Steve Smith was booked on the same flight to London and Rebecca and Tig managed to change their booking to also board the same flight. Arrival at Heathrow saw us all go off on our separate ways and as we emerged from baggage and customs a series of text messages ensued between us and our son Steve. Eventually we reunited at Acton Park Station and traelled on to Chiswick to settle in at Steve and Eryn's apartment and for dinner.
Tuesday 11th September
We jumped on the tube for Westminster. On recommmendation of others we went to visit the War Rooms and Churchill Museum. On entering we were told that the tour was approx. 2 hours and provided with audio equipment, thinking we might not need all that time. As it turned out we had been there 2.5 hours and had not noticed the time passing.
Not only is this an experience of seeing and being in the centre of the site of operations of Churchill's Government during WW II - set up exactly as it was then with the map rooms, the 1940's technology, and the offices of high ranking officials with a bed in the corner - but also this incorporates the Churchill Museum. All of this is a relatively new tourist attraction in London and totally absorbing.
When we emerged we had two more visits on the day's agenda still to do. Firstly we visited "Wippells" behind Westminster Abbey to make some enquiries regarding clergy apparel - they are the specialists. Then a couple of quick tube trips and changes we visited Southwark Cathedral. Found here is a monument to William Shakespeare apparently he attended church here). Of course this turns out to be yet another of England's beautiful Cathedrals with a backdrop of statues behind the high altar and an ambulatory with several chapels behind it. Much to our delight the organist was practising.
More tube trips found us at the BBC Media building for Steve to show us his workplace. Amid rows and rows of staff with Apple Macs are little meeting spaces and meeting rooms dotted around te building - often the meeting room is themed for instance one nears Steve is the "Dr Who Meeting Room' and houses some of the original props (including the blue telephone box) from the TV series. Returning back to Chiswick for dinner at the local "Swan" pub was a great finish to the day.
Tuesday 11th September
We jumped on the tube for Westminster. On recommmendation of others we went to visit the War Rooms and Churchill Museum. On entering we were told that the tour was approx. 2 hours and provided with audio equipment, thinking we might not need all that time. As it turned out we had been there 2.5 hours and had not noticed the time passing.
Not only is this an experience of seeing and being in the centre of the site of operations of Churchill's Government during WW II - set up exactly as it was then with the map rooms, the 1940's technology, and the offices of high ranking officials with a bed in the corner - but also this incorporates the Churchill Museum. All of this is a relatively new tourist attraction in London and totally absorbing.
When we emerged we had two more visits on the day's agenda still to do. Firstly we visited "Wippells" behind Westminster Abbey to make some enquiries regarding clergy apparel - they are the specialists. Then a couple of quick tube trips and changes we visited Southwark Cathedral. Found here is a monument to William Shakespeare apparently he attended church here). Of course this turns out to be yet another of England's beautiful Cathedrals with a backdrop of statues behind the high altar and an ambulatory with several chapels behind it. Much to our delight the organist was practising.
More tube trips found us at the BBC Media building for Steve to show us his workplace. Amid rows and rows of staff with Apple Macs are little meeting spaces and meeting rooms dotted around te building - often the meeting room is themed for instance one nears Steve is the "Dr Who Meeting Room' and houses some of the original props (including the blue telephone box) from the TV series. Returning back to Chiswick for dinner at the local "Swan" pub was a great finish to the day.
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