I'd also arranged to meet our son Sam for lunch, so nothing was going to get in the way of that appointment!!!
On previous trips to London, we have seen most of the sights we wanted to see, so there was no pressure to rush around.
I'd always wanted to see the Imperial War Museum, but didn't want to drag my wife through it, so today was the perfect opportunity. I'd been reading recently that their Holocaust exhibition in particular was quite good, so I really wanted to see that.
The various interactive displays inside were first class, especially the rooms dedicated to The Great War and the various anniversaries that are occurring over the next few years. So many personal records, accounts and artefacts really showed the personal side of this conflict, from combatants from all sides. It was very respectful to all nations involved.
The Holocaust Exhibition was extremely moving. I thought I had a fairly thorough knowledge of this tragedy, but seeing so many personal accounts, photos and possessions of those who perished really troubled and saddened me. Who knows, the cure for cancer may have died within one of these evil camps. We need to know the truth behind these events so that we can do all that we can to prevent them ever happening again.
By the time I wandered over to the Borough Market to meet Sam for lunch, I was fairly ravenous, as I had walked about 7km already (plus I got up early and did a 10km walk).
The Borough Market was packed with people visiting stalls that sold food of every shape, flavour, culture and breed. There were even rabbits (dead of course) hanging up with plastic bags over their heads to catch any blood that was still to drain out, They were dead and had not been skinned. I couldn't tell if they were gutted, but as this stall sold lots of game meat, who knows.
After leaving Sam I just wandered around London Bridge and Westminster, soaking up all that London has to offer. It really stands out when one listens to what is going on around them, how many languages are being spoken. Coming from Bendigo, where hearing another language is rare, it is fantastic to know that this city is full of people from all over the world. Imagine how many stories there are in that!!
The shapes of the buildings are a real feature.
One of my favourite places in London.
Security ? You bet. I was too scared to stare at the heavily armed police at the gate, let alone take a photo.
The contrast between the old and the new really is stark.
Picadilly Circus - I can't believe how vibrant it is here.
And where would we be without something from Big Ben.
I took a lot of photos on my iPad, but my laptop and iPad are having trouble talking to each other, so I can't upload the photos from it yet.
Tomorrow is Saturday, so I'm not sure what the plans are. Sam is going to let me know where he is playing soccer, and it depends on which team he is playing for. Their reserve team is on top and facing elevation, and Sam is the league leading goal scorer, so that is his preference as he gets a full game. But, the First team is facing relegation, so he has been told they want him in. Bit of turmoil there, but he prefers getting full games so I understand him wanting to play in the Second team.
So, until my next post...
Cheers!
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