On the road again: London, day 3

Sleeping, working, and walking filled all but the dinner part of today.  I'll save the dinner for a separate entry, because the amazing meal deserves its own coverage, and there's little to say about the sleeping and the working, so let's focus on the walking.

I love walking in cities, particularly in old European cities, and London is certainly no exception.  Today's goal was simply to see a few of the lovely historic buildings and locations.  One of the first I photographed was the entrance to Downing Street.

Click an image to see a larger version.

Like our President's house, Number 10 Downing Street is no longer easy to approach.  I understand and appreciate the need for these levels of security, but I still find them sad.

Big Ben stood tall and lovely over the Houses of Parliament.

Having seen Doctor Who and other shows trash it so many times, it's always reassuring to see the clock still standing and working.

The Houses of Parliament were gated but still pretty.

The British flag was flying high, as it should be.

Nearby Winchester Abbey, seen here from the back, was absolutely lovely, though I missed visiting hours by just a few minutes and so wasn't able to go inside.

Gorgeous old trees lined the river walk in the park, Victoria Tower Gardens, adjacent to Parliament.

Did someone mention the Thames?

A bit farther into the park stood this odd little building, by all appearances a folly.

I quite loved it.  Upon closer inspection, it proved to be the Buxton Memorial, a tribute to the end of slavery and the British citizens, notably and by name Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, who fought for that end.  It had originally stood in Parliament Square, but in 1957 the government moved it here to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 1807 act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

For no good reason, I had the urge to pose in it, so here I am, scowling because slavery and its horrors were on my mind.

A short walk in a light rain brought me to the other side of Winchester Abbey, which was lovely indeed.

In St. James Park, part of which I walked on the return route to the hotel, for no reason I can understand beyond its beauty, this dahlia caught my eye and fascinated me.

A shop near the hotel proved to sell Jamon Iberico, which the shopkeepers were happy to slice from a full leg.  I bought 92g for afternoon snacks.

My favorite water and the world's best ham; what a delightful snack--enough to last several days.

Sometime soon, I'll tell the tale of today's amazing dinner.  Now, though, I must crash.

Tomorrow, another play, this time at the restored Globe Theatre!