Sunday 21 September 2014

Gherkin

This weekend was Open House which gives the public an opportunity to look inside private buildings and those of architectural interest. This is an annual event and over the years I have been inside some incredible buildings. This year I decided to queue to  have a  closer  look at the  inside the gherkin..



















There was already a  long queue when I arrived on a wet and misty Saturday morning.
The queue moved slowly.




After 2 hours the entrance was in sight.







We were taken to the top of the building in two different super fast lifts.
This is the view looking up at the  top of the Gherkin

















It was a very dull day outside but I still enjoyed the different views of London.


The new cheese grater building is just across the road from the Gherkin.






















A new view for me of  the walkie talkie

The top of the Shard is shrouded in cloud.













A reflection of the top of the Gherkin reflected onto the floor.










As I walked away from the Gherkin the queue was now twice as long as when I joined it earlier in the day which meant  a four hour wait for some people!

 Sharing with Our World Tuesday

29 comments:

  1. I'm afraid such dedication as a four hour wait is beyond me. The building looks as interesting inside as it does from a distance. The Gherkin sits very comfortably among other and much older iconic London sights. I like the Walkie Talkie building too.

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  2. I've wondered what this building looks like inside. Amazing shots!

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  3. I would've waited in line, too, if I had the opportunity. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Yes, two hours or so was acceptable (barely), but I'm so glad you stuck it out to get these shots! Thank you for your dedication, and your pictures. :-)

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  5. Fascinating structure. What others have you been in?

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  6. Thats a good way to get a new viewpoint - buts its also a very long wait!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    PS: I often wonder if it would even be possible to build buildings like Wells Cathedral these days.

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  7. Oh my God, two hours waiting, that is a long time. But sometimes you have to be patient and I think it was worth it. So nice to have such a pretty view over London and see all the high builings below you!
    After all the shunshine we had, sad you had such a dull weather. Thanks for sharing

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  8. 2hrs???? but it looks like it was worth it. I'm glad you did so we could see inside and the magic views.

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  9. nice views, despite the overcast. Loved the shots of the structure of the dome. wonderful

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  10. The view from there is certainly wonderful, but the building ... I really don't like these modern creations !

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  11. Love the window design shots and worth the wait I bet ~ Wonderful photos for OWT ~

    artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. Even though the day was grey, the photos are great! I love all the shapes and lines.

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  13. Great photos showing the details of this unusual building and of course the different view from up there. (Two I could maybe handle, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't wait four hours for anything or anybody --- glad you didn't have to.)

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  14. Great photos of an amazing building - but waiting for hours to get in - WOW! - what determination and patience! I had a chuckle at the names that have been given to all those unusual buildings. I wonder if the architects enjoy the names??

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  15. I admire your perseverance! Thank you for giving us a different perspective of London.

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  16. Thanks for sharing this awesome tour of the Gherkin. Is that really its name, sounds like a pickle..Love the views, even on a dreary day.. Great post and photos.

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  17. I'm glad you stood in line for two hours so I could see what it was like inside! Catrina and I were just wondering today what nickname had been given to the Walkie Talkie -- now I know.

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  18. Wonderful views from the Gherkin! Thanks for standing in line for so long so we could enjoy these shots.

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  19. Hi I am very glad you waited for 2 hours so that you had these shots to show of this building. I have now safely arrived back from 6 weeks away so have LOTS of editing to do!! Thanks for looking in on my posts while I was away and commenting. I appreciate that very much.

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  20. This is a fantastic event where one gets to see thing that are never seen before.

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  21. What a cool building - I've never heard of it before! Looks like it was worth the wait :)
    Thanks for sharing it with us at WWDD!

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  22. Das Warten hat sich wirklich gelohnt - natürlich besonders auch für uns !
    Schöne Gruß, Luis

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  23. Wow....great views!!
    The architecture is something else....
    But, I think I'd like the "Old" London more...like the White Chapel District that you read about in Jack the Ripper fiction/novels. And Charles Dickens....

    ...that part of London.

    But, what a share!!! Amazing to have to wait so long to get inside. Well worth it tho.

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  24. It was of course the wait. It all looks fantastic.
    Have a nice week

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  25. Great views and I like the structural shots.

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  26. What an amazing building - I'm glad you waited in line!

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  27. What a great opportunity - regardless of the weather. The nicknames (I presume) for these buildings are quite humorous!

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  29. At last I can see the interior of that famous London building ! Thanks for not giving up on the line, the waiting must have been boring, even if it allowed you to capture et cool reflection... I like the shadow pattern you took on the floor. Thanks for the visit and thanks for the sharing !

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