Last week we travelled into London to have lunch with our friend, Margaret. Luckily we left early, because the train was delayed for about 15 minutes, due to signalling problems. Back to normal. The Olympics have finished. And so has the ultra efficient transport system!
After a long and leisurely lunch, and catching up on news, Walter and I set off to walk along the South Bank to London Bridge Station. Our main aim, of course, was ensuring we maintained our current fitness programme, but we also enjoy walking along the banks of the Thames River, reminiscing and looking out for new developments and displays.
It is amazing to think we have lived here long enough (20 years) to see significant changes to parts of the city. And the number of cars have more than trebled in that time.
There was a time when we easily drove the car into London and parked it in the streets around the South Bank, before crossing over to the other side of the Thames River. The area was a little rough, I know, but interesting, and we always felt safe. But then it all changed during the mid 1990's and now the South Bank is a thriving area, full of trendy restaurants and cafes. And restored buildings, and pedestrianised streets. And no car parking spaces.
Walter standing on the bridge, looking very dapper.
A view of the business area of London, with the dome of St Paul's on the left. The new mixed in with the old.
The buildings of the National Theatre are still as bleak as ever. 1960's buildings. Stark and unimaginative. Concrete. These buildings could easily have been transplanted from the communist bloc countries. I presume the original buildings were bombed in WWII. Even the graffiti does not help.
We often visited the MOMI (Museum of Moving Images), when it was in one of the National Theatre buildings. A fascinating museum for children and adults alike. I believe that it has been was moved up north somewhere.
What is this? A colourful concrete tree rising from the buildings.
A cafe made from steel plates? Is this is an attempt at creating a large sculpture to complement the soulless buildings? But interesting all the same.
Blackfriars Bridge and Railway Station, with its solar panels, which provide electricity for the railway station. A very modern and efficient approach.
The clumps of silver birches, standing proudly outside the Tate Modern Art Gallery. A green and shimmering oasis. As a restored power station, with enormous display spaces, the Tate Modern is breathtakingly impressive. And very popular.
The relatively new footbridge in the foreground, framed by the buildings on the other side of the Thames, and with threatening clouds bearing down on the scene below. Mysterious London. I have never walked across this footbridge but I believe it no longer sways, unless of course the walkers have had too much alcohol.
The shard, rising above the silver birches. The shard (a building that appears to be a large shard of glass) is now easily recognisable from many parts of London, even from the edge of Swanley, some distance away.
And finally we went inside the Tate Modern Art Gallery, but sadly there was not enough time to look at the galleries. But the people walking slowly together in this photograph are part of a modern art piece. People walking slowly!
The Globe. Home of Shakespeare's plays. I believe the original Globe Theatre was somewhere in this vicinity. But the new Globe Theatre was recreated during the early 1990's. In Shakespeare's memory.
I visited it, in about 1995, when it was still surrounded by boards and scaffolding, and with many, many craftsmen busily working inside. And what a day that was. A wonderful school trip, which started with an art lesson at the Education Centre in the Tower of London, and ended with a tour of the Globe Theatre and a drama lesson in the Education Centre there.
But what I had not fully thought about, was the walk, at a fast pace, along the South Bank, to get from one place to the next. No mean feat, with 25 pupils and about 15 parents following me, negotiating busy streets, and other obstacles along the way, including an ice cream van. Which a parent spotted, and then announced, very loudly, 'ice creams for all' as she ran towards the van. Disaster. Of course my response of 'no ice creams' was not received very well, and after calming everyone down, we set forth again, sullenly and silently. And they did have time for an ice cream at the end of the day, and I received an apology, and we all travelled home happily.
St Mary Overie Dock holds the reconstruction of the Tudor warship, The Golden Hind, looking very decorative in the water. Sir Francis Drake, circumnavigated the world in 1577-1580 in the real ship. But most of all I loved the bicycles attached to railing. A modern touch.
The ruins of Winchester Palace, home of the Bishop of Winchester. This area was once the scene of brothels, rough taverns and theatres. Not a most salubrious place. A bit before my time, I might add.
Southwark Cathedral, hemmed in by buildings. This was once the ancient church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie. None of the figures or tombstones have been damaged in this church. Unusual. Maybe the reformists stayed away from this very rough area. I should have asked one of the church wardens.
Jubilee Market, which is beside Borough Market, and home to some delicious food. We purchased bread for tea.
The view of the street beside London Bridge Station. A London scene with a red double decker bus and London taxis
And finally we arrived at London Bridge Station. The train arrived and it is on time. Hurray.
And there were no delays on the way home. Perhaps the delay in the morning was only a small hiccup and we still have a super efficient transport system.
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