Saturday 8 November 2014

Trip to London

The birthday celebrations in London went well. We both had a very enjoyable time, first watching Warhorse and then going to the Tower to see the WW1 poppies and the various exhibits inside.

Warhorse was everything people had said it was. We had already seen the film so were prepared for the story-line but were blown away by the fantastic production set on a simple stage. Talk about suspending disbelief! It was, at times, easy to believe the horses were real. As in the film, I found the cavalry charge the most moving but you need to see it for yourself to fully take it in.



We arrived at the Tower early next morning to try and avoid too many crowds and we were glad we did. By opening time at 9.00am people were already gathering around the public paths and others were waiting to go in. The poppies were quite a spectacle, almost touching the walls either side of the dry moat. 


Inside, the Tower presented a few surprises, showing various exhibits we had not seen last time we visited a few years ago.

The WW1 exhibit was new and included some old photos with troops training in the grounds of the tower with a modern soldier superimposed. Very moving stuff.

I liked the photo below showing troops being trained how to shoot. I'm sure the instructor should have been behind the troops but then I'm no expert.


Perhaps the group in the background are just getting rid of the previous instructor.

By 11.00am the crowds were building in  numbers including coachloads of children (bless 'em) and space began to get a bit short both inside and out. Our previous walk around the site became a shuffle at best and in some places a stand-still. Never mind, at least we had seen it.

We  went back to Liverpool Street station via a tasty street-meal in Brick Lane and fell asleep on the return train journey.

By the way, while we know the Tower is a fantastic place to visit, the skyline of the city is just as fantastic in the it's own right.


I wouldn't want to work there but we are so lucky to have all these places on our doorstep.

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