A day in London

Marion treated us to a trip to London.  Thank you Marion.  It was a great day.

Here is our route.
The Monument- I love the way enormous Wren gems have become little jewels packed in to the crevices of concrete London.  The city is still full of cranes, giving me hope that some of the monstrous structures will be 'plucked out' over time.  The constant rebirth of London will continue, as with any jungle.

Poking through the concrete jungle

A walk across London bridge.  We see the 1940's fire ship spraying a peaceful fountain- remembering the blitz.  British memories of pain are that of a mother, rewarded with new birth.  German memories of the blitz are that of a dead child.

Southwark Cathedral- The Golden Hind (we know a few)- The Globe-

A view we did not see.

Tate Modern and the famous walk over the Bridge; Marion's first she says.  The College of Arms, St Pauls.  The Temple Bar.  Fleet Street.  Prince Harry's Rooms,

One of the few houses to survive the great fire.
Frequented by Samuel Peppys

The knocking down of King's College.  The locked gate baring our way to the Roman Baths.

What we might have seen- Is it Roman though?

Cleopatra's Needle, and its interesting story.  How it was thrown into the bay of Biscay, and retrieved, and how it was a generous gift to Queen Victoria from by Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt. 

But the story's more complex and intriguing. http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/cleopatras_needle.html
1801- discovered by the French, half buried and consequently well preserved.  Nelson attempted to ship it to Britain.
1820- said to be given by Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt to George IV.  Cost of transporting it to UK felt to be prohibitive.
1851- Great exhibition aroused popular interest in the stone.  Much discussion in the press about how to raise the money.
1877- Erasmus Wilson, a wealthy doctor, put up the money.
1877- 14th October, a storm hit the tug and barge carrying the Needle.  Six sailors drowned.  The Needle was thought lost.  A few days latter, the barge was found and taken to port in Spain called Ferroll.  After protracted legal nicitest, it was brought to London on 12 September 1978.
The base also contains a time capsule, a memorial to the sailors who died, and a plaque to Erasmus Wilson.
But can anything 'given' by a subjugated ruler to a regional super power ever be considered a gift?

Trafalgar Square- National Portrait Gallery-

Francis Bacon- It's the eyes

Lowery- again the eyes

Not the eyes- its All Saints Faringdon.

St Martins in the Fields Crypt, and tail end of the Messiah rehearsal.
Banqueting Hall.

Built by James I of England-
 scene of the beheading of Charles I

Westminster Abbey
Winter Wonderland- main even was experiencing the crush of people, which in itself was amazing.
Joanna, Emma and Sarah went for a spin.

They were up there!

2016- My Half Century Challenge

I remember the surprise amongst some rather malicious boys at school when I managed to avoid being hit by a flying cricket ball, and some faint respect when the same ball traveled in a vaguely controlled trajectory away from me.

I guess I've never had much expectation about staying 'in' for long, and so it's a nice surprise.

So how about....

Jumping out an aeroplane- Anyone interested?

I'm thinking about the very basic Tandem Skydive.  ah... see below.  I think that I am about 99kg.

Must start by loosing some weight. (From www.skydivelangar.co.uk)

You will NOT be accepted for:	If you weigh more than:
a Tandem Skydive	15 stones (95Kg)
the Basic Skydiving Course	16 stones (102Kg)
the Accelerated Freefall Course	16 stones (102Kg)
Your weight will be checked on the day of your course. If in doubt, please telephone us on 01949 860878 to discuss your needs before booking your course.

An idea to loose enough weight...

Walking 100 miles around Leicestershire.

Having cycled the route many times, I would like to walk it in 5 days

Day One.   Saddington to Launde Abbey (20 miles). - Stay at Launde Abbey.

Saddington is on a hill

Gumley during cricket season

Foxton 10-lock staircase

Cranoe church

Start -Saddington am

to Launde Abbey pm

Day Two   Launde Abbey to Mountsorrel (20 miles).  Pick up or bus

Gaddesby Church

Launde Abbey to Mountsorrel

Day Three Mountsorrel to Market Bosworth (20 miles). - Stay at Hotel/ B&B

Mountsorrel butter cross

Mountsorrel to Market Bosworth

The footpath goes by the reservoir- meters away from a deep hole.

Day Four   Market Bosworth to Claybrooke Magna (20 miles). Camp?

Tricky bit here

Route through a battle field

Market Harborough to Claybrooke Magna

Day Five   Claybrooke Magna to Saddington (20 miles).

It looked better before it was struck by
lightening in 1791

Considered the middle of England, High Cross is at the
crossing of Fosse way and Watling Street

Claybrooke Magna to Saddington

Picnic celebration.  I have spotted a church hall, all on it's own, in Oaks in Charnwood.  I think it would make the perfect place for a picnic- given we may need some cover.

Mount St Bernard Walk

Or what about my favourite walk?  http://parentsguidetopets.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/best-walk-in-leicestershire.html

That's it so far.

Of yes- and overseas traveling...
Najac to see Richard and Sally- possibly also le Tour de France, but not if Margaret can come as it's in term time.

Also Aachen- to visit the Cathedral.

Sound ok?

Separation

Recently my daughter left on a gap-year abroad,

She’s now far away, but she’s never ignored.

In the past, families split, new lives to create,

Living, apart, with no way to communicate.

My father’s also gone, his presence no longer I feel,

Seven years now separated, but I still know he’s real.

The Creator’s not seen, some say also not heard,

But for me God’s alive, and this is absurd.