Last Day in London
With a sad heart, I realized that today was my final day in London. I set out early to explore the area around St. Paul’s, visit the Royal Gardens, and explore the Houses of Parliament.
Kensington sparkled in the early morning. I walked from Lancaster Gate to the Albert Memorial and then circled back past Princess Diana’s children’s playground and the Elfin Oak, an iconic tree with tiny figures of fairies, elves, and animals.
Kensington Gardens
Palace of Westminster (Parliament)
The pomp and greatness of Britain reveals itself in the Houses of Parliament. After a rigorous security screening (the guard even examined the crumpets I had reserved for tea time!), I began my tour. The building itself is under construction inside and out. Conservators are cleaning massive paintings in the House of Lords, the Elizabeth Tower (home to Big Ben) and the exterior of the Parliament buildings are clothed in scaffolding. The audio tour stresses the 900-year history of the site and the famous figures who have walked these passages, past and present.
Charles I puts in a major appearance because he feuded with Parliament, fought Oliver Cromwell, was accused of treason for insisting on the right of kings, and was executed in 1641. Cromwell took over the government after the execution of Charles I in 1649. When relations improved, the monarchy returned under Charles II in 1660.
Crossing the Thames
The day ended with a final crossing of the Thames on the pedestrian bridge and my lingering look at the cityscape. I made my way back to Euston Station via the District and Northern Lines, and began to pack for home.
I will miss this city and its people, the multiple languages in the air, and the rich history that surrounds everything British. I will miss having a pocketful of pound coins and using my Oyster card to ride the Underground trains.
9:57 pm
The pound coins were surprisingly, the city expectedly enchanting. I continue to be so delighted for you. Thanks for drawing the connection between empire and Indian education in your previous post.
9:57 pm
Surprisingly heavy, that is!
11:22 pm
Surprisingly heavy they were, especially when I needed to do laundry at £ 2.30d.
11:18 pm
Matt: My romantic fantasies include a world of sovereign coins, a guinea or two, and one-pound notes. Throw in three penny bit (thrupppence), four penny bit (groat), and sixpence adds color and flair—plus some confusion—to the monetary system. Having a pocket crammed with one-pound COINS startled me. Holmes and Watson would have called them “sovereigns.” Even more confusing were the ten pence, five pence, and two pence coins, with a couple of pennies thrown in. I saw no farthings or guineas, the Royal Mint having removed them in 1971 with the decimalization of the currency. Still, for me, the romance of Britain is in its coins and stories associated with them: “Blimey, gov’nor, a whole sovereign for watchin’ a house?” (Doyle could have written such a sentence, given the richness of his prose and the British monetary system). Or, “It’ll be two pound, one and four” (Translation: two pounds, one shilling, and four pence, or or £ 2.1s.4d). Something to do with inflation?