Day Y -- UK Potpourri

Here are some of my other favorite shots of our week touring London and other parts of England.

This is such a telling shot of London today. Old, being renewed; new, being integrated in amongst the old; employment for construction workers everywhere.

Thames water skier, seen from the tram high above the river.
His cable attachment is just visible over his head.

Westminster Tube station. Its industrial-style bracing is meant to hold steady, against the rush and rattle of trains, the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Palace just overhead.

Riding inside one of the glass cars of the London Eye, looking down at the next car and the river Thames.

Tourists riding in our car on the London Eye. Imagine my surprise, when I found myself in line behind that young lady with the blonde ponytail -- Until she turned around, she could have been my granddaughter Kaleigh.

And this fellow, also in our car, reminded me of
Roy's son, Robert.

The London Eye provides major advertising for its current sponsor -- read the signage. Below, the new rendition of Hungerford Bridge.

This is the new concourse of St. Pancras.  Trains, anyone?

 OK, OK, another potty shot. This, in St. Pancras.
Complete privacy assured.

Another view within the original St. Pancras.

Ever since "Mary Poppins," I've loved sunset over a city.
St. Pancras.

Dueling cameras on the Bluebell Railway.

Sheep, sheep, sheep. I did not expect to see so many in
today's UK. Long may wool reign!

A typical stop on the Bluebell Railway.

Nor did I expect to see large cornfields.

This Bluebell Railway contraption had to do with . . .?

Back in town and needing supper, we decided upon this Cornish pastie shop near Victoria Station -- excellent choice!

Typical elaborate entrances in some sections of London.
"My Fair Lady"?

One of the monuments to good Queen Eleanor.

Before leaving home, we had thought to take a London tour bus --- but now thought better of it.

Riding along in a regular city bus, feelin' groovy, then suddenly there appears a reminder of just how close London still is to the horrors of the blitz.

Did I mention that Trafalgar Square is nearly obscured by renovations activities and equipment? That man with his arms folded meant business.
No tourists allowed.

Monument on the front porch of St. Martin's in the Fields.

South Kensington detail. We were surrounded by Victoria and Albert institutions.

Another of my pet projects -- recording trash containers.
This was in the City of London Cemetery.

Semper paratus. What to do if, and exactly how to do it.

The church in the middle ground has been left as a war memorial. Spire still standing, but nave bombed out.

"Shoe menders" in an underground station. Things are just different enough to remind me - I'm a guest in a foreign land.

Walking back to our "hotel" one evening, it normally would have been difficult to pass by this inviting entrance to a museum special event. But our weary feet just wouldn't break stride.

 Exhibition Road, South Kensington. Subway ventilation turned into art, and a place to sit and enjoy the passing scene.

After all those photos of St. Pancras, it's only fair to add a picture of King's Cross, just across the plaza.

Roy in one of his old neighborhoods -- The Angel. We are just about to experience one of the highlights of the trip.

But first, some heartfelt street art in mosaic.

And its companion piece, still in The Angel.

Part three explains it all. A parent trying to guard her family from sensory overload and other city dangers.

Drum roll. We have just turned into Duncan Terrace. First, we notice the sudden reduction in city noise. The area has been somewhat gentrified, which gives rise to ambivalent feelings.

And here is Roy at his own front door --- to the home where he family lived when he was born.

It had been formerly occupied by an illustrious member of the Suess family.

I'm not quite sure what is the purpose of repurposing this tree in Duncan Terrace Gardens.

Another litter can -- this one earmarked forever to Duncan Terrace.

Fishermen getting ready for an afternoon's quiet pleasure, deep in the heart of busy London. This is Regent's Canal, just across from Roy's former home, and down the stairs.

And this is where Regent's Canal goes underground. At one time, the only way the barges could get through was for the bargemen to recline against the side or top of the barge and work it through with their feet, pushing against the brick walls.

On the other side of the terrace, there are now modern apartment buildings. I was amused by this woman's sense of pretty porch decor.

All the foregoing pictures have been of my taking, but the final two will be Roy's. One evening we had supper in another of his former home neighborhoods -- Newington Green. And we had fish and chips at this, the same shop where his mother would sometimes send him to bring home supper for the Barnacle family of 18 Wolsey Lane.

And this is my farewell to you. Thanks for accompanying me on my revisit to a wonderful vacation with Roy.

Day X -- Scotland Potpourri

Here are some scenes that did not make the blog posts, but do tell their own story.

In case you've ever wondered what Iceland looks like, or if you have only seen shots of magnificent glaciers, etc. Here's a plain-Jane shot of the tundra surrounding the airport, taken, of course, from our plane. Stark, but has its own loveliness.

A sweet family scene, at The Helix, the park that contains The Kelpies (from my Day 1) and the famed Falkirk Wheel (which we did not visit, but I had seen on an earlier visit). The examples of excellent engineering and craftsmanship so common throughout Scotland were what made the awkwardness of the airport so glaring to me.

So speaking of The Kelpies, I had to insert another shot of those magnificent sculpted horses.

Construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction all over the island -- this in Balmaha, on the shore of Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond ducks going about their business,
despite the tourists.

So I'm smitten with rowboats, especially rowboats for hire.
Loch Lomond marina.

This is what I meant by an inaccessible waterfront. One follows signs down twisting paths and drives, only to find the Keep Out Unless You Pay sign. 
Loch Lomond.

 

O-l-d tree, old sheds, old tractor, new sports car. Balmaha, Loch Lomond.
Found on my quest to find the waterfront.

Flowers at a tea room and inn, Balmaha, Loch Lomond.

 

Another view of the amazing Central Train Station in Glasgow, right in the heart of old Glasgow.