Tag: London

Liberty

Also on Instagram I had seen a picture of an interesting store called the Liberty, so we headed over there. The one we saw-there are several-has an Elizabethan looking exterior and the wood seen there came from ships.

It was built in 1924 although it certainly doesn’t look like it.
Interesting interior too.
It looks like an old market inside. They were well known for their fabric too.
A pub outside. They always look so cool.
This pub is called Shakespeare’s Head and there he is looking down.

Arcades

We walked around a bit in a posh looking area of London looking at the arcades which were beautiful.

The Burlington Arcade. So elegant.
I loved the curved windows.
I think this was the Royal Arcade.
Beau Brummel known for his style was outside one arcade.
Make up for sale here.
We also went into the famous Fortnum and Mason store.
I especially liked this statue on the stairs-there was one on the other side too.

Arrival

I made a quick trip of four days to London with a friend and had a great time. I took the Eurostar which arrives at St Pancras still full of architecture from the past along with the attached hotel.

This is seen as you exit the train.
I liked this statue.
Interesting sculpture.
Here is the lobby of the St Pancras Hotel.
Seen in a bar there.
These stairs are all over Instagram. I had to search to find them and only got this photo as I saw a sign saying guests only. I had staff asking me if they could help me several times as I wandered around a bit.

Best View

On our last day, we headed to the Shard to get a view of London from the 72nd floor. The sun was out so we got some great light. My friend, Lisa, who died a few years ago, went here and loved it. I thought about her as I looked at the view.

Here it is from down the road.

The Tower Bridge spanning the Thames.

Futher away.
Looking up.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
Afterwards, we had fish and chips. So good.
This was in a former industrial area near the Shard with a sort of Brooklyn vibe. I do love good architecture.
A little video I took of two trains passing below.

The British Museum

Our hotel was just a block away from the British Museum and we went in for another visit. You can always find something there that you haven’t seen before.

The stairs as you enter. It was Saturday so it was starting to get crowded but it wasn’t too bad.

A giant horse from a temple.

Assyrian wall sculpture of the king on a lion hunt. Notice the men at the back keeping the lions away from him.
A horse’s head sculpture in the Japanese section.
Armour for a Samurai.
That night we went and saw Mama Mia probably for the fourth time as a play, and many more times for the movie. Such a happy play.

Short and Sweet

Maurice and I made a quick trip to London to look around and to visit a family member. It was very cold but it never rained so walking around was pleasant.

I love the lobby of the hotel where we stayed, the Montague on the Gardens.
A photo of what they call an English breakfast. I’ve done it before-very tasty.
Our train comes into the beautiful and historic Saint Pancras station.

We crossed a canal one day. Notice the boat down there which I think sells books. Wish I had had time to go there.
We went to Notting Hill which was packed with shops, many selling antiques and, well, junk on Portobello Road.
Maybe I should have bought a mink jacket. It was cold enough to wear one.
Notting Hill is known for its colorful buildings like this one. The plaque next to the door says Bankrobber which I would love to know about.