We are out of the flat by 9:45 and Lana has organized today's itinerary based on our London Pass. We walk to Shepherd's Bush station and then navigate to the London Bridge station. Our first destination is Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. I had phoned earlier to confirm they are open for tours and today no tours after 12:30. I have enjoyed Shakespeare since I was old enough to hear his plays spoken. His use of our English language is first class. I took excellent notes during the tour, but later today I "lost" my diary. Not sure where I lost it (?) but it might have been on the Tube heading to dinner tonight. We've decided to call our tube stop "Shepherd's Pie" instead of "Shepherd's Bush" as it just doesn't sound right to us LOL!!!
When we arrived at Shakespeare's Globe we had to wait until 11:00 for the next tour. We found their exhibition tour area and walked around. We noticed some people had audio guides. Our tour leader was a very knowledgeable and competent woman so we were in good hands. It was a 40 minute tour and we started underneath the Globe and were then taken up the stairs to the recreated Globe which burned down after only 14 years. It is pretty close to the original Globe so that was more satisfying. Other groups were teenage school groups and mostly French.
Randy waiting for the Central (Red) train at Shepherd's Bush station. Or what I call Shepherd's Pie station.
The original theatre was built in 1599. It was rebuilt by an American actor named Sam Wannamaker. This project took almost 30 years. Sadly Wannamaker died around 1993 - 5 years before the theatre was finished in 1998. It was built in the same style with the same products as over 400 years ago. Plays only during the day time in Shakespeare's time. Very little if no backdrop scenery used in those days. Up to 3000 people could attend and a high percentage would stand next to the stage. These attendees were called groundlings. Very filthy customers in the ground area with lots of drinking and carousing. Very exciting for me to be here and learn more about Shakespeare times. I wish I had all my notes. Our group eventually returned to under the theatre and we received our free audio guides to explore the museum on the main floor. This museum was very interesting as it covered their clothes, musical instruments, history etc. Regrettably, we needed to head for lunch.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre from the inside.
Another view from the inside of the Globe theatre.
Ceiling over the stage.
Panoramic pic taken from the second level by Lana.
Scale model of the Globe theatre.
We decided to get to a pub located in the vicinity of the train station. My research came up with The George Inn. We walked to the pub and discovered you seat yourself. It is the oldest pub in London. As you can see it has a courtyard and is located off the busy street outside. Our timing wasn't good as apparently a few minutes before we arrived the deep fryer was no longer working. We were told it might not be ready for quite some time.
When we sat down at a table there were no servers. This venerable pub is comprised of a number of separate rooms. You seat yourself and we figured out that you go to the bartender to place your food and booze order by providing your table # (16). I couldn't have waited so ordered their beef burger with bacon. Lana couldn't order what she wanted either, but settled for some food anyway. It took a very long time for us to receive our food. The place wasn't that busy either. Not impressed. When our food arrived it was lukewarm, but we did get fries (chips). The interior of the pub was wooden panels and old wooden tables so pretty authentic. Later we heard from Adrian that the average British pub really doesn't care too much for the food business. They make their money from the drinking habits of the locals.
Randy's lunch at The George pub. Regular burger with bacon and their chips (fries). In addition to Heinz Ketchup I tried mayonnaise on the fries. I had a pint of beer with my burger.
Next walk was to London Bridge Experience located exactly under the London Bridge. Included in the same price is the London Tombs. The tours occur every 30 minutes and we are about 15 minutes early so we hang around the area. The sun comes and goes so mostly overcast today and slightly chillier than yesterday. We weren't too sure what to expect, but in the end we were pretty disappointed. There wasn't much in the way of history, but mostly trying to scare you with lame attempts. Like being at PNE Playland "House of Horrors", but you are not in fear. Usually pretty dark, loud noises, things bumping into you and navigating around corners with your hands in the extreme darkness. Some actors playing historical roles as well. All in all we are glad we did not directly pay for this as it is covered in our London Pass. We won't recommend it. Duration of about 40 minutes. Plus, they take a 'scary' picture and try to see it to you for 7 Pounds! What the heck!
We are now off walking for about 15 minutes to reach the Tower Bridge. Another tourist historical destination covered in our London Pass. Once you get to the bridge you walk towards the northern end and then enter the office. You queue up for the elevator which takes everyone to the walkway between the two pillars. On arrival you watch a short video and then you take you own tour along the walkway. This is where the famous glass floor and the views are pretty good as well. We learn quite a bit about the construction of the bridge from videos and other information provided. This was a really excellent tourist site.
Scale model of the second version of the London Bridge. As you can see wooden homes were built on top of the stone bridge.
Tower Bridge pic taken from ground level as seen in-between modern buildings as we walk towards it.
London City Hall building. Very cool architecture. The building is nicknamed the "Armadillo".
Walkway of the Tower Bridge looking down from the glass floor. It was really cool to stand on the glass floor and look down quite a distance to the bridge floor and the Thames River below. I wasn't scared despite my fear of heights.
Another picture from the glass floor looking down. Lots of fellow tourists are taking selfies of themselves or with their friends/family.
Steel girders of one of the walkways from the Tower Bridge.
Engine room of the Tower Bridge used to draw the bascule (roadway) up. Originally, it was coal powered. Very impressive machinery. Apparently, it only takes 90 seconds to raise the drawbridge. Very impressive!
Large tools in the engine room of the Tower Bridge. Hard to really tell from the photo but these were about 18" in length. The engine room is located in the basement of the Tower Bridge. It is a separate visit after the visit up top. Guess what? Their gift shop is at the end of your self-guided tour!
Lana took this pic in Tower Bridge gift shop. Strawberry, peach and kiwi fruit jam.
It is getting late in the afternoon, but Lana was keen on seeing the HMS Belfast before we got on the Tube. She had never been on a warship before. Her plan was to not spend much time and we didn't. This is now a maritime museum and the ship was a Royal Navy light cruiser operating at sea from WWII to 1963 and saw a lot of battle action. Very cramped quarters. This ship had a huge crew. Very large kitchen, bakery and other amenities. Plus, a surgical room, dental practice and other services for the crew. Dummies represented the crew.
Menu on the HMS Belfast for the seamen while they were at war. Lana liked the chicken on a raft dish and Elephants footprints names.
Walking and Tube back to our flat. We need to be at Foley's for 18:30 to meet Tina, Adrian and Maxwell for dinner. This place was recommended by a workmate of Tina's. Very nice space with a downstairs as well. Warmly greeted and we were the first to arrive. A menu inspired by the Middle East and Asia so this is a unique fusion of flavours and foods. We order a number of dishes and three of us have cocktails and then one glass of wine. Service excellent and personable. Every dish had unique tastes and were delicious. Around 20:00 Maxwell is getting fidgety so we head out into the chilly night. Adrian has the bicycle and Tina is carrying Maxwell and will take the Tube home like us. This night we don't make a wrong turn walking back to our flat. Our 1/2 share of the dinner inclusive of the tip was 70 Pounds.
Amuse bouche of spicy lotus seeds from Foley's. Very yummy. We all loved these tasty little balls of goodness.
I am perturbed by not knowing what happened to my notebook/diary. I lost valuable information from today and a great book for taking notes. Lana watching tv as I update the blog starting from early morning to end of night. Yup, it is getting late and we are both tired! Past 23:00 so time to crash! My Fitbit measured 15.40 kms for today's walking.
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