Joshua and I had to be up early today, to get to Westminster Abbey for a 9:15 guided tour. We met our guide, and waited for the rest of the 22 people to arrived. As she went to get our wrist band admission tickets, she suggested that we stay together and mingle. One young lady, with her brother and parents, said she "didn't mingle". I suggested that "those who don't mingle tend to stay single." She and her mother laughed, and the mother said that was a good idea. There was also a family from Freeburg, Illinois, a town somewhat near where I grew up. The mother had attended St. Theresa's Academy, which was co-institutional with Assumption High School. She also has relatives who were in my class. Yet another "small world" proof!
We were allowed to take photos in most parts of Westminster Abbey, with a few exceptions:
the west front
the London Eye
the tour entrance
inside the Dean's Garden (cloister)
Then we exited the Abbey (after a rest stop) and crossed the street to the Houses of Parliament. There is very high security there - bags checked, metal detectors, etc. Also, professional tour guides are only allowed to get you started on your individual head-phone tour, and answer your questions afterwards in the Great Hall. We took our time going through.
Here is a description from Wikipedia:
Sir Charles Barry's collaborative design for the Palace of Westminster uses the Perpendicular Gothic style, which was popular during the 15th century and returned during the Gothic revival of the 19th century. Barry was a classical architect, but he was aided by the Gothic architect Augustus Pugin. Westminster Hall, which was built in the 11th century and survived the fire of 1834, was incorporated in Barry's design. Pugin was displeased with the result of the work, especially with the symmetrical layout designed by Barry; he famously remarked, "All Grecian, sir; Tudor details on a classic body".
Victoria Tower
up closer
the window in Westminster Hall
a lighting sconce in Westminster Hall
the entrance to St. Stephen's Hall
in St. Stephen's Hall - Joshua taking it all in
We went out to lunch at a pub in Knightsbridge, taking a quick look at the London Oratory, and Victoria & Albert Museum. We got to the latter just before they started closing for the day, but got to see some interesting exhibits.
It was soon time to head to Shakespeare's Globe Theater on the South Bank. The play was "Othelo", and it was very, very good. We both enjoyed it more than we expected.
the stage and the "yard" - for standing patrons
view of the yard and three levels of seating
our seats - up high, above the stage
At the intermission, I mentioned to other patrons near us that this was yet another Shakespearean irony: those who were standing needed to sit, and those who were sitting really needed to stand and walk around some!
the exterior at the end of the play
To get to our preferred tube stop, we crossed the Millennium Bridge, and had a great view of St. Paul's Cathedral at night:
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