It is now Friday the 9th of July and our last day in London. Ray wanted to know what we really wanted to see and had missed so that when we were back home we wouldn't say "we didn't see that". Mary Anne really wanted to see the Florence Nightingale Museum that we has passed on our bus tour and Larry thought it would fun to see Kensington Palace, home of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. Ray put these places in his mind to be "sure" things to weave into our day.
We have shown several pictures of The London Eye in the various albums of London. As we have stated, the Eye was our backyard at the Premier Inn which we saw and passed daily. We started our day at the breakfast buffet in the Premier Inn restaurant that had everything one could want ... all ingredients of a full-English breakfast and more. We really enjoyed that and chatted on what we had done in two weeks and what was on schedule today. We decided to go on the London Eye right after breakfast when the line would be short and it was just opening for the day. The Eye looks like a giant Ferris wheel. There are several pods that hold around 25 people each. At 443 feet (135 meters), the London Eye is the world's tallest observation wheel giving stunning panoramic views of London and up to 25 to 40 miles away depending on weather conditions. The Eye rotates at a leisurely speed which takes about 35 minutes or so from start to finish. Don't miss all of the scenic views taken from the Eye in our album ... be sure to visit.
The London Eye - the pod in which we rode
We have shown several pictures of The London Eye in the various albums of London. As we have stated, the Eye was our backyard at the Premier Inn which we saw and passed daily. We started our day at the breakfast buffet in the Premier Inn restaurant that had everything one could want ... all ingredients of a full-English breakfast and more. We really enjoyed that and chatted on what we had done in two weeks and what was on schedule today. We decided to go on the London Eye right after breakfast when the line would be short and it was just opening for the day. The Eye looks like a giant Ferris wheel. There are several pods that hold around 25 people each. At 443 feet (135 meters), the London Eye is the world's tallest observation wheel giving stunning panoramic views of London and up to 25 to 40 miles away depending on weather conditions. The Eye rotates at a leisurely speed which takes about 35 minutes or so from start to finish. Don't miss all of the scenic views taken from the Eye in our album ... be sure to visit.
The London Eye - the pod in which we rode
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
As we rode the Eye, we had great views of so many of the places we had passed on the bus, in a cab, and walking. It was an awesome ride!
The Golden Jubilee Bridge and River Thames from the Eye
The Golden Jubilee Bridge and River Thames from the Eye
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
The BT Tower with all of the receiving and sending broadcasting dishes and antennas behind the Charing Cross Station
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
London Eye pod travel!
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
We then headed to the Florence Nightingale Museum. Mary Anne made a great choice! The history of this great woman and her movement for nursing is so well documented. There are several listening stations throughout that you listen to using stethoscope earphones. There was a group of school children that were hearing a docent tell the Florence Nightingale story with them asking questions and her giving expert answers. Do you think any of them noticed that I was a little over 8 to 10 years old or that I fit right into their group? We spent quite some time wandering around the museum and picking up a lot of knowledge. Ray and Sandra had not been here before, so we all enjoyed a first visit.
The Florence Nightingale Museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Sandra and Ray having a great goof-off fun with the stethoscope tour devices
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
A nursing dress from the Nightingale era
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Ad for nurses wanted for the US Department of Veterans Affairs on display
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Leaving the museum, we walked to and over the Millennium walking bridge over the River Thames on our way for more sight seeing. We were on our way to St. Paul's Cathedral for a close-up look.
The Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Mary Anne & Larry on the Millennium Bridge
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
St. Paul's Cathedral
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
The Queen Anne Memorial Statue outside of St. Paul's
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
We then hopped into a London taxi for a ride over to Kensington Gardens. Here is located Kensington Palace the home of Prince Charles and Lady Camilla. This was the palace where Charles and Diana lived their married life and Diana called home. The actual area of Kensington Gardens is huge. There are open fields, a large pond, children's play area, beautiful trees and scrubs, a place dedicated for children from Princess Diana, and the grounds, gardens and palace of Kensington. The palace is the home of Prince Charles naturally with restrictions to most parts of the palace. But there is a walking tour of 16 or so rooms for tourists. Before entering, the ticket salesman cautions that if you are entering to see the life of Diana, it isn't to be; don't imagine that is high on Lady Camilla's list! They have made a game of the Kensington Palace tour which is really fun. Each person is given an Invitation for you to explore the Enchanted Palace. You are charged with seeking out the seven princesses who have lived in Kensington Palace and write their names on the brochure's dance card. Each room has clues to the name of each Princess woven in the decor, accessories and signs of the rooms; there are some dresses, perhaps a nursery, paintings, artefacts, and other clues. Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace. The brochure guide and clues help with the rooms' clues to get all of the names. At the end, we did find all seven ... Mary, Victoria, Charlotte, Caroline, Margaret, Diana, Victoria, and Anne. We all had a great time and also a new experience for Sandra & Ray.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Gardens at Kensington Palace
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Kensington Palace Gardens
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
We walked through the lovely Kensington Gardens Park and found ourselves at Prince Albert Hall and the Prince Albert Memorial. Queen Victoria's love of her life, Prince Albert, was memorialized by the Queen for all of the world to share with her. Prince Albert Hall is the home to many concerts and programs, known as the best of the best in London. It is a beautiful building that is active every evening with various performances. Outside of the Hall is the Memorial to Prince Albert. It is stunning, large and glorious ... a great memorial to the love of Queen Victoria. The gold guild sparkles. Each corner of the memorial is dedicated to one of the continents of the world with specific carvings depicting the peoples and lives from that continent. It is spectacular to say the least.
Prince Albert Hall
Prince Albert Hall
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
The Prince Albert Memorial
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Prince Albert statue in the memorial
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Corner "continent" of the Prince Albert Memorial
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
The other side of Prince Albert Hall has another statue of him. The employee at the Hall told me that it had quite a history. Originally it was being built to celebrate the great Exposition. Unfortunately it was not finished in time. So it was decided that it would contain a statue of the reining Queen, Victoria. Before it was completed, Prince Albert died; Queen Victoria was heart-broken. She instructed that this unfinished piece would be a statue of her love, Prince Albert. That is how the statue was produced!
Prince Albert Statue at front entrance to Prince Albert Hall
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Then we ended up at Hamley's, the toy store of London ... and I might add the toy store of all toy stores! Hamley's is celebrating it's 250th anniversary, opening in 1760. The store is full of every type of toy that you can imagine. On each of the five floors there are demonstrators showing various toys and how to use them or operate them. This is always a must stop when the grandchildren accompany Sandra & Ray to London ... and we can see why! We had so much fun looking around and purchased magic slates for each of our five grandchildren. They will get several hours and years of enjoyment from them.
Hamley's - 250 years
Hamley's - 250 years
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Hamley's bear
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Mary Anne with Lego's Buzz Lightyear at Hamley's
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Continuing our day we passed the London Palladium
...and then on to one of the oldest stores in London ... Liberty. What a great store. The furnishings are beautiful and the store elegant with a center square that the floors are built around. The merchandise is upscale and gorgeous!
Liberty
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
The center square of the elegant Liberty
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
After leaving we then approached Oxford Circus and St. Christopher's Place. Oxford Circus was developed to be a main hub of shopping with large buildings and storefront windows. The developers on the other side of the street wanted more up-scale clients and discouraged the everyday shoppers. The buildings are smaller, less window coverage and smaller doors. This is more elite! In this general Oxford area we passed the London Disney Store that we visited after dinner on our way back to the hotel.
St. Christopher's Place
St. Christopher's Place
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Mrs. Kibble's Olde Sweet Shoppe
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
Our delightful last dinner was at the Pontefract Castle at Nicholson's Restaurant-Pub. It was a great place to relax after our full day and have a great dinner. Tomorrow morning is off to the airport to fly back home, so this was our last dinner in England and with our fabulous tour guides, Sandra and Ray. How do you end a trip to London, England? In Larry's perception with great friends and family and an English Fish & Chip Dinner! Delicious!
The Pontefract with the Fab Four!
The Pontefract with the Fab Four!
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| From 2010 - London Eye Views, Florence Nightingale, Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, Hamley's - July 9th |
What a wonderful last day of our trip. View all the pictures by clicking this link.
As a post script, on Saturday morning at 8AM, we bid our farewells to Ray & Sandra, took a cab to Heathrow Airport and said good-bye to London as we passed Buckingham Palace and other sites from our stay. We were asked at the airport if we would switch from US Airlines to Air New Zealand. We had the same seats we had reserved on US Air, were given food vouchers for the delay in departure, and the New Zealand flight was direct to LA with no layovers as US Air had, and arriving 1 1/2 hours earlier than we would have on our US Airways flight. The plane was comfortable with the back seat TVs, two food meals, and pleasant attendants. We flew north over Greenland and through Canada before coming down in LA. We were amazed that we were not flying over ocean but 95% or more of the time it was land. If the price is right and you can, try flying Air New Zealand on your European holiday!
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