Now and Then ~ March 26, 2014

Made a day of exploring the Tower of London. The Crown Jewels were phenomenally spectacular. Nature’s beauty crafted by man turned the Cullinan Diamond weighing over 3,000 carats into the First Star of Africa set on top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre (estimated to be worth $400 million) and the Second Star of Africa set in the Imperial State Crown.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother 1937 coronation crown featured the legendary Koh-i-Nur (‘Mountain of Light’) 106 carats diamond. Would not Lord of the Rings’ Gollum be uttering, “my precious” had he been where I stood?

The photo shows the Shard, an 87-story skyscraper, in the background and the Tower of London in the foreground. Will our generation’s architecture genus hold up to the test of time as well as the 930 years old Tower of London has?
http://www.royalcentral.co.uk/blogs/25-facts-about-hm-tower-of-london-2053

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Dues Paid in Full ~ March 25, 2014

After exhausting my iPhone battery for the third time, I bought A London Map Guide. What good is Google Map if the phone dies in a couple hour? Nothing is as satisfying as putting places in relationship with the aid of a proper map. At Erl’s suggestion, I went to London museum to trace London’s history from pre-Roman, through the plague to the Fire of London ending with currant affairs. As I am a card carrying member of St James Confraturnity, I stopped by for final Camino Information.

 

Pictured is St. James Confraturnity location at a neighbourhood church.

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Harrods’ Bites ~ March 25, 2014

The Wallace Collection is housed in Sir Richard Wallace’s former home which has all the stateliness as Downton Abbey. A stroll through Hyde Park took Joanna and me to Selfridges, another setting for Master Piece Theater. I limited my brows to diamonds and food with far more interest in specialty foods. Joanna treated me to tea at Harrods with their bites of cake each a work of art. The Victoria and Albert Museum resembled NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art as both have a colossal number of exhibits. I chose furniture, architecture, and pottery. A life size horse and rider both in a full suit of armor required pondering…how can anyone fight so encumbered?

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Ditchling Beacon to Devil’s Dyke ~ March 24, 2014

Outside of Brighton is Ditchling Beacon, a hill with 360 degree views.  It was used as the site of one of the chain of “beacons,” lit huge bonfires, to warn of invasion of the Spanish Armada in 1588. From there we walked along South Down Way for six miles.  The English Channel on the far left while scattered hamlets were on the far right. Between the two were the rolling hills called Downs with the ubiquitous English sheep. The walk ended at Devil’s Dyke England’s largest dry valley and a half-pint of bitters at our distinction pub.

 

Seven Sisters ~ March 24, 2014

We began our 12 mile walk east of Brighton at Seaford along the chalk hill coast to Eastbourne.  It is described as a strenuous walk climbing up and down seven hill used by ship captains for navigation.  With no more than lunch anImaged water in our packs, the walk was delightful.  However with 26 mph winds. Joanna was actuallly tipped over on one promenade.  Concurrently there was a 33, 26.2, and 10 mile foot race along our route.  Unfortunately for them, it was a head wind. A splendid walk with views similar the white cliffs of Dover.  Fish and chips finished the our day.