London

As our Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 94th official birthday for the first time ever at Windsor castle, a couple of days ago, I was reminded of our brief visit to the same place ten years ago. The weather on that day was quite miserable but last Saturday, the sun was shining on the brightly red clad unique Welsh Guards as they performed the ceremony on this lawn. It is only the second time in her 68-year reign that the usual parade in central London has not gone ahead. Keep safe. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53031609

At the centre of the British Museum sits the largest covered public square in Europe, the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court. Designed by Foster and Partners, the Great Court is a two-acre space enclosed by a spectacular glass roof with the world-famous Reading Room in the middle. 6 December 2020 marked 20 years since the redesigned Great Court was opened. In that time, 113 million people have walked under the glass roof. A place for all, free and open every day to visitors, the Great Court is one of London's most unique spaces. In the original Robert Smirke Great Court design, the courtyard was supposed to be a garden. However, from 1852 many bookstacks were built, and along with the Reading Room it became the home of the library department of the Museum. The department stayed in the Great Court until 1997, when it was relocated to the new British Library building in St Pancras. Now empty, the Museum took the opportunity to once again reopen the space to the public. More on the reading room: www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/architecture/reading-room ( I did not get to see this.) BooHoo

A very rare phone photo here from me whilst on a lightning surprise trip to our capital, London. Part of this trip enabled me to see for the first time, the inside of this most precious esteemed building with all its delights of our worlds histories. Before I got to explore (we only had couple of hours) I spot two wonderful staircases of which one is shown here. I never did get to go up it. I could write and leave millions of words of description here but I shall leave the research up to you my viewers. Only I shall say: At the centre of the British Museum sits the largest covered public square in Europe, the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court. Designed by Foster and Partners, the Great Court is a two-acre space enclosed by a spectacular glass roof with the world-famous Reading Room in the middle. December 6th 2020 marked 20 years since the redesigned Great Court was opened. In that time, 113 million people have walked under the glass roof. A place for all, free and open every day to visitors, the Great Court is one of London's most unique spaces. In the original Robert Smirke Great Court design, the courtyard was supposed to be a garden. However, from 1852 many bookstacks were built, and along with the Reading Room it became the home of the library department of the Museum. The department stayed in the Great Court until 1997, when it was relocated to the new British Library building in St Pancras. Now empty, the Museum took the opportunity to once again reopen the space to the public. See followable PiPs. More on the reading room: www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/architecture/reading-room ( I did not get to see this.) BooHoo Enjoy full screen.

In celebration of our Queens Platinum Jubilee I share memories of my visit to London in 2010. Here we have the famous Tower Bridge taken in the golden hour. Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge, built between 1886 and 1894, designed by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry with the help of Henry Marc Brunel. Enjoy.

As Britain celebrates our Queens Platinum Jubilee this weekend, I share memories of my visit to London in 2010. Here we have the famous Tower Bridge taken in the golden hour. Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge, built between 1886 and 1894, designed by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry with the help of Henry Marc Brunel. See PiP and last photo for arched view. Enjoy.

As Britain celebrates our Queens Platinum Jubilee this weekend, I share memories of my visit to London in 2010. A familiar if not interesting view of our famous Westminster Bridge landmark.

A trip to London in 2010 brings us to the London home of our Royal family. A drab day that does not bring out the best of the building. Behind it, is one of the nicest gardens in London. This weekend in May 2023, it is the scene of thousands of well-wishers as the pageantry of the Kings Coronation takes place with its marching bands and the royal family on the balcony too. Built as a large townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. It became known as The Queen's House. During the 19th century it was enlarged with the construction of three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace became the London residence of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. ~ Wiki