Nice combination, eh? I'll actually start with the British Museum. I thought it might not be too busy on a Sunday. Big wrong! The plaza was plugged. The museum is still free but you have to book an entry time online.
So, I 'Tubed' it over to the Old Battersea Power Station. I knew it was shut down, but I figured it would have a museum. Nope. Floor to ceiling shops. Here's a view of the old Turbine hall. The original overhead crane was left (hidden a bit by the sign), but that's it. Lots of shops - the first floor is full. I had a coffee & doughnut since I didn't have to spend money on a museum.
View from outside, contrasting the old power station with modern architecture. The power station chimneys are 338 feet tall. One has an elevator to the top for a spectacular & $$$ view.
Walking west by Battersea Park along the Thames, the Grosvenor Railway Bridge is first. It has been widened many times and now has 8 tracks.
Next comes the Chelsea Bridge. First built in 1858 as the Victoria Bridge, it was torn down and rebuilt in 1937.
To break the bridge pix, here is the Chinese Peace Pagoda.
Approaching the Albert Bridge is this sign. Everybody celebrates Sue & my birthdays!
when they march over this bridge." I know why they do this, do you?
The last bridge today - the Albert Bridge, built in 1873. It's had structural problems (with less than successful fixes) over its lifetime. It's a pretty structure, though.
A view of the wharf adjacent the bridge
I walked up the road to a bus stop, hoping to figure out how to get to a Tube station. Look at the bus shelter - it has a video Bus & Tube update screen and USB phone chargers (look on the pole to the right of the screen). Civilized!
A young lady walked up to the shelter and I asked her if I had chosen a good route. While she said my route would work, she suggested I cross the road and take the bus in the opposite direction for a faster route. Did I mention I am having trouble with my sense of direction in London?
I got to the Victoria Tube station and made my way back to Bloomsbury. It was 2:30, so I thought I would check the British Museum. Nope - still plugged. Since I hadn't spent anything on museums, I splurged on another coffee and (loaded) doughnut.
I knew the Charles Dickens museum was just a short detour on my way back to the flat, so I dropped by there. Great move! It turned out to be a very interesting place.
Charles Dickens lived in the house that is now his museum, He lived there with his wife and children from 1837 to 1839, and it is the only surviving London home where he lived. I'll just describe the house - no biography lessons, so visit the Charles Dickens Museum
The kitchen in the basement. The fireplace is extra wide because it is also the
stove & oven. Out the window, you can see that the kitchen is underground
with an outside stairwell up to the street
One side of the Preparation Room beside the Kitchen. Note the water supply
On the same floor is the Morning Room. Note the high ceilings
and that every room had a coal burning fireplace
Up to the first floor. Here is the Drawing Room.
On the same floor, this is where it all happened. Dickens' Study
Up to the 2nd floor to the Dickens' bedroom
Also on this floor are the Dressing Room and Mary Hogarth's Bedroom. I don't have photos of them (a tour was in the way). There is an interactive tour of Dickens' that you can view
Up to the top floor - there are 5 in this house.
The Nursury
Beside the Nursury was the Nanny's Bedroom (no photo). Note that the ceilings on this floor and the basement kitchen are lower than the main entertaining floors. This was the style of the 1800's.
One last tidbit: one of Dickens' clocks and his letter to a clockmaker about it
Dickens' Museum took about an hour and was well worth it.
On my way back to the flat I walked through St. George's Gardens, which used to be a burial ground. It is not very big (about 250 x 100 meters), in 1855 it had to be closed because of 'overcrowding.' It re-opened thirty years later as a public garden
If you are interested in more history, here is a link St. George's Gardens
The photos on the website are also better than mine below. These do show some very old grave markers.
So that's it for my story for today. I did pretty well for wandering out without a plan. Tomorrow's plan is a tour of the Tower of London (already booked & paid for).
Oh yeah, I had Sunday Roast Beef Dinner at the Lord Russell pub.
TTFN
Greg
Visited this in the 60's. Don't remember it being this nice. Have you considered a 🧭 to help u with your travels. Would hate yo have to send out search and rescue to find u. Ben says don't worry as you will see more of England your way
ReplyDeleteHe uses his GPS on his phone.
DeleteAs a former Girl Guide who led a colour party on marches and in parades, I did learn bridge marching safety, but my brother--aged about 8--learned the very hard way on the Capilano suspension bridge, as tourists screamed, he slipped, and men in uniform had to be called to rescue various people. (Still not a funny story, come to think. They only had ropes for a railing, nothing to prevent a fall and die scenario in those good old days.) Would they let you touch Dickens' desk?
ReplyDeleteScary time on the Cap Suspension Bridge - it had ropes the first time I visited it as well. I suppose I could have touched Dickens' desk as nobody was following me around. However, I was being discrete and didn't paw anything in the house.
DeleteGreg