Visiting the Queen

Today we bid London good-bye.  As I sit at the breakfast table  I feel a tinge of sadness to leave this town, which I had not loved much in previous visits and to which I have warmed up considerably in this one.

 We have hardly done any touristy things but thought it necessary to at least visit Buckingham Palace before we leave.   Our aim is to get there for the Changing of the Guard. We take the bus. Another sunny, beautiful day. We take a pathway in the Mall (not the shopping kind) towards it.   The Victoria Memorial in front of the Palace is swarming with tourists.    We’ll come back to it.  Let’s see the Changing of the Guard…   or not.  Today, there is no Changing of the Guard ceremony, but that doesn’t stop them from marching.      

Back to The Victoria Memorial  dedicated to Queen Victoria, of course. 

The monument has a nautical theme with mermaids included and did you know there were mermen?

I think the statues on the sides  were donated by New Zealand.  From here I see the London Eye (does it see me?)   After I catch some rays,  we say farewell to Buckingham Palace  and since we are in the tourist mode, head out to Westminster Abbey where Big Ben and the London Eye get closer.   First a visit to the inner courtyard.        But since we are running out of time (we have a train to catch) we must content ourselves with an outside view of the Abbey itself.   I realize, as well, that I have not photographed one iconic London phone booth, so I do so  before going into the very industrial-feel of the Westminster tube (aka: metro, subway). 

We return to the back alley of The Royal Albert Hall  and take a last walk through the side street of the hotel,  have a last cuppa (cup of tea) in the Green Room  and go to the train station where we are taking the Eurostar  to Paris!

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Clapton is Phenomenal the Second Time Around!

I look out the window and see the sun shining brightly.  We have a corner room so I go to the other side just to make sure and, indeed, the sun shines brightly.  

No time is spared to go out to enjoy the sun.  First the belly must be fed and in honor of the fact that we are to be tomorrow in lovely Paris we duck in an alley where there is a Parisian bistro, Cotê, to feed ourselves.  Love the little Coke bottle. My plate was so good and the baguette gives me a taste of what Paris will offer.  

At the end of the alley on the main street is a TK Maxx – the equivalent of TJ Maxx in Los Angeles – and a Zara.  Two places I will hit since the psychiatrist I am portraying in Paris needs an outfit.  So, I, who rarely shop when in a foreign country, am doing so here.  The sizing is completely different but I manage to figure it out.  Done. Now off to Kensington where Kensington Palace is. 

The Brits are out in full force.  Rare are these incredibly beautiful and mild days.  Today is Sunday and what a gift it is for them to be free on a day like this. Tomorrow is a bank holiday too.   

The Palace is shrouded in scaffolding so I’m concentrating on the gardens.

The pathways are paved with shadows and so inviting.  

The animals also attract my attention this duck is one of a select few chosen to reside in the fenced in pond. 

And these two pigeons seem to be pondering why that would be and stating that they could reside here if they so choose! 🙂 Or maybe they are just chilling.

We have to head back.  Time for the second Eric Clapton concert  is nearing.  And speaking of it, I am approaching it from an angle I had not seen it before.

        Getting closer.   

Majestic!  

And here in all its glory!  

A few more steps, into the hotel, up the stairs to change,  back out – through a back alley-  into the Royal Albert Hall again and inside the RAH!!

On Friday we had a sky view, today we have a choir view.       

  Gary Clark Jr., Eric’s (yeah, we are kinda close by now) opening act impressed me a lot on the first night.    Today, closing night, he is just as amazing.

And then comes Eric Clapton!  “Hello Old Friend”

  

Close enough to capture his song list.  Follow along. 

“Tears In Heaven”    

And “Cocaine”        People are on their feet.    

He leaves.   An empty stage remains.    Until he returns.  

Gary Clark Jr. and Eric Clapton.

     

WOW!!!!!!!!!

What a way for the last night in London to end.  The concert was even better tonight!

Paris tomorrow, only two hours away on the Eurostar.