Travel in London

 I ventured into London yesterday as I wanted to see an art exhibition at the Tate Britain before it ends this weekend. I knew London would be busy as it was the day the Queen's coffin was ceremonially moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in Westminster Palace. I would have watched but I didn't arrive in London until 10.30 which was much too late to find a good viewing spot. What I hadn't expected was the number of road closures, even Trafalgar Square was closed off.

When I say closed off, I don't mean just a cordon across the road but they had erected these high green barriers that you couldn't see through or over.

  

 Security was at its highest with police, soldiers and security guards everywhere. It had been planned down to the tiniest detail but then Operation London Bridge has been regularly updated since it was first planned out in the 60s. Each member of the important Royals has a funeral plan in the name of one of the bridges over the Thames.

These people probably had the best view of all  but I expect the police were up there as well.

This group were standing on top of four telephone boxes!

It has been interesting watching the various ceremonies that tradition dictates. Being over 70 years since the Queen succeeeded to the throne we have only seen her Coronation on the TV but this time cameras were there to record all the duties and ceremonies a new monarch has to perform. The only problem for me was getting home!

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R.I.P. Your Majesty

 It was a shock to hear of the Queen's death yesterday as it was only Tuesday that we were watching her on the news inviting Liz Truss to form a new government.  Many of us have never known another monarch. She was always so dignified and tireless in her duty to the country and the Commonwealth. She will be greatly missed.

Today I went to Buckingham Palace to pay my respects. As you can imagine the crowds were incredible with hundreds and hundreds of people wanting to lay flowers in front of the Palace. So many that you had to wait quite some time to be able to file past the Palace to view or leave the flowers. 

 

 

There was a notice saying that the flowers would be moved from outside the Palace every 12 hours and placed in a special area in Green Park which is next to the Palace.

Regent's canal, King's Cross.

This is a photo of a section of the Regent's Canal which is close to King's Cross St Pancras station. There was much to see in this one snapshot of the canal. The building being constructed is the new headquarters of Google in the UK. It will be 330m long, employ 4000 people and will cost £1billion. To the left of the construction site is a restaurant called the Gas Station. For decades it was  a petrol station but it has been recently converted and they have erected a small section of a gas holder or gasometer which make it stand out. a little further down the canal there are three gasholders  which have been given a new life. Two of the three sit around apartment blocks and the third is a small park.  

This photo was taken a few years ago when they were building the apartments. Next time I visit I will take a photo to show you how it looks now that the work is finished.

Can you see the two arched buildings and what looks like a church steeple in the background?

Well those are the glass roofs of King's Cross station and it isn't a church steeple it is the clock tower of St Pancras station. If you ever come to London via the Eurostar  then you will arrive at St Pancras station.

In the foreground there are two narrow boats moored. The one furthest away from the tow path was like a summer's garden. It had so many plants on it I really wanted a closer look but this was the best I could do.

A little further along the towpath I could see the'Word on the Water ' book barge.

Out on the canal eyeing up his next feed was a heron.

Amazon supermarket

 

Whilst walking around a new development in the London Docklands at the weekend I across this supermarket. Many of you may have already seem them and perhaps used them. I went inside but I couldn't  buy anything as I needed to have the app  on my phone to gain entry and also to buy any of the food. I expect money will no longer be needed soon as everything will be done on a smart phone.

Summer lights

The idea of Summer Lights came during lockdown when the usual Winter Lights festival had to be cancelled due to the restrictions of the pandemic. Organisers came up with an alternative for later in the year based on sunshine rather than lights needing darkness. This is the second one held in and around Canary Wharf, Docklands. I have included the artist's explanation of their work.

 

 As part of the Summer festival there was also this free mini golf course. I was there too early to have a go as it didn't open until the afternoon.

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Nayland, Suffolk

 I am away for a week with my daughter and the two grandchildren. This was booked long ago. Had we known the 4 yr old would be in a full leg plaster cast we would not have chosen this hilly site however it is beautiful. 

The lodge we are in is the first one just through the gate. It is quite small but big enough for the four of us and has a hot tub at the back.

The farm also has a tennis court, indoor swimming pool, playground etc so lots for the children to do.

There are animals that the children can feed such as chickens, horses and pigs. They can also collect eggs from the chicken coup if they want.

There are a number of large solar panels that provide the energy used by the properties.

We are surrounded by beautiful  scenery but we are finding it very physical pushing a buggy across and up the fields and then carrying him into the lodge.

Sorry I haven't  commented this week but my phone just puts me down as anonymous and to be honest I can't  be bothered  to try and sort it at the moment.