This morning, we performed our usual shopping run to Sainsbury’s and found that today was to be sunny but cold (the temperature barely rising above freezing).
Aboard the 214
After lunch we caught a number 214 bus.
Camden High Street
The 214 carried us to Camden Town where we left it.
TheWorks
First, we went into TheWorks where Tigger was hoping to make a purchase but was unsuccessful.
Ryman
So then we went to Ryman and this time Tigger was successful.
Aboard the 88
Next we boarded a number 88 bus. So far, our outing was going swimmingly but we had forgotten that today is the lunisolar new year. (We used to refer to this as the Chinese New Year but it appears that we are now supposed to call it by a non-racial name. I leave it to you to work out the reasons.)
Great Smith Street
Streets around China Town were closed, causing traffic to be diverted. As a result our bus crawled along Regent’s Street at far less than walking pace. After a long, long, slow journey, we left the bus in the backstreets of Westminster. This one is called Great Smith Street.
Caffè Nero
Spirit restorative
Photo by Tigger
Nearly all shops and cafes were closed but we found a Caffè Nero open and went in to restore our spirits.
The Marquis of Granby
We passed the (closed) pub called the Marquis of Granby.
St John, Smith Square
We reached Smith Square, site of the Church of St John. Its church days behind it, St John’s now serves as a concert hall for the BBC though today…
Getting ready for a banquet?
…they seemed to be preparing it for a banquet.
Victoria Tower Gardens
We were approaching the Thames and a certain famous institution. Here there is a small park called Victoria Tower Gardens from where you have a view of the institution in question.
Buxton Memorial Fountain
In the gardens are a number of memorial objects, among which is this, the Buxton Memorial Fountain to the emancipation of slaves.
The Burgers of Calais
Auguste Rodin
There is also the impressive group of statuary, the Burguers of Calais by Auguste Rodin.
Emmeline Pankhurst
A G Walker
Not least is the memorial by A G Walker to Emmeline Pankhurst
The Victoria Tower
This is the Victoria Tower from which the gardens derive their name. The above mentioned “institution” to which it belongs is of course the Houses of Parliament.
The Thames
We went to have a look at the river Thames. The bridge is Lambeth Bridge.
Big Ben
Photo by Tigger
Tigger took this photo of Big Ben peeping over the Houses of Parliament.
Westminster Abbey
I took a photo in the failing light of Westminster Abbey with the statue of George V by William Reid Dick.
Aboard the 24
We started our journey home by catching a 24 bus. Happily, the return journey along Regent’s Street was not as slow as our previous passage along it.
Changing buses
The bus dumped us at Warren Street Station and we walked to the bus stop at the top of Euston Road for our next bus.
Aboard the 205
We caught a 205 which was crowded so we had to sit at the back. I took this photo through the rear window between the heads of other passengers.
It had been cold out and so I was glad to reach home and make a nice hot cup of tea !
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