Trafalgar Square

This is Trafalgar Square.  The present square was completed in 1845. The National Gallery (more about that later) is in the background.  The square is the 4th most popular tourist attraction on Earth according to Wikipedia.  It has long been the site of public demonstrations.  The most recent include - a continuous anti-apartheid protest in the 1980's (I assume most of the decade), the announcement of the 2012 Olympics being held in London, and a mass moonwalk the day after Michael Jackson's death.  Of course, there is a ton more history relating to the square, but since I'm not a student of history, I can't get my head around it all.

There is really good information about it on Wikipedia, my most trusted source of info.

A funny thing happened...

We were fascinated by these guards.  Of course had to take pics.  As we were mingling around, John was standing in front of where the gate was, and we heard a LOUD voice.  "OUT MI WAY". John turned around and the guard (the one standing by the horse) was trying to get through to see the guard on the horse, and apparently John was standing in his way! He was holding a big sword! John almost jumped out of his skin, and I have never seen him move so quickly! It was quite funny. Of course it had to be my John that gets yelled at by authority. Unfortunately I can't remember what they were guarding, but I think they are also Life Guards.  I probably dont have that right, I apologize to my British readers if I am telling these stories incorrectly. 

The Life Guards

We looked for the Palace Guards that wear the big fuzzy hats, the ones you are supposed to make move, smile, laugh, something.  Anyway, the guards at the Palace were wearing normal uniforms. But across the street was the barracks for the guards.  These were apparently practicing.  We later found out, the fancy guards everyone wants their pic with, are only on duty during summer months.  The big fuzzy hats are actually made of real bear fur that gets very heavy during rain, so they dont wear them all the time.  It seems mostly for tourist sake.  These are actually called Life Guards. 

Buckingham Palace

Of course, you can't go to England and not see Buckingham Palace.  Amazing. Beautiful. Impressive.

FBI Sighting

Jack and a FB Pencil.

Bobbies

Here's a pic of real bobbies, and a pic of a dork.

St. Pancras, London

Julie and John took us to London for two days.  We took the Bullet Train (operated by Virgin Railways, you know Richard Branson) from Manchester to the St. Pancras Station and Hotel. The station was opened in 1868. It is located on Euston Rd, St. Pancras, London. It also houses the London Underground, King's Cross St. Pancras tube station. The style of architecture is Victorian Gothic.  Exterior shots are seen in the Harry Potter films. Pretty amazing, huh.  We stayed at a youth hostel one block away.

The Beatles Story

This is a replica of the Cavern Club where the Beatles played 292 times.  The album cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is fascinating.  They are all famous people, picked by the Beatles themselves.  Jesus, Ghandi, and Adolf Hitler was requested but not included.  You can see a list of the people on Wikipedia "List of images on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". 

(If I knew how to use the computer better, I could include links to Wikipedia.)

Albert Dock, Liverpool, UK

The Albert Dock was built in 1846. It was named for Queen Victoria's husband, Albert. He attended the grand opening, marking the first time a member of the Royal Family had visited Liverpool. It was used for storage of valuable cargo such as brandy, cotton, silk, tobacco, ivory, and sugar. In WWII it was used as the base for the British Atlantic Fleet. It was damaged by German bombs in the May Blitz of 1941. At the end of the war, 15% was damaged. It is now a tourist attraction, including The Beatles Story, the Maritime Museum, and Tate Modern Museum. Read all about it at Wikipedia, Albert Dock, Liverpool.

Liverpool, UK

There is some amazing architecture in England.  The building with the bird statues on top was used by sailors to let them know they were in Liverpool.  I'm not sure what the other old building is, but, hopefully Eileen or Tony can leave a comment explaining that. The ferris wheel is one of three I saw. The one in London is called the London Eye. Manchester and Liverpool also have their own version, although not as big.

Ferry across River Mersey

We took the underground tunnel on the train to Birkenhead, so we could see Liverpool from across the River Mersey. The first ferry began operating in 1150 AD. After being in England, I got a little more used to seeing things from a long, long time ago. Anyway, as we were walking up the "gang plank" the water was really rough.  Tony was a little nervous about being sick because he had been on a previous trip, but John was absolutely "green around the gills". It was a smooth ride though, and the view of Liverpool is absolutely fabulous!

Just waiting on the train

Eileen and Tony took us to Liverpool. We caught the local train to Birkenhead, across the River Mersey from Liverpool.  We saw Albert Dock, and the Beatles Story. John had his first helping of fish-n-chips, but more about Liverpool later.

Correction from my Westhoughton post, it is spelled as one word. Oops.

TCB in West Houghton

John and I had to TCB (taking care of business) in West Houghton this morning.  We went to the Laundry, the Fruit Stand, the Library and Town Hall, and we saw the Conservative Club (one of the political parties). The butcher is across the street from Ivy's house. They take very good care of her. I also got to see where Ivy was born, the places John used to avoid cause you would certainly get in a fight, where his friends lived, the alley he used to smoke his ciggies before school. It was fascinating.

Buses, Trains, and Automobiles

Of course everyone knows England drives on the opposite side of the street.  (Pic 1).  It was very disorienting at first, but I have gotten a little more used to it.  I would never try to drive here! I have to be very careful crossing the street. The second pic is of the tube (subway/underground) walkway in London.  I was always looking at the "subway tiles" everyone uses in their kitchens or bathrooms.  We also saw a few musicians playing in these hallways and the acoustic are incredible. The musicians probably started out playing there just so they could hear themselves.  The third pic is of the double decker buses in London, and the fourth pic is a taxi.  All the taxis I have seen look just like this, only different paint jobs.

Good to see Ivy

It is really good to see Ivy. We went out to "tea" (we would call this dinner) at a local Italian restraunt.  This was our first night in England.  We have tons to share, but it takes me a little while to think my postings out.