First Day in London

We arrived to overcast weather, but no rain, temp about 55-58. Brisk, but it felt good after being cooped up in airplanes and airports for most of the previous 24 hours.  We strolled through Green Park (approx 40 acres, compared to Hyde Park at 350 acres).  We got to see the memorial to the Canadian soldiers who were lost in WWI and WII.  It was a really nice water feature with smoothe marble and inset maple leaves that caused ripples.

Next we saw the Victoria monument in front of Buckingham Palace.  She reigned for 44 years in the 1800s and much of the grand structures around London were built during her era.  Didn't get to see the changing of the guards, but there was some "do" going on because dressed out guests were arriving while we watched.

We headed through St. James Park next.  It is a 'bird park' with a number of different specifies of ducks, swans, egrets, and even some pelicans.  Several had baby chicks.  It was very peaceful and the flowers were lovely.  

Swans and babies:

Now that is a big tree!

London eye in the background

We made our way over to Westminster Abbey next, and unfortunately could only see the exterior (too late in the day to get in).  Hard to believe that more than 3,000 people are buried there and all of the monarchs since 1066 have been crowned there.  Amazing amount of history.  I wish I could hear the "ring" of bells play.  They have a full set of 10 tuned bells that can be rung in a "peal" (5000 different combinations of patterns that takes 3 hours to complete).10 ringers memorize the patterns and play through them together for very special occasions.

The Parliament building was next.  We were lucky to be able to see the clock tower.  Its scheduled for rennovation next year and will have scaffolding all around it.  The numbers on the clock face are 2 ft tall, and the minute hand is about 13 ft tall.

We eventually made it to the London Eye and took a 30 minute ride.  It was a great view even though it was still overcast.  Our group got to be in one of the pods all by ourselves.  One particularly funny thing we saw was an upside down purple cow (Cadbury??) that was a jumpy house.  Very strange sight.