Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The Rail in London



Yes, I am back in London..........and, oh, how I love the train stations in England.  This one in Liverpool Station is clean and well-lit, and look at the architecture!  

Take a Sniff



Although dogs usually don't like bread, I do, because I not a usual dog.  These offerings were typical of the bakeries in London.  The English love their pastries, bread and biscuits (known in the U.S. as "cookies").

London Bridge?



No, that's not the London Bridge over the Thames (pronounced Tems) River.  Look at the following photo and learn this bridge's name!

A Closer Look





We are coming upon the Tower Bridge.  This is one of London's oldest bridges completed in 1894.
40,000 people cross this iconic structure everyday on foot, in cars, or on bikes and motorcycles. 

A New Paint Job for the Tower Bridge



When Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee, the bridge was painted red, white, and blue in her honor (before that it was green).  The drawbridge opens about 3 times everyday to let ships pass through as they sail the Thames River.  The two structures between the towers are pedestrian walkways.

Uh, Oh!




This is where you don't want to enter by boat.  It is part of the St. Thomas Tower next to the Tower Bridge (for which was named).  In London's past, if a subject was sent to the tower, and came through this entrance by boat, he or she was considered a traitor and usually never came out again.

                              

Local Sightseers



These young men in their prep school uniforms were on a field trip to St. Thomas Tower.  They were so well-behaved, but you can tell by their looks that they didn't know what to make of me!

And When Visiting London.......



One of the best ways to tour the capital of England is to take a boat down the Thames (remember, it's pronounced Tems).  I encourage you to visit.  If you take your grandma, she can get a senior discount on the trains and public transportation.  Just tell her to bring her passport to the station to get her discount card.  It's a minimal fee.  Mostly, tell her to relax and have fun!