On Saturday, I walked almost 17,000 steps for a total of 161 minutes, covering 12.06 km and burned 644 calories. How do I know all this? Because I have a handy-dandy ‘S Health’ Smartphone App that told me so. Welcome to a day’s walking in London and proof of just how far that can take anyone.
London called this weekend and we answered, deciding to drive rather than take the train not least of all because it was a Bank Holiday, three-day weekend, and typically, Waterloo Station warned of ‘major, disruptive engineering works’. No surprise there.
Driving through London on a Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend is definitely not for the faint hearted, but it turned out good for me as while hubby drove, I managed to snap a few photos en-route ~
Driving through Trafalgar Square April 2015
(c) Sherri Matthews
One of the many things I love about London is the eclectic mix of historic and contemporary architecture. For instance, as you cross the Thames on Millennium Bridge (completed on June 10, 2000), St Paul’s Cathedral stands majestically, ready to welcome you to the other side of the river ~
View of St Paul’s Cathedral approaching from Millennium Bridge (c) Sherri Matthews April 2015
After the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed most of London, Sir Christopher Wren began rebuilding St Paul’s with the first stone set on June 21, 1675, giving us the Cathedral admired by so many today ~
View of St Paul’s Cathedral from Millennium Bridge, Southwark Bridge in front
(c) Sherri Matthews April 2015
Iconic buildings stand side-by-side with towering, glass structures all along the Thames Embankment. The Globe Theatre (built in 1997), which stands about 750 feet from the site of Shakespeare’s original theatre (built in 1599), shares views with The Gherkin (2004) and The Walkie Talkie building (2014).
Not forgetting, of course, Tower Bridge ~
Tower Bridge seen from Millennium Bridge, Southwark Bridge in front.
(c) Sherri Matthews April 2015
But dwarfing all these buildings, old and new, looms a gigantic glass tower which looks just like, well, a shard of glass about to give the sky a nasty scrape if you ask me. No surprise that this building is named The Shard, after its looks, naturally ~
The Shard, London
(c) Sherri Matthews April 2015
The Shard, built and completed in July, 2012, is a 308 meters high, 87-floor glass skyscraper with restaurants, offices, hotel and viewing platform. You can go all the way up to the top to the viewing platform if you are willing to pay £30 per person for the pleasure.
Needless to say, whilst I’m sure that the views of London are spectacular from up there, I stayed put and took these photos from the ground up ~
The Shard, London
(c) Sherri Matthews 2015
Borough Market, one of the oldest and largest food markets in London and just around the corner from The Shard, provided a veritable feast for the eyes if not for the stomach, although I probably wouldn’t have fancied much of anything if I had gone up to the viewing platform, not being one for heights.
As we wandered around the open-air market with Southwark Cathedral as the backdrop, news came in of the birth of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, although we didn’t know her name until the next day. It was exciting to be in London, so close to St Mary’s hospital in Paddington where the Duchess of Cambridge had just given birth, for this historic moment.
I am fortunate to have visited London many times throughout my life, but I was living in California in 1981 when Princess Diana walked down the aisle of St Paul’s to marry Prince Charles, bucking the usual Royal trend of marrying at Westminster Abbey. Like millions of others, I stayed up all night to watch her wedding on television and then went on to work having had barely any sleep. But it was worth it.
And then, tragically, only 16 years later in 1997, I watched her funeral on television from my home, once again in California.
But on Saturday, there I stood, in the heart of London as happy news rang out with celebration and joy for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge and their beautiful daughter who bears her grandmother, Princess Diana’s name. How proud and thrilled Diana would have been…
A classic London Boozer – The Globe Tavern, built in 1872 – sits by the entrance to Borough Market. It was used as the location for the 1992 film ‘Blue Ice’ starring Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins, as well as for ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’ in 2001.
But our celebrations would have to wait until later.
The Globe Tavern (c) Sherri Matthews 2015
The Globe Tavern at the entrance to Borough Market
(c) Sherri Matthews 2015
The weather cleared and sure enough, the skies parted, gracing us with a sunny afternoon. And not just any ‘Sunny Afternoon‘, as this happens to be the name of the absolutely brilliant West End show featuring the story and the songs of the 60s London rock band ‘The Kinks’ and the reason for our visit to London.
Along with his Beatles collection, my dad had a few of The Kinks’ records. One 45 I especially remember playing when I stayed with him as a girl in the 70s during the school holidays (along with more than a few great memories of playing air guitar with him) was this, one of our all-time favourites ~
By the time the show ended and we poured out into the streets, the rain had begun to fall. Great crowds surged towards The Piccadilly Underground, only to discover the entrance was cordoned off. Police cars and an ambulance whizzed by, sirens screaming, and for a brief moment I wondered if ‘something’ had happened, or was about to.
But all was well and eventually, back on the endless stream of escalators taking us ever deeper into the bowels of the London Underground system, we made our way back to our lodgings, safe and sound.
And now you know how I managed to walk so many steps on Saturday. If only I could manage it every day.
With all that walking, I need to take some extra steps to get back on blogging track. This will be tricky for me until next week for one reason or another, but as always, I’ll do my best to catch up with you all as soon as possible. Meanwhile, thank you for bearing with me, your visits mean so much.
After all…
Stand at Borough Market, Southwark, London (c) Sherri Matthews April 2015
…And you all deserve a Sunny Afternoon…
See you soon! Love Sherri x
A View From My Summerhouse 
Ah me my favourite part of many. I could eat from the freebies in Borough market. Sounds like yoavoided the exotic burger stand offering kangaroo and elk and bison?! Next time do see if you have half an hour for a coffee. I’m only 25 minutes away from London Bridge and 15 from Victoria! And happy/sad memories of the royal wedding and funeral . I should post about it sometime. Great photos btw!
LikeLike
It was very crowded on Saturday morning so did a quick scan and probably missed that stand! Will definitely let you know next time, wondered if we were in your stomping ground. You should post about your memories of those days Geoff. I remember feeling more homesick than usual watching those events unfold, both happy and sad. Glad you liked the photos, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boy, you all covered a lot of ground for a weekend jaunt, Sherri. Great photos! I thought of you being there when I heard the Princess was born. I was expecting to see you on the news, running up the steps of the hospital to greet the new Princess. 🙂 I love the Bees Knees sign! Thanks for sharing your trip. Chat with you soon. xoxo
LikeLike
We sure did Jill! Haha…well, there were some who had camped out for days, or even weeks, in advance and although we weren’t that far away, me running up those steps might not have been too far fetched. Although then you would have seen me being escorted away by the police 😀 Thank you! Great to share London with you Jill 🙂 xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful tour, Sherri. I spent a semester studying in London in 1995. My professor was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Globe Theatre, and i got to perform on the stage below a then ceilingless building. So nice to see it completed, as well as the many other building that were not there when I was.
Love,
E
LikeLike
How exciting Elizabeth! Hubby and I saw Much Ado About Nothing at The Globe Theatre a few years ago (and it is still ceilingless just like the original!) and had a wonderful time. Lovely to know that you actually performed there, wow 🙂 Thank you, so glad to share this tour of London with you and bring back some happy memories from your visit! Love back to you… 🙂
LikeLike
Sherri, thanks for the tour of London – seeing all the wonderful, historic places you photographed makes me want to visit! How exciting to be there when Princess Charlotte was born, an event you will always treasure. I was pleased to see the media giving more positive press to Charles’ wife, Camilla, who seems to be adored by both William and Harry as well as their father.
LikeLike
So glad you enjoyed this mini tour Bev, thank you for joining me! It was very exciting to be in London on such an historic day, definitely. Camilla is definitely more accepted now than before, although not that long ago I read that a recent poll showed that most still don’t want to see her as Queen. But I’m glad that you picked up on the more positive news. They are, after all, a family 🙂
LikeLike
What a packed weekend you’ve planned. Wonderful pictures. I love the architecture. In my younger days I probably didn’t notice them at all. Now I marvel at the beauty built by human hands and then there are the ones which have been around for ages and ages.
I so enjoyed your taking us along to London. Thank you, Sherri. ❤ ❤
LikeLike
It was rather packed, but in a good way! I was the same as you with architecture when I was young, not really paying much attention, especially as in my mind, all those old buildings had always been around. But then we realise just how important these buildings are when we understand their historical significance, and yes, I marvel at them now too 🙂 Thank you Tess, so glad you enjoyed this mini tour of London, lovely to share it with you 🙂 ❤ ❤ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again, Sherri. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos of one of my favourite cities. Love the perspective in your Shard pic. 🙂 You and I are once again on the same wavelength, as I posted “Sunny Afternoon” by the Kinks, only yesterday. I would have love to be at that concert with you. Wonderful news about the new baby princess. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your lovely weekend, Sherri. xx *hugs*
LikeLike
Loved your ‘Sunny Afternoon’ post Sylvia, how funny that we both did posts with the same song and we would have had a blast at the show 😀 I’m glad you liked The Shard pics, thank you, loved sharing this part of London with you and also the happy baby news! Hugs back to you 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sherri. 🙂 xx
LikeLike
😀 xx
LikeLike
Seems to be a LOT of walking for a measly 644 calories burned off 😦 Can’t have many of those delicious looking meringues and muffins I spied. Lovely post Sherri covering much of the ground that I did on my trip there last year – is it really a whole year? Crikey time passes so fast… take care, and I hope you have a good week whatever it is you get up to 🙂
Jude xx
LikeLike
Ha, yes! I thought I would have burned off a few more! So glad you enjoyed this mini tour…you were there a year ago? I can’t believe where the time goes, way too fast. Thank you Jude…I’ll be catching up here before I disappear again 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, a long walk, Sherri. 644 cal burned off, Good for you! I really enjoyed the tour, beautiful photos of this grand City! Thank you, Sherri. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Amy, but I wish I could do that walk every day! I would be in great shape in no time, haha 😀 So glad you enjoyed the photos, lovely to share this part of London with you 🙂
LikeLike
So enjoyed tagging along with on your trip into London, Sherri, and the flashbacks to good memories hearing those old songs by the Kinks. I remember them — and not sure but may have one of their tunes in my old 45 rpm collection.
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful little Princess. 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely to share this part of London with you, thank you Pat! And memories of The Kinks too…such great music from an era forever burned in our psyche 🙂 And yes, such happy news of the little Princess, it was so exciting to be in London during such an historic time. I love her name too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely post Sherri – full of photos to take me down memory lane! My first time in London was the day of the infamous ‘Poll Tax Riots’ and we were caught up in the mayhem of it – it makes for a great dinner table story now though! I enjoyed many other days there that were more civilised after that event though. I cannot imagine a musical about the Kinks – but then I couldn’t imagine a musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons either and I saw that in Melbourne a few years back and loved it! I am very happy to see you are being taken out and about and treated to a show by your lovely hubby. We all need such happy interludes between the cares of daily life! xoxo
LikeLike
Ah yes, those Poll Tax riots. I remember them well, but unlike you, I watched them on the television safe in my living room. Glad to know you were unharmed and also that you saw the better side of London too 😉 Such stories for you though! I didn’t know about this show until very recently, it was my eldest son who first mentioned it to us. It was great, like being at a concert of The Kinks back in the 60s although I was just a kid when they first came to fame. Ahh…thanks so much Pauline, how kind of you. These kind of interludes are very important indeed and just as welcome 🙂 xoxo
LikeLike
How fun! I especially like your Shard building shots from the ground floor up! Lots of walking and so many sights to fill those steps. Glad you had a wonderful time! 😀
LikeLike
Thanks Charli, glad you liked those Shard shots! It is so difficult trying to convey just how high it really is in a photograph, so I hoped this would help a little! A lot of walking, yes, but well worth it, and great to share those steps with you 🙂
LikeLike
Hey Sherri,
My youngest daughter & her hubby were in London last week too!! He had a business conference and she flew a day later for her 1st trip abroad. Excited to see her photos also. She did talk about going up in a building where you could see a bird’s eye view. And they loved the underground travel system, much better than being in perpetual traffic jam.
Amazing how small our world has become!!
LikeLike
Hi Kay, thanks so much for coming by the Summerhouse!!! That’s so cool to know that about your daughter and her hubby! I bet she went up to the viewing platform of The Shard. And yes, I have to agree, the Underground is a great way to get around London. It doesn’t matter either if you get on the wrong one, you just get off at the next stop and hop on another going the other way! So glad to know that they enjoyed their visit to our wonderful capital…and yes, such a small world indeed 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Sherri this post is just brilliant! I adore London ~ my friend lives in one of those warehouses behind Tower Bridge ~ and I’ve spent many happy days wandering over the bridges and along the Southbank. The Kinks song just brought the 60’s flooding back, such a great sound. I’m so glad you had a good day out and I am so grateful that you told us all about it ~ and shared the super photos.
LikeLike
I love those warehouses! Oh Brenda, thank you so much, I’m delighted that you enjoyed this mini tour so much, as always, such a pleasure to share a ‘walkabout’ with you and bring back so many happy memories for you too! Love The Kinks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful walk you had on Saturday! 17,000 steps is a LOT of distance covered. I have a step counter that I wear each day and sometimes I don’t even break 5,000 steps! The open air market sounds (and looks) absolutely enticing. I most certainly would have purchased a few of the desserts 😉
LikeLike
Haha, a lot of steps for sure Heather 😀 I was amazed when I saw how far I’d walked! Oh you would have adored the market, I barely managed to get even these photos as it was packed out and too crowded to get near a lot of the stands, otherwise I would have got a lot more. A good excuse to go back, right? 😉
LikeLike
Ha! “There’s an app for that…” Oh, boy.
I was about to say something along the lines of “how did Miss the shard?!” but then saw they built that years after my visits. Thank you so much for this tour. Beautiful photos of a place I adore. This is not helping my itchy feeling to get back there. That AND The Kinks cover band? I’m listening to the clip you posted as I’m typing this so excuse any typos. Love it! 😎
LikeLike
Oh yes Sarah, an App for everything…and to think, I would still trade my Smartphone for my Motorola flip-phone in a heartbeat 😉 Still…I am rather fond of this particular App! The Shard is so new. A few years ago we took youngest son and daughter to the Zombie Walk in the London Dungeons (which scared me half to death, I might add – they loved it, of course ) and the area around the base of The Shard was still a building site. Arrrgh…sorry for that itchy feeling…know it so well. All this talk of pineapple and cheese toasties (wonder if they do them at the restaurant up there?) and London, hmmmm…well…maybe it’s time you headed back here asap. You would LOVE The Kinks in Sunny Afternoon. And thank you, loved sharing London with you Sarah…albeit in photos and sound for the time being…and I love your sunglasses smilie 😀 (I’ve forgotten how to do it!!)
LikeLike
Ah, there’s no place like home … even after my recent travels I still reckon London is the best city on earth. Looks like you had a really good weekend Sherri – and what a time to choose, what with our new Princess and all. Didn’t Kate look fabulous just hours after giving birth? It took me years to get back to some sort of presentability.
Was the Kinks show good? We went to see Let It Be recently and while it was a jolly good tribute band running right through the Beatles musical archive, there wasn’t much story going on. Maybe it’s too well known …
I once sat in a restaurant in Cobham a table away from Ray Davies. He was dining alone, which interested me. I like their music but don’t know much about the history.
The Shard is reportedly overrated – might check out the bar one day but I don’t think I’d pay just for the view. The building across the river has a garden on top, apparently, which sounds much more intriguing. I need to get myself into gear and book a few day trips for the summer. Hope the writing is going well, keep it up Sherri and thanks for the pictures of our wonderful city!
LikeLike
Oh Jenny, thank you, so glad you enjoyed the pics, I know that you and I share a love of London 🙂 And yes, it was a thrill to be there just as Princess Charlotte was born. I know…look at Kate! How does she do it? She looked as if she had just walked out of a restaurant after a pleasant, albeit rather long lunch, not having just given birth mere hours before, yikes 😮
The Kinks show is fantastic Jenny, and really does tell the story of how they started, their problems in America, Ray Davies’ breakdown, their ‘Labour’ roots as four lads growing up in Muswell and how Ray Davies wanted their music to convey those roots. It’s a story I didn’t know anything about, so not only was there some great music (and the actors look so much like the original Kinks, it’s uncanny) the story was fab too 🙂 You should go, I highly recommend it. I wondered about Let It Be, so thanks for the head’s up about that, by the sounds of it I much prefer Sunny Afternoon. And that is interesting about Ray Davies…your claim to fame Jenny, much like my Clint Eastwood experience 😉 Now I do like the sound of that building with the rooftop garden…and as with you, definitely need to get back up to London again soon now that the bug has bitten again. Might see you up there one of these days…we could to the bar at The Shard and get a glass of bubbly 😉 Thanks for asking, writing on the back burner these past couple of weeks but plan on getting back on track from next week onwards. Way off my Easter deadline, so going for the summer now to get the first draft finished. I’m determined, if nothing else! Hope things are going well for you too at this busy time of year with exams looming, but maybe you’ll get some quiet moments to make those London plans 😉 xx
LikeLike
How fun, Sherri! A good time has been had by all of us in London, thanks to you! I haven’t heard of that show–and I am fairly up on musicals since my daughter is a musical theatre performer. I will ask her if she’s heard of this one! Her favorites are the pop/rock musicals! Wait, did you like it or not? Have I ever told you my sad story about the Globe? Family travelled to London one time: 1999, I believe. We hauled our tushes over to the theatre only to discover it was closed! and we would be leaving before it was open again. Ugh, so disappointing for my 10 year old daughter and especially for me.
that price to go up the Shard is unbelievable!
LikeLike
Oh wow! I would love to know what your daughter says! Yes Luanne, the show is fabulous, I absolutely loved it and I don’t usually ‘do’ musicals! Sunny Afternoon tells the story of The Kinks, four lads from London who formed the band in the swinging 60s, ha, and all that happened to them, their problems, their failures and successes and of course they play so many of the great songs. The actors look just like the real-life muscians as they looked back in the day, it’s uncanny. It felt like being at a Kinks concert. It’s had rave reviews so well worth a look 🙂 Oh no, I’m so sorry that happened to you and your daughter at The Globe…what a shame. I hope that you will get to go again one day. And yes, that’s why we didn’t go up the Shard…but that’s London prices for you 😉 Loved sharing this little piece of London with you Luanne, thanks so much for walking with me! xo
LikeLike
What a fun week to be in London! Must be exciting. Your pictures are super cool. I have only seen London via a take off from a spectacular window seat and a pilot who loved the view so much he pointed everything out. Am definitely coming to visit someday soon. Maybe we can have tea!
LikeLike
Thank you Renee, so glad you enjoyed the pics! London is fantastic to see from the air, so I’m glad you’ve done that! When we used to come into land on my ‘home’ visits from California, I told the kids that we were like Peter Pan flying over the River Thames and Tower Bridge, just like in the Disney film 😉 I really hope you get to visit oneday Renee…and when you do, yes, definitley, I know somewhere rather special for tea. Hmmm…The Ritz? Or Browns? Take your pick 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Ritz had a certain appeal to it , doesn’t it ? Imagine what a blog post we’d get from that visit!
LikeLike
Now that would be some blog post for sure 😀
LikeLike
Hey I enjoyed this tour with you and the memories of the Kinks… I loved that group…
LikeLike
Thanks so much Bulldog, loved sharing the tour and the memories with you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s easy to walk a lot of miles in London for sure. The weekend before I was there for the marathon and managed to walk fourteen miles while Commando ran his twenty six point two. The shard and Tower Bridge were my landmarks.
LikeLike
Wow! Well, you know all about walking long distances Marie! You put my 17,000 steps to shame!! I look forward to reading all about Commando’s marathon and how he got on…will be over asap 🙂
LikeLike
Driving in London?! Not for the faint hearted indeed. I find even being a pedestrian in London stressful enough. I’m such a country bumpkin 😉
I’ve somehow managed to go to London numerous times in my life, for whatever reason. I’m wondering how this has happened. I was in London when the Shard was being built! I went right by it, and remember looking at it in a mixture of horror and distaste, commenting on how hideous it looked. I hate the Shard. What an eyesore monstrosity it is. St. Paul’s Cathedral, on the other hand: beautiful!!
Glad you had a good time there. A well earned break! 🙂
LikeLike
We visited London a few years ago and the area all around The Shard was a building site then too, so I know what you mean. I can’t get over how tall it is, towering over all our historical buildings. We share the same taste in historic architecture Jenny Jen Jen! Lovely to share this little piece of London with, thank you, and yes, a lovely break indeed 🙂
LikeLike
So good to hear that you had a wonderful time in London, Sherri. What marvelous photos you took. It’s spring over there and it looks a bit dreary, but I’m sure that is just typical London weather. The Shard is certainly one magnificent piece of modern architecture alongside the more older, charming buildings. The Kinks show looks good. I have never heard of it, it must be popular with another generation than mine…or I might be living under a rock all this while. Thank you for bringing your London trip to us. Great seeing the sights with you. Always a pleasure stopping by your Summer House 🙂
LikeLike
We have just had a long spell of glorious, sunny and warm summer-like days but by the time we visited London, rain and wind had returned. In fact, my poor garden has been battered the last couple of days in gale force winds 😦 Still, the rain held off for our visit and the sun shone for part of the day…Sunny Afternoon 🙂 Always a pleasure to share the goings-on of the Summerhouse with you Mabel, thank you for coming along and I’m so glad you enjoyed this mini tour of London. Yes, The Kinks would be way before your time, back from the swinging 60s (and you are definitely not living under a rock!!) 😉 Great music though…but then I would say that 😀 Love your visits, as always…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, so sorry about your battered garden. The flowers must have put up a brave fight to stand and gallantly lost out…laid out on the path showing the last of their beauty for you to see 🙂 Happy Spring. I am sure much warmer days are ahead for you. Warm days fitting for a very bright and welcoming Summer House. Have a good weekend ahead, Sherri 🙂
LikeLike
Ahh…you are so lovely dear Mabel, everything seems to have recovered thank you ❤ The flowers were brave indeed 😉 I've been away since May 7th, returning late last night (it's all or nothing around here, ha!) so just getting back to blogging once again and I apologise for the late reply. I hope you had a wonderful weekend too 🙂
LikeLike
What a fortuitous weekend jaunt you had. My feet would have been screaming at me but looks like you had such a wonderful time. The open markets are always my cup of tea. Thanks for taking us along.
LikeLike
Fortuitous indeed Marlene! It was lovely to be in London for such an historic occasion. I made sure to wear comfortable, albeit ‘sensible’ footwear otherwise my feet would have done the same. We had a lovely weekend, thank you, and yes, you would love the open markets there. Although on Saturday, it was packed out, hence only the few photos! A pleasure to share this little part of London with you, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So wonderful… Now , maybe most appropriate , catch Ray Davies “Story Teller” on You Tube.
One of the very finest Kinks. Thanks .
LikeLike
Will do, many thanks!! 🙂
LikeLike
I loved your photos of London. I’ve enjoyed all my trips to London and I’m sure I’ll make many more. I also remember where I was when Diana died. I was living in the UK at the time and moving house. It helped me recently when I had to provide information to inland revenue about where I lived in the UK previously and on what dates.
LikeLike
Ah…one of those ‘I’ll never forget where I was when…’ moments. I remember sitting in an American diner in LA when news came in of John’s Lennon’s shooting and also of my mother crying when she was ironing and watching our tiny B&W television when JFK was assassinated, although I was only about 4 when that happened. Those times in history we never forget…
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, thank you Rachel and I hope you enjoy your future visits to London as much as your others. I love London 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for taking me on an armchair tour of London and its wonderful architecture, Sherri. (I’m not into crowds).
That’s a double coincidence that you’ve mentioned The Kinks in your post this week. Firstly, I’ve just got back to editing my novel set in 1967 and one of my main characters is a mod, and of course The Kinks were a mod band. Secondly, Sylvia (I think you might follow her, too, but can’t remember) posted this https://anotherday2paradise.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/bench-series-18-lazing-on-a-sunny-afternoon/#comment-35809 and I mentioned to her that I’d seen The Kinks in concert when I was a teenager.
LikeLike
You had the perfect view Sarah and I thank you for sharing it with me!! I don’t like crowds either and the worst moment was being stuck in a huge crowd in the Underground and nobody was moving. I could feel the panic rising but thankfully, we were able to quickly get on the escalator and after that everyone dispersed into different directions. Phew! And that is some coincidence with your novel and also that yes, Sylvia and I have been following each other for some time and we both realised that we had posted the very same Kinks song! The Kinks are doing the rounds…and how amazing that you got to see them for real. I loved the show, it was so good I would love to go again and I don’t say that about a lot of musicals 😉
LikeLike
Your title caught my eye and my heart. London Calling was one of my very favorite songs when it came out. And London the first foreign city where I ever set foot. Like you I was living in the States and was in our little Maine cabin when the news fell about Diana. I didn’t know that the baby girl was named after her. It’s a good choice.
London is a wonderful place to spend a long weekend. After my first time there I went many times and loved to bring back clothes, records and lots of stuff I found funkier that the more elegant but cold French style. My kids loved London as much as I did the first time they went. Thank you for this trip on memory lane, across one of the most fascinating cities in Europe and the world.
LikeLike
I love that song too Evelyne! How lovely to know that London was your first foreign city to visit and that your kids loved it as much as their mom 🙂 I do agree that it is a fascinating city, warts and all,and it is a pleasure to share it with you, thank you for walking with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sherri, you are so wonderful! It’s been a VERY long time since I was in London (I was a college student from Kansas, an English major taking a seminar and then doing some traveling), but your post took me along on an excellent “walk” down memory lane as well as brand new territory, and I did not have to walk 17,000 steps!
I have a pedometer that measures steps as well as miles, and my best total for a day is 11,200 steps, so I am in awe of your energy…and your ability to be such a terrific tour guide!
LikeLike
Oh Marylin, you always make me smile with your lovely comments 🙂 It’s so great to be able to share this walk down memory lane with you, I just love that you were once in London! As for all those steps, I have no idea where I found the energy that day (and night) but I wish I could find it every day 🙂 I am lucky to manage 7,000 most days. Thank you for walking with me, I enjoyed every minute of it.
LikeLike
What a wonderful walk you took me on through London Sherri. I so enjoyed it. Some of the places I had seen on my own visits and these took me down memory lane, but others are new to me and I loved seeing them. I really loved the angle you took the Shard. It really makes you feel as though you were on your way to heaven and then I saw the ladder on either side of the building and went off into dream world as to how I could manage to climb it with my fear of heights.
It’s funny how Princess Di had that effect on almost all of us. I was doing an evening shift in intensive care at the Mater Hospital and one of the girls brought in a portable TV so we wouldn’t miss the dress and the spectacle. Sixteen years later I was sitting in my office at the Farm writing my first memoir when news of the accident came and then we were glued to the TV praying. And I wouldn’t have said I was a groupie but I sure did care. I’m glad the little Charlotte has her name as well and hope that she has a happier life than I fear her grandma did.
The Kinks would have been great fun to see. I think I probably still know all their songs and would be humming along for weeks post event. Roger was a Mod and so the kinks were part of his culture. I would have loved to have known him at that time as somehow I can’t imagine him being part of any culture and adhering to a fashion policy is so far from the man I know.
Anyway welcome back and hope life allows you to resume your writing, blogging and those wonderful walks. ❤ 🙂
LikeLike
Oh the thought of climbing that ladder sends shivers down my spine as I hate heights like you do Irene. I can’t bear the thought of thinking about those window cleaners, yikes 😮 I’m glad you enjoyed looking at the photos of The Shard though. It is a most extraordinary building.
Oh yes, so many of us share those ‘I remember when…’ memories of Princess Diana. We can but hope and pray that Princess Charlotte life’s is much happier…
I love the image of Roger as a Mod in his younger years. I hope you have some photos from those years! I know what you mean though, hubby used to listen to The Clash, ride a motorbike and had hair! Long before I knew him of course…
I’m so glad you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, I loved walking with you and although I had to disappear again (Jersey trip, about which I hope to blog soon!), I am now back, albeit slowly. It’s been such slow progress for my writing and blogging these past weeks for one reason or another and I really, really hope to get back on track…feel a bit like I’m wading through mud at the moment…and thank you for your lovely welcome back…that helps so much 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to learning about Jersey through your eyes. It is a place I know nothing about other than it is a Chanel Island. And it will be special going with your Mum.
Yes you would definitely not want to be a window cleaner. The thought makes me dizzy.
Unfortunately I don’t have any photos of Roger in those days. I don’t know whether his parents had photos as I’ve never seen any. Unlike myself Roger is not keen on photographs. He takes none and has none except one of his mother. We are all so different.
Don’t worry about the mud. It’s good for the skin. Wallow a bit and emerge refreshed, and ready to go. I feel a little as though I’m in quicksand at the moment and losing the battle to stay afloat so I know how you feel. Lets do a bit of work and then take a walk. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that is such a shame. Roger sounds just like my hubby, he rarely took photos and there are so few of him (with hair!) and of his family from his younger years, albought I managed to get a couple of him as a boy from his mother when I did a slideshow for his 50th.
I’ll remember your wise words about the mud, while I wade over to your quicksand so that I can help pull you out, and then we can both put our boots back on and go for that walk in the spring/autumn air and put the world to rights. Don’t go under…I’ll be right there… 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sherri. I can feel myself sliding loose. Looking forward to that walk….. ❤
LikeLike
So glad…and me too 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
An epic day all round. £30 to see the tops of some buildings? I’m with you keeping my feet firmly on the ground, although you should have enjoyed some jellied eels, just so I wouldn’t have to! The Shard didn’t come into my consciousness until the Doctor drove up it, it shows how rubbish I am at knowing stuff.
I know what you mean about that fear of something having happened whenever something is closed and their are sirens, it’s sad we automatically assume that. I’m glad you had a great day and managed to soak up the atmosphere, whilst some of us worked all weekend!
LikeLike
Haha…I love that word Epic! But no jellied eels for me…give me pie and mash and I’ll stay put! I didn’t know about the Shard either until a trip to London a few years ago but then it was a building site and we had no idea what was going on.
Yes, it is a sign of the times isn’t it that we think in that way now. Sad, but there it is. It was horrible with all those crowds though by the escalators and I got seriously claustrophobic for a brief moment until everyone got moving again…
It was a great time but sorry you had to work…that seems most unfair. Hope you had last weekend off. And sorry for the late reply as I’ve been away since the 7th just got back late last night…you’ll hate me now, 2 trips back to back. Went to Jersey with my mum for Liberation Day, lots of vintage vehicles and all that stuff. I’ll blog about it as soon as I get in gear, but I’ve got so behind. All or nothing around here, ha!
LikeLike
I know the feeling, I’ve been off the blog for a bit and am attempting to catch up now, it was so much easier when I had only two followers and less than 20 hits a day, not that I am complaining though. I need to get myself away for a holiday at some point, it’s getting on for two years since I last did anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, back in the day it was much easier. I remember my early posts when I used to be thrilled to get three likes…and two of them were from family lol. And yes, you do need a holiday, most definitely…maybe back to the States?
LikeLike
It is great to see how our blogs have grown from family and offline people supporting to real non biased people, it’s great. It would be great to go back to the States, it would be great to go anywhere though, such is my nosy disposition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, I would say inquiring, not nosy, and that’s what makes travel so wonderful! I just shared my thoughts from my recent trip to Jersey for Liberation Day. I am still buzzing from it. To visit a new place and then learn so much about its history is the best ever. And in this case, extremely humbling. I hope you have a holiday this year Ste, you deserve it. And there is so much to explore right here in these wonderful Isles of ours. One thing I’m desperate to do is to see the Puffins in Pembrokeshire (or Scotland, whichever comes first). Always been obsessed with Puffins, don’t ask me why…
And yes, to have the support of other bloggers is really fantastic. And I mean that of you too…
LikeLike
Wonderful tour, Sherri, which bought back many happy memories of living in London for me. Our final home in London was in Kennington, and Borough Market was only a 15 minute walk away. We spent many a Saturday morning there, especially for breakfast.
Sounds like it was as busy as ever, so I’m guessing the show was a welcome relief away form the crowds and where you could rest your feet for a few hours. I think London is one of the most wonderful cities in the world, and I’m not just saying that because I’m British.
Thank you for showing us around, and congratulate hubby on driving in the centre of the city on a Friday afternoon! He was very brave.
LikeLike
Hi Hugh! At last getting a chance to reply since returning home late Monday night (too late, thanks to Ferry delays, but that’s another story, ha!). You’ll get a big shock won’t you when oneday I tell you: “Guess what Hugh? I’m all caught up!”
Oh I am so glad to bring back some happy memories for you of your old hometown and I totally agree with you about London. It gets in your blood doesn’t it? Both my father and hubby’s father are/were Londoners originally, in fact my dad was born within the sound of the bow bells which makes him a true cockney, although the family moved to Chertsey not long after his birth. Hubby and I love our trips to London and used to go a lot more so it was lovely to get back there. The Kinks’ show was actually my birthday present from my eldest son (we met him, his lovely girlfriend and her parents up there) and yes, it was good to sit down, although by the end of the show we were all up dancing in the isles!
Thank you for coming along for this tour of your old stomping ground, I hope I did it justice, and I will certainly give hubby your message, which I know he will appreciate very much 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, I’m never caught up now, Sherri. Just when I think I am about there, I go back about one hundred steps and start again. However, it’s still fun, and that is what counts.
On recommendation from you, my sister-in-law and her husband went to see the same show and they loved it, so thank you for that. They were in London last weekend during the VE Day celebrations and absolutely had a ball. John and myself are going to London for four days at the end of the month. We are attending a 50th birthday dinner there, so are making the most of it and staying a little longer. We’ve already got a full calendar while we are there, including seeing a show. However, we are off to see “The Audience” which has Kristin Scott Thomas playing the Queen. Looking forward to it very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, must remember the fun in all this, I forget that when I get overwhelmed…
How wonderful to hear that about your sister-in-law and husband going to the show, phew, I’m so glad they did enjoy it, otherwise my name would have been mud 😉
It must have been amazing to have been in London for the VE day celebrations, being in Jersey for their Liberation Day last weekend was incredible. Hubby watched it from home on the TV and said they showed People’s Park in Jersey where the main events were taking place which is where I was with my mum but although he looked out for us, he didn’t see us, although I did see the film crew there!
Your upcoming weekend in London sounds fab, and can’t wait to hear what you think of ‘The Audience’. I love London, can’t wait to go again. I know you’ll have a great time, birthday parties are wonderful, but of course, I’ll be chatting with you before then.
Have a great weekend Hugh, if I don’t get over to you before then. I won’t get my post out now as my middle boy from Brighton coming home for the weekend & have lots to do. I haven’t seen him since Mothering Sunday in March, so really looking forward to it 🙂 xx
LikeLike
Dear Sherri, it’s been like ages since I’ve blogged, and you came to London! Oh my, I wished I knew, I would have sneaked away from home and see you and that lovely hubby of yours! You have a fantastic way of describing things, it’s almost magical. Maybe because I live in London, I kind of take it for granted! Next time you want to visit, please let me know. I still owe you a cup of tea and some biscuits!!
I’ll be taking a break from writing and blog a little. I’ve missed you my friend! My love and warm regards to you and all that is yours!
Much love and blessings. 🙂
LikeLike
Hello Dear Seyi, how wonderful to see you again! I can only apologise for my late reply to your lovely message, but having barely got back from London, I turned around again for another trip and have been away since last Thursday and only returned very late Monday night. I will be blogging about it as soon as I can, I went to Jersey with my mother for the Liberation Day celebrations and I can’t stop thinking about what a truly amazing time it was, so humbling and incredible.
Two trips so close together is not what usually happens around here, trust me! It’s all or nothing, ha! But it was just the way it all worked out (The Kink’s show was my birthday present from last September from my eldest son, whom we met, together with his lovely girlfriend and her parents up there, and the Jersey trip had already been booked ages before!). But yes, oh Seyi, how I would love to meet up with you in London, we were so close! I will hold you to that cup of tea and biscuits 🙂 And how I have missed you too my friend, I will be straight over, how wonderful to have you blogging again, I hope that this means your writing has been going well. I have not done much lately, so it is time for me to stop gallavanting all over the place and get down to some serious work!
I hope you are having a beautiful, blessed week, and much love to you and yours too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read your reply to my comment slowly. Apologies too for not replying or liking your comment for a while. I was ill shortly after visiting your blog. I got the all clear today, all glory to God.
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time both here in London and Jersey! You’re an international woman!!! 🙂 🙂
I would resume blogging today by His grace, and would be visiting your blog regularly now. My writing has been non existing for more than two weeks, but I’ll get to it now. I’ve neglected my health for long and I almost collapsed out of sheer exhaustion. I’ve rested now and would stop by yours soon.
Next time you’re London, I’m certain we’ll meet up and have a great time, in fact, I’ll be saving up for it. My love and warm regards to your hubby and wonderful children.
Much love, always! 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Seyi, I am so, so sorry to learn that you have been ill, I have had you on my mind that is for certain and now I know why. But, what a relief to read that you are now recovered and back to writing and blogging and everything else in life. Thank you so much for letting me know, and yes, how wonderful that day will be when we meet up in London!! I won’t lecture you by telling you to take care of yourself (oh, maybe I’m doing that, ha!) but please do, you are very dear to so many, me included ❤ Your visits to my Summerhouse make my day, and I am so looking forward to catching up with you over at your pad too! Meanwhile, I hope you and your beautiful family have a wonderful bank holiday weekend with plenty of smiles, sunshine and laughter. And don't forget to say hello to London for me! Much love, hugs and blessings to you dear friend… 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Sherri, thanks for your kind words. I’m much better now! We had a lovely bank holiday, we went to Kensington Park, walked down to Marble Arch. It was a great day. I hope yours was great too. Would be stopping by yours soon, posted my first post in six weeks today! 🙂 🙂
Much love my friend! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh I am so happy to hear this dear Seyi! Love Kensington Park and that walk to Marble Arch. And yes, a lovely weekend for us too, thank you, spent pottering in the garden and a lovely walk through the woods 🙂 Much love to you and great news, heading over right now 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
enjoyed this walk with you in London – and fun to hear some old skool Kinks – the poster was neat with the feet made from the letter – and I know you were there at the time of the birth – but now to hear that you were in California for the other events – well it must have just been extra nice to be so close to the buzz and energy – even though as you know – so much of the world felt the excitement too. ❤
enjoyed looking up at the Shard – and what an unusual building = it looks to me like space ships might start emitting out of the top – ha!
xxoo
LikeLike
Ah yes, love that old skool 🙂 Thanks for walking with me Y, always such a pleasure to share ‘the view’ with you ⭐
Oh it was amazing to be in London for the Princess’s birth, and just as we had been saying ‘She must be having the baby any time now’! It’s lovely to share in the excitement the world over, no matter the miles inbetween.
You have a true artist’s eye mon amie, catching that about the poster, I had to go back and take another look as I just sort of noticed but it didn’t register, if you know what I mean! But yes, it is clever how they did that.
And that is cool about the Shard, haha 🙂 Now you have me thinking just the same thing…it does look very futuristic doesn’t it? I still don’t fancy going all the way to the top though. I did notice an ad in a magazine recently for meals with bubbly up by the viewing platform in the restaurant. The views must be spectacular. I would certainly need a lot of bubbly to even consider it though, lol 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeah, I do not always like the challenge of climbing high structures – sometimes – but not always – so I hear you on this – (and for some reason I am thinking of Mahesh’s recent post where he shows us looking down through the glass – yikes – remember that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I do remember Mahesh’s post, very well…yikes is right
LikeLike
Wow! What an amazing day. Sometimes it’s great to hit the old stomping grounds like a tourist. I thought it was wonderful the Prince and Duchess included Diana’s name in their new daughter’s. She’s living on through her granddaughter.
LikeLike
Hi Gwen! Thanks for walking along with me, glad you enjoyed it too 🙂 And yes, Diana lives on so beautifully…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Takes me back to my super swift London weekend in January! 🙂 I stayed very near the Shard and Borough Market. And whenever I’m in London on the embankment I find myself singing Waterloo Sunset, so I’d have been right at home at that show. Did you have a good time with Mum, Sherri (or you may be there now?) Hope all’s well in the world of books. Big hug! Catch up when you can. I’m barely just back.
LikeLike
Hi Jo! Phew…I am sooooo late. Got back very late Monday night (thanks to Ferry delays, but let’s not go there, ha!) and have barely made it back to blogging so getting back here in fits and starts. I will be over to you to see what you got up to and hope you had a super time with your dad in Poland and also the Algarve (I think you went there after if I have that right?) It was wonderful in Jersy, thank you, Mum and I had a super time, especially to be there for the VE celebrations and their Liberation Day. My head is still buzzing with everything we experienced and I do hope to get a blog post out about it soon, but the week is already racing and I have my middle boy home this weekend…not that I’m complaining, but I need more time, aaaaaarrrgggg 😮 😮 😮
Anyway…I remember your London weekend! How fun. Waterloo Sunset is hubby’s favourite too and yes, they sung that at the show, you would love it Jo. Walking along the embankment is one of my favourite things to do, we always tried to cram in a visit to London when I came ‘home’ with the kids when we lived in CA. And guess what I’m singing and will be all day 🙂 Over to you now…
LikeLike
You certainly covered a lot of distance that day Sherri, but then it’s easy for the miles to slip away when you’re exploring and there’s so much to see. I haven’t been to London for a long time now – none of those new buildings, like the shard or the gherkin, were built the last time I went – and I hadn’t even heard of the walkie talkie building! So thanks for the tour and I’m glad you had a great trip.
LikeLike
It was a lot of walking for sure, but you’re right, it didn’t seem like that much at the time! This was the first time I’ve been to London in a while too, and I had to look up the name of the Walkie Talkie building as I wasn’t sure what it was called! Thank you for coming along, I’m so glad you did, always lovely to walk with you Andrea 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you had a grand time Sherri! One day I’ll make it over the pond and catch a glimpse of the “Shard” for myself. Lovely photos as usual. I enjoyed the “trip” 🙂
LikeLike
I hope you make that trip one of these days Lilka, you would love London…and if you ever do, I know a great place where we can have tea, followed by a glass of bubbly 🙂 Meanwhile, it was a pleasure to share this little tour with you, thank you for walking with me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure Sherri! 😊
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Oh Sherri, loved the glorious photos of London & once again traveling with you vicariously! You are not only a superb writer but truly a great teacher. I have learned so much wonderful history from your writings. Me thinks eldest son must get a large part of his love of history from you! 🙂 xoxo
LikeLike
Ahh dearest Diane, you bring me great smiles and a heart filled with joy and encouragement as I read your lovely message, thank you so much, even though I wish I knew so much more 🙂 I loved sharing this mini tour of London with you my dear friend, as we walked together. It’s great to know that eldest son does indeed have a love of history (and knows way more than me!) and maybe I had a little something to do with it…nice to think I did something right, lol 🙂 😉 😀 xoxoxox
LikeLike
Thanks for the tour, Sherri. I have always dreamed of visiting London. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for walking with me Imelda, always a pleasure to share a walk with you, and I hope that oneday you get to fuflill your dream and visit London, you will love it 🙂
LikeLike
You’re a great tour guide, Sherri. I had fun!!! Thanks a million for taking me along on your day in London. ❤
LikeLike
Thank you Tracy, me too! Lovely, as always, to share a walk with you, town or country 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so much enjoyed this walk around London with you, Sherri, seeing the sights. Now that I have actually seen most of them, when I visited last year, sharing the walk is all the more special. How I do admire your stamina. Well done, young lady. Good thing for me it was a virtual tour.
I am impressed by the way you have added your photos, including the lovely slide show. How clever are you?
It made me smile to read that you listened to your Dad’s Kinks’ albums. While I didn’t own any, they were definitely my time! Sunday Afternoon is great of course. Thank you for sharing it. Lola was/is a favourite too. I’m sure it would have been a fun show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it Norah! And yes, I remember your visit last year (oh how I wish I had met up with you all then…) As for stamina, I would love to have that much every day of the week, ha 😀
That is very kind of you, but I can’t take the credit, it’s all done by WP when creating a photo gallery, using the slideshow option. Trust me, it’s easy peasy!
Great memories indeed, and yes, I love Lola too. The played all the favourites, it was just like being at one of their concerts back in the 60s/70s. I would happily go to this show again, that’s how much I enjoyed it!
Thanks so much for walking with me Norah, loved seeing the sights of London with you. And maybe one day, we’ll get to do it in person. You just never know 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sherri. I am disappointed I didn’t know you when I went to the UK last year. It would have been lovely to catch up in person. Perhaps we can look forward to that sometime in the, as yet, unforeseen future! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, me too Norah 😦 I was just that bit too late coming on board to your blog, sadly, and it would have been fantastic to have met you. But how wonderful to think of the future possibilities as you say. Watch this space 😀
LikeLike
One day I will visit London, I’m already looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really hope you do, thank you very much for reading Cecilia, I am so happy you enjoyed this post 🙂
LikeLike
We were in a pub just down the street from the hospital and saw the family drive home. Of course the windows were tinted so technically I just saw the car and William in the driver’s seat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so cool TB!!! Too bad I didn’t know you were there, we could have met up for a pint 😀
LikeLike
Sherri thanks for sharing your London with us. It brought back many happy memories for me, after living there for over two years. The Shard was not there when I lived there and I agree it just does not fit the scene. I guess cities evolve, but I hope London has not changed that much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, thanks Kath, so glad to bring back happy memories for you. And don’t worry, London is still the same in its essence…but I do hope they stop at The Shard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope I make it to England one day. Beautiful shots!
LikeLike
Oh I do too Nadine! Thank you so much, really glad you enjoyed them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope one day my family and I can go back to London. It was one magical trip a few Summers ago. History, architectural brilliance and culture just bursting excitingly in every turn. Saw the picture of the baby princess in the magazines, so adorable. Wonderful post Sherri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember your post about London and how thrilled I was to read of your excitement and enthusiasm for a city I love in my homeland 🙂 I truly hope you and your family get to go again too, and when you do, let me know and we’ll all meet up for that coffee! Thanks so much my friend, have a blessed, beautiful day 🙂
LikeLike