Around Tower of London and Tower Bridge

The first two places I visited today were the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. Construction of the Tower of London began in 1066, and the Tower Bridge was constructed between 1886 and 1894. At 20 quid, I decided against going in.

Looking south at one of the curtain walls of the Tower of London. The curtain walls were built in the 13th century.

The northwest corner of the Tower of London.

West side of the Tower where curators have prepared for an exhibition.

Southwest corner of the Tower of London.

The south side of the Tower, along the River Thames.

Along the south side of the Tower of London.

More along the south side.

The Tower Bridge looking toward the southeast.

Details of the upper spans of the Tower Bridge.

Looking back at the Tower of London.

Close shot of the North Tower of Tower Bridge.

Approach support before the North Tower.

Another full shot of Tower Bridge looking toward the southwest.

Butlers Wharf, which is just south of Tower Bridge and across the River from St. Katherine's Pier.

A sundial at St.Katherine's Pier.

Close detail of one of the Towers of Tower Bridge.

Taken from Tower Bridge, some of London's skyline. I call the one building the London Egg.

Butlers Wharf taken from the Tower Bridge.

Lambeth College, as seen from Tower Bridge.

Stonehenge

Today I drove to Stonehenge. It was raining, but I was still able to get some photos. No need to individually caption these photos.

Around Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

After the Eye, I cross Westminster Bridge to check out the Houses of Parliament and Saint Stephen's Tower, aka Big Ben.

Wide view taken from across the river next to the Eye.

Top of Ben.

Big Ben.

Across the street from Big Ben - I didn't know they had named a tavern after me.

Building across the street from Big Ben.

Street view near H. of P.

I had to include this.

Another street view.

Closer in, we see the taxi has my initials.

More of Ben.

Further out from across Winston Churchill Square. The people in the shot are Sri Lankan protesters you may have heard of on the news.

A final street view.

Around the London Eye

Directly south of the east entrance of the pedestrian bridge is the London Eye. The Eye is on Queens Walk, along with the Dali Museum and the London Aquarium.

London Eye. Note the moon.

Hub and spokes look like a giant bicycle wheel.

When this photo was taken, the intended subject was the pair of musicians. I actually didn't notice my fellow observer looking up at the Eye.

Detail of one of the carriages.

The London Aquarium.

Detail on the building.

County Hall Museum.

Looking back at the Eye.

A view of the museums and Eye from Westminster Bridge.

Near Waterloo Station

Arrived in London today after a tiring journey. I went straight away to the hotel after picking up the car, but was unable to sleep. So, without sleeping for thirty hours, I took the bus back over to Heathrow and got on the tube (Piccadilly Line, then the Jubilee Line) and ended up at Waterloo Station. These photos are from the area around the station, as well as a pedestrian bridge crossing the River Thames.

Near the station

Another street view near the station.

A church just up the street.

Getting close to the river; Royal Festival Hall

Approaching the pedestrian bridge

Looking across the River Thames.

Another cross-river view.

The Waterloo Bridge.

On the pedestrian bridge.

Looking down from the bridge.

Closer in.

Skyline with Waterloo Bridge in foreground

My first blue spot.

It's Almost Time for European Vacation 2009

Well, less than two weeks remain until I depart for London. I should call this trip my personal European Stimulus Package. At any rate, it's my first trip abroad; you can't consider my excursions into Mexico as 'going abroad'.

My Air Canada flight leaves from Kansas City on April 28th, and after a three-hour layover in Toronto, I continue to London's Heathrow Airport, arriving at around 11:30 the morning of the 29th.

I'm staying at the Sheraton Hotel across from Heathrow. Most people would have chosen a hotel closer to the city center, but I picked this one for two reasons. First, it was wicked inexpensive, and second, you all know by now that I love airplanes.

I have not come up with a rigid schedule of what to do; rather, knowing what I want to do when I get there, I'm just going to play it by ear. I've hired (British English for rented) a car, so I'll have the freedom to do as I wish. I won't list everything I want to do or see in England, but I am planning on updating this blog while I am over there.

Actually, there is one special item that had to be scheduled in advance. On Monday, May 4, I'm taking the Eurostar train to Paris, and returning to London Tuesday night. I just couldn't go all the way to London without spending a couple of days in Paris. Plus, I'll get to go through the Channel Tunnel, affectionately known as The Chunnel. Paris will be awesome... I'm staying at the Hotel le Pavillon, which is about three blocks from the Eiffel Tower, and about one block from the Seine. I'll be within walking distance of the major attractions.

I return to the States on Thursday, May 7, again through Toronto. Check the blog for updates.