>>>>

Friday, August 08, 2014

Take me to Big Ben! ((and everything else!))

20140804_113255
There are some things in London that are SO big, you just can’t get far enough away from them to fit them into a photo.

Parliament would be one of those things.

And every angle is a new view.

And you take so many shots trying to capture everything, only to find that many of the photos are back-lit behind the building because you are there on a summer morning with the sun shining from the east!

And you suck it up anyway and take the photos knowing they are going to show up in silhouette because that in itself can be a very cool thing as well.


You run around from  monument to building to church crypt-gone-café because you only have so many hours and you HAVE to fit it all in!

20140804_103523

St Paul’s Cathedral from the upper deck of the Bus!

This is probably the best photo I got, because when you are on the grounds, you can’t get far enough away to get the whole thing in a photo without trees blocking your view.  Bus photos are great!

20140804_105447

And some water marks are upside down, but I don’t have time to fix it! LOL!

This is Trafalgar Square!

20140804_105405

Taking photos of Brenda taking photos!

20140804_111454

We are headed here…with parliament and big ben in silhouette.

20140804_111742

Hello, clock tower!

20140804_114258

Westminster Abbey was CLOSED the Monday we were there!

I had really wanted to get inside the Abbey.  The floors in there are magnificent, but we were able to walk the grounds and visit the gift shop.

There is a whole lot of gothic-ness going on in the slide show below, but before I post those I want to share this funny moment!

20140804_121721

Guy sets up to play bag pipes on street.

Watch what happens!


I had no sooner started to record him when the policeman  walked over and stopped the whole thing!

Oops! I guess you are not supposed to play HERE!

20140804_121653

Evidently the Churchill Monument is a bag-pipes free zone!

There are too many photos to do this any other way so I am uploading them into a slide show.  Click the image below if you are unable to view the slide show on your mobile device.  You’ll be taken to the photo album for viewing.
Big Ben, St Paul's & Westminster Abbey 2014




Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!

Click Here to join our sister group, Quiltville's Open Studio on Facebook, a place to Sew, Share & Grow!!

7 comments:

  1. I think the piper knew he was in the wrong as he moved away as soon as the security guard approached. There are only certain places where street performers can perform in central London, and they need a permit, or else crowds build up and the flow of pedestrians is compromised. It does seem a shame, but it is for safety reasons. You can often hear very good musicians on the underground or on the bridges. I love them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are a woman after my own heart. When I travel I love to take pictures of doorways. You would love The Netherlands they have awesome doorways and unique décor on the doors. Thanks for sharing your adventure in the UK.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So Sorry the Abbey was closed. You look so relaxed by the fountain! Is the DH taking your pictures. Hope he gets in some too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You got some really great shots Bonnie. I have some of the same ones from January 2009 when I was there. Seems like a lifetime ago. Did you notice that you labelled Westminster Abbey, Winchester Abbey? Is that one near your home? Have a great time in Birmingham this weekend. Love your blog. Julie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous12:17 PM EDT

    Hi Bonnie, so sorry that the Abbey was closed, perhaps to preserve the floors from drool! Check out the web site for the 'Cosmati pavement' laid down in 1268, see how many quilt blocks you can name. There really is nothing new under the sun. Have fun in Birmingham.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Was that St. Martin in the Fields' Cafe in the Crypt? I used to study there during my semester in London! I loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love seeing all your pictures, I will be in England in about three weeks, so this has been a great preview. I enjoy all your travels (and QUILTS).

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)