Chapter 86 - London - Sightseeing 4

This is my last blog on London. I wasn't able to see everything in this first, too-short, visit of course. In a way I feel like this was what I've always called the "outline version," and I hope to delve into the "whole story" in another visit.

At the center of London lies Trafalgar Square. It commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 in which the British defeated Napoleon's French navy.

This is a view of the top of Nelson's Column which was erected in the square beginning in 1840. Built of Dartmoor granite, it commemorates Lord Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805), the famous naval commander who led the British fleet to victories over the French, including the Battle of Trafalgar. He was shot during the battle but managed to continue to give orders until late in the battle when he died of his wound.

He is also remembered for his highly publicized, illicit romance with Lady Emma Hamilton, but that's another story (and a movie starring Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh).

This is one of the four bronze lions that guard the base of Nelson's Column.


Made of bronze from cannon of the French fleet, the lions were dedicated in 1867.


This was taken across the square. You can see another statue and the famous fountains. You've seen this square in countless movies, but do you know what's missing here?


This sign explains the emptiness. For decades London authorities fought a battle against the pigeons in the square. After numerous methods, many of which are too indelicate to mention here, they've finally cleared the square. Once or twice a week a man still comes and stands there for awhile with a falcon perched on his wrist, and any pigeons in the area take immediate flight. That's what I call the threat without needing the action, sort of like when Bob would direct "that look" at one of our misbehaving children. No action was needed - just the look.


The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. Founded in 1852, it holds over 4.5 million objects in 145 galleries on a 12.5 acre site. The collections span 5,000 years of art.


There would be no way to see everything in one visit so we contented ourselves with the extensive jewelry exhibit which spanned thousands of years. Kate and I picked our favorites - Renaissance pieces of course - hers emeralds and diamonds, mine sapphires and diamonds - both worth a fortune I'm sure. But even if you had it - or even a copy - where would you wear it? There's just not that many balls nowadays.

I also went to the National Gallery that day and had a wonderful time wandering through galleries of Renaissance to 18th century art. Of course they don't allow inside photography in these museums which is a real shame. I see the point, but I wish I could have pictures of some of the beautiful jewels and paintings.

This is the World War I officer and non-com memorial erected in 1920.


The best for last - the fabulous Westminster Abbey, the traditional site of coronations, burials, funerals and other ceremonies.


Before you go in though, you see Protest Park. Apparently, anyone and his idiot brother can camp out here - sometimes for years - and protest government actions. This includes anything from different wars to presumably fluoridation and other sensible things.


Westminster Abbey for the Benedictine Order was first founded in the 600s with the first stone abbey built beginning in 1045.


It was rebuilt beginning in 1245 by Henry III in Anglo-French Gothic style. This building phase continued until 1517. The two western towers were built in Gothic Revival style from 1722 to 1745.


Most of the kings and queens of England are buried here.


They don't allow interior photography which I really regret.


I actually reached out and touched the scarred wooden tomb of Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400), author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier and diplomat. He is regarded as the father of English literature and was the first writer to be buried in what came to be known as Poets' Corner.

In 1374 Edward III granted "a gallon of wine daily for the rest of his life" to Chaucer for some unmentioned work or favor. What a boon that must have been! It's hard to believe anyone could drink that much, but I know several people who would like to try.

Other poets and writers buried in Poets' Corner include William Blake, Robert Burns, Lord Byron, Samuel Coleridge, Charles Dickens, T.S. Eliot, Samuel Johnson, John Keats, Rudyard Kipling, John Milton, Laurence Olivier (poet of the theater?), Alexander Pope, Percy Shelley, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Dylan Thomas and William Wordsworth.


And let's not forget a few great women writers - Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters.


And of course the great physicist, Isaac Newton. Remember that part in "The Da Vinci Code?" One of the clues to the tomb of Mary Magdalene supposedly could be found at Isaac Newton's tomb in Westminster Abbey.


After hearing that I went to London and what I saw, acquaintances asked, "but didn't you go to ...?" Next visit, folks. And so, farewell to London.