm pretty good at it now, or perhaps I'm just getting less obsessive about the even-ness and thickness of my winged eyeliner. We set off in the fresh morning breeze and were soon on our way to the first pit stop (and covered in sweat by the time we got there... Thanks a heap Mother Nature for the spontaneous change in weather).
I was woken at a ridiculous time (I'm talking single digit o'clock here people!) on Saturday morning by an excitable D, equipped with a Lonely Planet England book, map, list of things to do and camera. I knew immediately that the day would be one full of surprises because usually D is not so excitable in the mornings and equipped with either his Kindle, a cup of tea or dried up drool in his beard. Possessing none of the regular morning accessories, I could safely assume that the day would be filled with all things magnificent...
I got ready in record time. I'm pretty good at it now, or perhaps I'm just getting less obsessive about the even-ness and thickness of my winged eyeliner. We set off in the fresh morning breeze and were soon on our way to the first pit stop (and covered in sweat by the time we got there... Thanks a heap Mother Nature for the spontaneous change in weather).
Abbey Road
I love The Beatles, don't get me wrong, but the Abbey Road crossing wasn't exactly a pilgrimage I intended on taking before I die. It was merely a case of close proximity and 'why not-ness' that lead us to stop by and have a glimpse of the iconic cross walk.
The crossing itself isn't exactly mind blowing... I mean, how spectacular can six white lines on road be? What I did find spectacular however, and far more entertaining, was the never ending progression of uncoordinated tourists who continued to pour over the road, determined to capture the perfect shot. What was hilarious though, was the fact that no single person walked across that road normally. I think a large part of the effectiveness of the album cover, is the candidness of it all. It's effortless and casual and ALL the things that these tourists were not. Perhaps the road really does possess some kind of magical power, a power that makes people walk like fools. And how foolish they looked... Same arm as leg as they strutted across, looking awkward and forced. It was painful and hilarious to watch, but mostly mesmerising, as we realised we'd been standing there for a solid half hour.
I pity the local residents, who approach the crossing in their cars, prepared to stop for the pedestrians to cross (as that is the general rule of pedestrian crossings...), only to be told to "keep driving" by the snap-happy pedestrians who would rather a photo without a car in it, than simply enjoy the experience of walking across the road. Between the shouts to "keep driving" from the pedestrians and the tour guides yelling "you have right of way people, just keep walking please", with people darting across the road to line up and walk from left to right, walking like silly tin men for the photo and then running into the middle of the road to swap positions with the camera person, it was complete and utter havoc.
Despite all the silent judgement of every single person to cross that road, we too participated in the age old tradition because despite looking 'totally lame', who were we trying to kid? We're the lamest kids on the block and this was a photo that our albums simply couldn't be deprived of... Though, having watched about one hundred people do the same thing, we thought we'd try something a little different. Not cool, amazing, inspiring kind of different. Just different.
So here D is, lining up his shirt with the road (almost, my photography here was a little sketchy, sorry D). And here I am cartwheeling across because... Well, why not?
So here D is, lining up his shirt with the road (almost, my photography here was a little sketchy, sorry D). And here I am cartwheeling across because... Well, why not?
The studio itself and the graffiti covered walls surrounding it, were very photogenic. And although at first sight the graffiti upset me, with a closer look I realised most of the scribbles were Beatles quotes and it made me feel happy again. Here are few...
Big Ben, London Eye and Westminster Abbey
After Abbey Road and a trip to the smallest Beatles themed coffee shop in the world (probably), we jumped on the train to the next destination... We pulled out the big guns next, as we walked down Abingdon street towards the 'post card attractions'. It was time to get our serious London tourist pants on and pose in front of huge monuments! Woo Woo! Here are a few snaps...
St James' Park, Buckingham Palace and Various Wanderings
I love grass. I love big, wide expanses of well groomed, delicious smelling, green grass. This instantly makes St James' Park a favourite for me. I also love it when it's covered in ice and hungry squirrels, like last time. But there's something really incredible about seeing it so green, it makes me smile really big.
This is what it looked like when we came to visit in February last year...
And this is what it looked like on Saturday...
Glorious! It was just too bad we had to share the park with approximately one million other tourists (unlike in winter when we had it to ourselves) and a few grumpy looking locals (though really, what do they expect?), trying to enjoy a quiet picnic. Although it was beautiful, the crowds were too dense and the running commentary from tour groups passing was a bit of a buzz kill... Time was pressing on and D had a strict schedule of events and destinations, so I took lots of brain photos, soaked in the brilliant shades of green and scooted after D before I lost him in the crowd. Although I was sad to leave the park so soon (though no amount of time would have been enough), I had to keep reminding myself that it's all my backyard now... I can go back any time and sit and watch the world go by (that idea excites me). There's no rush any more. We're not flying off to another country any time soon. This is it. We're here for the long haul, so what ever we don't see today, we can see tomorrow. No biggy.
We went to visit the Queen next... Well, the building she lives in at least. Wouldn't it be nice if she just popped her head out every so often? You know, to wave hello and raise her tea cup out to us... That's what I would do if I were queen. What else have you got to do all day? May as well give the tourists something to remember and a photo to show the grand kids. Imagine that? Lizzy sticking her head out of a window, curlers in, nightgown on, tea in hand... What a photo! Much better than the boring gates and stale Royal Guards.
Unfortunately there was no surprise visit from the Queen, so photos of D and I in front of the gates will have to suffice.
We went to visit the Queen next... Well, the building she lives in at least. Wouldn't it be nice if she just popped her head out every so often? You know, to wave hello and raise her tea cup out to us... That's what I would do if I were queen. What else have you got to do all day? May as well give the tourists something to remember and a photo to show the grand kids. Imagine that? Lizzy sticking her head out of a window, curlers in, nightgown on, tea in hand... What a photo! Much better than the boring gates and stale Royal Guards.
Unfortunately there was no surprise visit from the Queen, so photos of D and I in front of the gates will have to suffice.
I lost track of exactly where we went to next, I was hungry by this point (who am I kidding? I am always hungry, but especially at this stage) and went into a 'food obsession coma', where everything is a blur and people's faces start looking like lamb chops. Here are some photos though...
St. Dunstan in the East and Tower Bridge
D wouldn't tell me what the last place we were visiting was... We jumped on a train for a few station, then wandered around the back streets of London. In amongst the high rise buildings and hustle bustle of the streets, is an old burned out church. Completely overgrown with vines and rebuilt as an inner city garden, this escape from the real world was nothing short of a miracle at the end of a long day. It was completely still, in contrast to the crazy world outside of it and as we entered through the high, vine covered arch, a sense of tranquillity immediately washed over me.
It was truly spectacular and reminded me of the audio book of the Secret garden I used to own on cassette when I was young. I had no particular interest in the storyline, but recall listening to the section where the secret garden is revealed and described, over and over. Imagining it in my mind, then replaying it again because it sounded so beautiful. I used to aggressively wish (yes, 'aggressively' is the best way I can describe it), that I could one day see something so magical and special.
I have now.
I have now.
In complete awe and a daze of happiness, we exited St Dunstan's church, took a few turns and then, by complete accident, quite literally bumped into the river where we found an incredible view of Tower Bridge. Oh London, you charming fox. You've done a fantastic job in seducing us... So we stayed a little longer, watching the boats float down the Thames and enjoyed the view from above.
By that stage, it was very much time to go home. We saw a lot of amazing sights and had the most lovely time, but nine hours of walking and discovering London was enough... Until next Saturday.
Xxo
Xxo