Hyde Park: Rose Garden

Within the borders of Hyde Park one can find the Rose Garden. As the name implies, there are loads of roses in the garden. Unfortunately, it was a little early in the season for most of the roses to have bloomed.

An interesting fountain I found as I wandered through the garden.

Planting area alongside the footpath. There were many of these.

Another angle on one of the planting areas.

And yet another.

Close-up of a pink rose.

And another close-up.

More planting beds.

Yellow and red this time.

Another rose close-up.

Apparently, dogs are not required to be on leads.

A vine-covered arch shades this footpath.

Another take on a planting bed.

A fellow park goer plays with his dog.

Hyde Park: New Zealand War Memorial

On the opposite side of Hyde Park Corner from the Australia War Memorial is found the New Zealand War Memorial, commemorating those from New Zealand who died alongside their British allies. Again, please follow the link to the official New Zealand War Memorial site for detailed information.

New Zealand War Memorial.

Facing northeast toward Piccadilly.

Another view looking southeast.

And facing east.

Hyde Park: Australian War Memorial

Another very important monument for the British is the Australia War Memorial. It commemorates Australians that have died in war as allies of Britain. Find the link to the official web site for the memorial in the British Landmarks I've Visited section.

Some wreaths remain from the 2009 Anzac Day ceremonies.

Following the curve of the memorial.

Another view of the memorial.

Australian War Memorial, Hyde Park Corner, London

Final view.

Hyde Park: Wellington Arch

Located on Hyde Park Corner, the Wellington Arch is an English Heritage Location. Please refer to the British Landmarks I've Visited section for greater detail.

The Wellington Arch is at the center of a pedestrian thoroughfare.

Detail at the top of the Arch.

Statue at the top.

Another view of the Arch.

Side view.

Corner view.

Statue of the Duke of Wellington.

A Walk Around Hyde Park

Today I decided to check out Hyde Park. Together with Kensington Gardens, it's one of, if not the, largest open areas in London. I have to hand it to Londoners - they have many beautiful parks, and they're rightfully proud of them.

Map of the park. While it seems great at first, these maps are rather difficult to follow, because most of the paths are not marked.

My arrival point at Hyde Park - Hyde Park Corner Underground Station. Did I mention I love the underground?


Yes, the Underground. Another quintessential London marker.

Looking up Piccadilly from Hyde Park Corner.

Apsley Gate.

Apsley House Wellington Museum.

In some areas, the grass and flowers are left to grow.

One of the wide footpaths through the park.

Hyde park is full of scenic and picturesque vignettes.

Another scenic location.

There are lots of pigeons, noted for their lack of fear of humans.

Alongside The Serpentine, chairs are provided by Royal Parks for patrons to relax. I found chairs provided in all the parks I visited.

Close-up of interesting blooms I found on a tree.

Another scenic view.

Looking back down toward The Serpentine and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Worry not, there will be separate entries for those locations.

More interesting flora. These flowers were about a quarter inch in size.

The Old Police House, located in the center of the park.

And they do have oak trees in England, I found.

This one is for Walter.

Some Quality Airplane Spotting at Heathrow

Today I decided to relax and not go too far from the hotel. I've been running around quite a lot these last few days, so I needed the rest. Of course, as you all know, I find airplane spotting to be very relaxing and enjoyable, so that's all I did today. For hours. C'mon, it's HEATHROW for cryin' out loud - an airplane spotters paradise. I took almost 200 photos (glad it's digital), and I'm including a few here that turned out. Admit it - this is really what you've been waiting for.

First, let me introduce you to one of my my newest plane spotting perches. It's at the southeast corner of the airport. While there is no In-N-Out Burger like LAX, the underground station is only 30 yards away.

First airplane - a British Airways Airbus A321-231, registration G-EUXF. A little Internet research indicates that, in addition to London, fellow plane spotting geeks have documented this aircraft in Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich, Geneva, Copenhagen and Brussels.

A little further down the road from the main perch, directly under the flight path, I captured this British Airways Airbus 319-131, registration G-EUPK. Wow, this little fella has been all over Europe: London, Manchester, Brussels, Munich, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Prague, Stockholm, Balse, Stuttgart, Newcastle, Hamburg, Belgrade, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Sofia, Cologne, Warsaw, Rome, Frankfurt, Birmingham, Madrid and Paris.

Back down at the main perch, I photographed this Aer Lingus Airbus A321-211, Registration EI-CPH. It too has been in many European cities, including London, Dublin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Vienna, Girona, Manchester, Poznan, Warsaw, Faro, Cork, Alicante, Malanga and Paris.

Although I am not a huge Airbus fan, I'll admit that the A340 and A330 look very graceful upon landing. This Virgin Airways A340-642, registration G-VYOU, is no exception, looking like a bird getting ready to set down. As you might expect, this long haul jet has been all over the world: London, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Boston, Los Angeles and Sydney.

Until the Airbus A380, the Boeing 747 was the undisputed King of the Sky. Well, even though the A380 might be a little bigger, the 747 is still royalty to me. This Korean Air Boeing 747-4B5, registration HL-7402, has been spotted all over the world. Cities include London, Los Angeles, Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Shanghai, Toronto, Atlanta, Washington DC, Sydney, Alajuela, Paris, Warsaw, Brasilia, Frankfurt, New York and Budapest. My fellow airplane spotters at airliners.net also indicate that this very aircraft carried the president of Korea, Mr. Roh Moo-hyan, to Costa Rica on September 11, 2005.

I found another watching perch after dinner, this on at the northwest corner of the airport. Taking off is a British Airways Boeing 747-400 series. Because the registration number is indiscernible, I can't provide the exact model number or spotting history. But, to make it up, visible in the background is the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow.

And to close, another British Airways Boeing 747-400 series. Again, it's too far and too dark to make out the registration number. I feel comfortable in saying though, that since it's a long haul jet, it's been all over the world.