May 2004
END OF THE TRIP: ALMOST THREE DAYS IN LONDON
London - Out on his street One of the fun things to do is take pictures of Bob with signs featuring our surname "Glass"
Our hotel in London was located off Piccadilli Circus on Glasshouse Street. We didn't plan it that way... didn't know about the name until we got there.
Lesson No. 1 This was a welcome site. If you didn't pay heed, you could find yourself as a hood ornament on a hansom cab.
London near our hotel The pub where we had our first London meal is in the middle of this picture. Of course, we had fish n chips. There was a couple nice young men who sat next to us. They were from US and were here for a wedding. One of the young men was the groom and the other was best man. The best man almost missed his flight because of his passport being delayed. He finally got it five minutes before the plane took off. The two of them were taking in the sites a few days ahead of the wedding which was going to be held in Italy.
Typical shot but we didn't pose with him...ha, ha!
Trafalger Square St. Martin in the Fields church has the city surrounding it. This church is the fourth to stand there and was completed in 1726. This church was a favorite place of the late Queen Mother.
In my researching family, there is one person who was baptised here... has yet to be proved.
Inside St. Martin in the Fields As we entered the church, the chior came in for practice. What a thrill to hear the organ playing and the chior singing.
What a beautiful church. It is very famous for the concerts performed here. Carl Grapentine who hosts the morning music on WMFT plays so much that was recorded in this church.
Cafe in the crypt There were no headstones in the church yard which really isn't much now at all. The headstones were used as floor tiles in the catecomb's cafe and gift shop.
Just another shot of a pig cafe This one is near our hotel down one of the smaller inside streets. Because Bob collects pigs this is just another one of those "have to get" pictures.
The couple in the doorway could be spies posing as an older couple. Did they have something to hide? Their identity? Because when I took the camera out, he darted towards the door and she quickly turned away! Suspicious wouldn't you think?
Stone laid by Edward Prince of Wales for the Reign of his father King George V. This picture goes into Karen's eclectic collection of Edward VIII.
Reconstruction of The Globe Theatre on the South Bank of the Thames. Shakespeare would be proud...
This was the original dream and life's work of the American actor and director, Sam Wanamaker.
Blocked entrance way to 10 Downing St. The Prime Minister has heavy protection. His house is further down the street which is blocked off. This is a restricted area.
Egyptian Obilusk on the Thames. This is the oldest structure in London.
Where should we go? Where have we been? Oh, my!
One thing to notice -- Princess Di is on top!
Tattershall Castle Restaurant on the Thames. In Lincolnshire there is the real Tattershall Castle in Tattershall near where we stayed while doing genealogy.
Tower Bridge from the Tower of London. The London Bridge is in Arizona, USA.
Tower of London - Site of Scaffold where Ann Bolyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Countess of Salisbury all saw their fate. Lord Hastings was beheaded near this spot.
Throne room in the Tower of London.
The Bus to Porteus Rd. I can tie anything into genealogy...
Little Venice There were no tourists here in little-known area of London we came upon by chance on our way to Porteus Rd. What a pleasant surprise. This is a working part of London.
A few couples walking, a dog barking, birds chirping... not much more going on.
A Porteous standing under the sign for Porteus Rd. The road sign points to the way. This road is named in honor of Bishop Beilby Porteus who lived in the time of the American Revolution. He was born in York, England in 1731 to a Virginian colonist who had returned to England. Beilby eventually become Bishop of London.
My maiden name is spelled PORTEOUS, but even so, PORTEUS is just one of many ways to spell the family name - worldwide.
Full length of Porteus Rd. From the sign Karen stood under looking up this short street.
We walked up to the end of the street and looked back to the sign. Now there is one more road to visit before we go home.
Abbey Road! We travelled a long and winding road to get here... then we forgot the words. I shouldn't have to explain this picture.
Although the angle isn't quite the same and the VW beetle isn't parked at the side of the road, it was a great thrill getting in this picture.
Bob and I were here at the right time since all the tourists were probably having dinner or watching the changing of the guards.
There were two characters who were also taking pictures, but in costumes of various Beatle albums.
Notice the round light...that tells the traffic someone is in the crosswalk.
Looking back at Harrod's Our cab took us past Harrod's department store (building with domes). Bob and I had lunch there the day before. Between the KaDeWe department store in Berlin and Harrod's here in London, we saw the world's most famous department stores outside of the US.
Our cab ride to the airport cost approximately 50 British pounds which comes to about $100.
What a thrill, what service...those Brits know how to taxi.
Next stop O'Hare
We'll be home in the afternoon.
Did you like the trip?
Copyright 2004 Karen Porteous Glass. All rights reserved.