My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
To view pictures in larger format, just click on any picture for the picture gallery....

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Nothing to do with wildlife!

A slight digression from the wildlife theme and not a bird on site! I did see a frog in the pond for the second morning running - so this is an encouraging sign. And today there were two frogs. The last two years they have spawned in the second and thirds weeks of February respectively - so I shall be keeping an eye on the pond over the coming few days.

Monday dawned fairly cloudy as expected. My daughter and I decided we'd have a day in London. Our goal was to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (2008) competition photographs at the Natural History Museum but, it's the school's half term - and I think every school child and parent found their way to the Museum. We looked at the entrance queue - we turned and went back - to the Thames.

We spent the day walking along by the river just taking in the sights and sounds and this is what we saw.

Walking along the South Bank with St. Pauls Cathedral in the background.

We had a glimpse into the entrance of the Tate Modern museum; we had visited before and acknowledged that modern art is not our taste! Apart from the giant spider, the yellow and blue bed bases all had one book on them - and this in itself was an exhibit.


The view from the Tate Modern

Further along and much more interesting is the Globe Theatre with this wonderful gate (which is one of two)

Detail of one of the embellishments in the form of a Cormorant

A sundial which wraps itself around two sides of this corner
The sun only reaches it in the afternoon - we were too early to read the time!

And a glimpse of the outside of the theatre

This part of the river through London has many glass-walled buildings. Whether you like them or not, they do cause some wonderful reflections. In this "wall of glass" the building is a reflection of the one opposite.

More the traditional style of London

And the Golden Hinde



Entrance to Southwark Cathedral

I hadn't purchased a photography permit so I shouldn't really have taken this picture.
(for far more comprehensive information than I can give, and some good pictures of the interior, pop over to Pete's blog)

General views along the river bank as we approached our goal of...

Tower Bridge width HMS Belfast in the foreground


and three Chinook helicopters flew over the bridge and us!
More reflections on glass walls



and we are getting nearer to Tower Bridge





We then went to the topmost point which is the Exhibition Gallery

with some stunning views across London and beyond






There may be a Part 2 to this post but that's all for now....

17 comments:

Richard said...

Great pictures. You can add "History Teacher" to your resume.

Yoke, said...

Lovely to take this Tricia Tour thruogh the city.

And great pics also. I second Richard's History Teachers resume.

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Richard - but I wouldn't know enough to teach it! lol

Tricia Ryder said...

and thanks to you too Yoke - Glad you enjoyed the tour walk too.

Anonymous said...

That was very interesting Tricia, look forwarded to the follow up. Its OK to diversify sometimes and everybody likes to see these different parts of the country.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos Tricia!

It is like I am there!

Tricia Ryder said...

And you'd be very welcome MaineBirder :D

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Roy - I'll try to post the remaining pictures in due course.

Midmarsh John said...

Lovely to be able to share your day out, Tricia. It's over fifty years since I lived in Woolwich and I think things will have changed just a bit since then. I still miss the variety of places of interest to visit.

Tricia Ryder said...

Glad you enjoyed the day out John :D The London skyline certainly has changed over the last 50 years and not necessarily for the better.

I was saddened in some ways, to see how the Tower of London is now so dwarfed by the new tall buildings that it's almost insignificant. :(

Lily said...

Modern art = lazy con
Photography permit - wtf?!
Great post, great photos, encore!

avalon said...

Wow, loved the ones from the top of the tower what a view!

oldcrow61 said...

oooh, I do like that Gate! Southwark Cathedral is wonderful. Super pictures of Tower Bridge. Always a joy to look at your photos.

Anonymous said...

Thanks - once again - for a wonderful day out in London, Tricia, though I would have popped into Tate Modern Museum!

Anonymous said...

was a good day out mum thanks Love the feel of the old and the new in London the cobbles under your feet and surrounded by glass angles everywhere! But where are the piccies of walkways above us with palms on? LOL SPD

Eagleseagles said...

Shame you dont enjoy Modern Art- we had a brill day there with year 4 juniors before Christmas. I blame your Art teachers!

Tower Bridge is spectacular from the gallery!

My old stomping ground from work - well youth on Work experience placements in lots of these places!

The Wildlife exhibition is well worth another attempt - just go when the kids are back at school!

Cheers

C

Tricia Ryder said...

Lily - thank you; the permit was only £2 which is nothing really and had I paid it, it would have been a donation to the upkeep of the church in my view.

Avalon - the view was impressive!!

OC - the gate was amazing and I'm not surprised you liked it. Next time I'm up that way I intend to get some more pics of it.

Carin - you like modern art?

SPD - twas a good'un indeed. The rest of the pics will come later - never fear!

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