A TRYST WITH LONDON PART 3
A TRYST WITH LONDON PART 3
Get down at The Tower Bridge station on the tube and a few blocks away , as you walk, the first tower of the Tower Bridge comes into view. Soon you see part of the river Thames on both sides. Get across to your right ( if you have not crossed the road ) and the full bridge comes into view.
While you walk towards the bridge , you will notice on your right , a large castle , which was once made of white stone but now is less white. It dominates the whole area and is very imposing, looks very mysterious and sinister. Before you go to the Tower you can walk down the steps and get close to the castle called the White Tower . This place witnessed a history of kings who occupied the place. It also served as a prison and a extraordinary place for executions. Over six Queens have been executed in its courtyard and so have many prisoners. The place does, architecture wise, look like a prison. The King's chamber is said to be impressive. The White tower today houses two of the famous crown jewels. Which ones , well, I could not find out. Apart from these they hold all the ornaments and stuff used by the royals for ceremonies and weddings. It's not occupied these days but for the guards and their families. These guards are called Beefeaters. Why? again don't ask me. However, they have to serve the British armed forces for 20 years to be able to qualify. A macabre way of rewarding , I say! To live with the numerous ghosts and spirits , of death and deceit.
Returning to the tower bridge you notice the two rectangular towers joined at the top and at the bottom. On both sides of the rectangular edifice are wire ropes transferring the load of the towers to its base.
The top connection is a walk way. We were let in because of our pass and witnessed an audio visual of the history of the Tower Bridge. We also sat and watched the structural details of the bridge , stages of its construction and also a graphic of how the bottom connection actually lifts up, at each end when ever a large ship passes underneath the bridge. An engineering marvel indeed! The bridge was designed and construction completed during 1894 and has become one of the most famous, picture postcard bridges of the world.
The engine room below is a delight for anyone interested in original steam engines. The engines uses both hydrolic power as well as steam power to run the lifting sections of he bridge. Hats off to the British for keeping these engines in top condition . It's brass plates and lining are kept shining bright and its wheels and pistons well oiled. On the bridge you can walk on a glass bottom and watch the Thames flow by and wave at the numerous boats and boatman that passes by below.
You will find the air filled with smell of Caramel as you return to the road below. Peanuts coated with caramel, served hot and fresh, can liven you up in the cold.
Walk right through the end of the Tower Bridge and turn left while still on the banks of the Thames. You will come across HMS Belfast. This warship saw action during the war and was part of the D day events. Kept spic and span and in full armour , so it seemed, one can stand alongside and imagine the battle it had waged with the German U boats.
Further down and you come onto the grandmother of all bridges. The London Bridge!
The bridge in itself is an ordinary one , over the Thames. What makes it extraordinary is its history. Over 2000 years of that. Stand on it and imagine what it must have been during 100BC or so. Imaging how the waters that flowed under this bridge was witness to the pre- middle ages( are the ages prior to that called medevial, I don't know) onto the present century and you have soaked in a lot of history of human fight for existence and survival.
The bridge was built by the Romans and had a cluster of shops, pubs, wooden shanties , where men traded and sold wares and women of leas virtue made their livelihood. Destroyed by fire few times it was rebuild. The rulers of England or London operated around the bridge. Several attempts by armies of all hues had fought and dislodged the Romans only to have lost it again.
If you have the nerve ( and as the guards and signs warn you ) and are not suffering from cluster phobia, heart disease etc you can go under the bridge and be part of a tour that is called the The London Bridge Experience and Tombs. This is a show that traces the history of he bridge by putting you through a reality show by real actors. A story of the horror and macbere things that went on under the bridge. Get back to your junior school days when they put on the rhyme " London bridge is falling down, falling down, My fair lady" . Believe me , that did bring sweet memories of child hood!
Jack the Ripper is introduced and a small frail lady , dressed as a fearsome witch, describes how women of poor virtue was caught and severed onto pieces. Models of body parts are you neighbours , mind you . Cry of victims chill you into fright and takes you to the dark ages of life under the bridge.
The bridge had a chamber during the third century or so , manned by an executioner. He was there , all dressed in clothes befitting that era and seated us on wooden benches that also served as tables for knife's , swords, spears and fearsome looking tools. He enacted the case of how a man accused of treatuarry and acting against the King of England was brought down to the chamber, beheaded , his head dipped in hot boiling water and speared and was placed on the bridge. " let no one cast his evil eyes on the King. Let no man, however mighty , think he can harm the King. This man's punishment will be your fate" it meant. Then there was the enactment of the big fire and how everything was burnt down.
A audio visual shows how the present queen threw open a remodeled bridge many years back wishing it all glory and fame.
From the dark world under the bridge to the yeomen service of the bridge we move on to a splended and astounding piece of architectural masterpiece . The Westminster Abbey.
The Abbey was founded in 960AD as a monastery. Then most Christians in Europe accepted the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Reformist , I thing in the 16 th century brought changes and the Church of England became independent of Rome. But much of the tradition has been preserved . Church services are in English though.
It's is a working church. It's designed in the shape of a cross , recalling the death of Jesus. The Abbey has been the Coronation church of Britain. It is also the burial place of famous historical figures. The predominant , Lady Chapel is at the east end.
The architecture is distinctly newest Gothic with pointed arches, ribbed vaulting and rose windows . The proportions are very geometric. The double aisle spaces it well. It has lavish use of polished marble and sculpted decorations in vermilion and gold.
There is a theatrical look and feel due to the space between the high altar and the beginning of the coir. As you move from one area of the isle to another another , you are enveloped by the life's and Tombs of kings , Queens and various religious heads. Over 3300 persons are buried in the Abbey.
You will notice that you are walking on the Tombs of several greats. You hesitate as you realise that. But carry on.
You have Oliver Campbell, Livingstone, Dickens , Atlee, Hardy, Laurence Olivier and several others lying there. Inn piece I suppose!
I stood next to Newton's tomb and a sculpture of his and silently enquired what he thought of the current theories that attempt to link Gravity with Quantum mechanics. He continued to stare ahead , probably he too is yet to find an answer. Shakespeare died and was buried in Trafalgar ( I may be wrong there though). The powers that be debated if he is to be buried at the Abbey, but decided against. Instead they made a monument inside.
Thus the Abbey brought you close to the famous men and women of history and you marvelled at the beauty and majesty as well as the richness of the tradition ,long preserved and revered .
Our visit to the Blighty had come to an end. The memories to be long cherished. Hope I could give you some feel and joy of what I felt through these notes.
Get down at The Tower Bridge station on the tube and a few blocks away , as you walk, the first tower of the Tower Bridge comes into view. Soon you see part of the river Thames on both sides. Get across to your right ( if you have not crossed the road ) and the full bridge comes into view.
While you walk towards the bridge , you will notice on your right , a large castle , which was once made of white stone but now is less white. It dominates the whole area and is very imposing, looks very mysterious and sinister. Before you go to the Tower you can walk down the steps and get close to the castle called the White Tower . This place witnessed a history of kings who occupied the place. It also served as a prison and a extraordinary place for executions. Over six Queens have been executed in its courtyard and so have many prisoners. The place does, architecture wise, look like a prison. The King's chamber is said to be impressive. The White tower today houses two of the famous crown jewels. Which ones , well, I could not find out. Apart from these they hold all the ornaments and stuff used by the royals for ceremonies and weddings. It's not occupied these days but for the guards and their families. These guards are called Beefeaters. Why? again don't ask me. However, they have to serve the British armed forces for 20 years to be able to qualify. A macabre way of rewarding , I say! To live with the numerous ghosts and spirits , of death and deceit.
Returning to the tower bridge you notice the two rectangular towers joined at the top and at the bottom. On both sides of the rectangular edifice are wire ropes transferring the load of the towers to its base.
The top connection is a walk way. We were let in because of our pass and witnessed an audio visual of the history of the Tower Bridge. We also sat and watched the structural details of the bridge , stages of its construction and also a graphic of how the bottom connection actually lifts up, at each end when ever a large ship passes underneath the bridge. An engineering marvel indeed! The bridge was designed and construction completed during 1894 and has become one of the most famous, picture postcard bridges of the world.
The engine room below is a delight for anyone interested in original steam engines. The engines uses both hydrolic power as well as steam power to run the lifting sections of he bridge. Hats off to the British for keeping these engines in top condition . It's brass plates and lining are kept shining bright and its wheels and pistons well oiled. On the bridge you can walk on a glass bottom and watch the Thames flow by and wave at the numerous boats and boatman that passes by below.
You will find the air filled with smell of Caramel as you return to the road below. Peanuts coated with caramel, served hot and fresh, can liven you up in the cold.
Walk right through the end of the Tower Bridge and turn left while still on the banks of the Thames. You will come across HMS Belfast. This warship saw action during the war and was part of the D day events. Kept spic and span and in full armour , so it seemed, one can stand alongside and imagine the battle it had waged with the German U boats.
Further down and you come onto the grandmother of all bridges. The London Bridge!
The bridge in itself is an ordinary one , over the Thames. What makes it extraordinary is its history. Over 2000 years of that. Stand on it and imagine what it must have been during 100BC or so. Imaging how the waters that flowed under this bridge was witness to the pre- middle ages( are the ages prior to that called medevial, I don't know) onto the present century and you have soaked in a lot of history of human fight for existence and survival.
The bridge was built by the Romans and had a cluster of shops, pubs, wooden shanties , where men traded and sold wares and women of leas virtue made their livelihood. Destroyed by fire few times it was rebuild. The rulers of England or London operated around the bridge. Several attempts by armies of all hues had fought and dislodged the Romans only to have lost it again.
If you have the nerve ( and as the guards and signs warn you ) and are not suffering from cluster phobia, heart disease etc you can go under the bridge and be part of a tour that is called the The London Bridge Experience and Tombs. This is a show that traces the history of he bridge by putting you through a reality show by real actors. A story of the horror and macbere things that went on under the bridge. Get back to your junior school days when they put on the rhyme " London bridge is falling down, falling down, My fair lady" . Believe me , that did bring sweet memories of child hood!
Jack the Ripper is introduced and a small frail lady , dressed as a fearsome witch, describes how women of poor virtue was caught and severed onto pieces. Models of body parts are you neighbours , mind you . Cry of victims chill you into fright and takes you to the dark ages of life under the bridge.
The bridge had a chamber during the third century or so , manned by an executioner. He was there , all dressed in clothes befitting that era and seated us on wooden benches that also served as tables for knife's , swords, spears and fearsome looking tools. He enacted the case of how a man accused of treatuarry and acting against the King of England was brought down to the chamber, beheaded , his head dipped in hot boiling water and speared and was placed on the bridge. " let no one cast his evil eyes on the King. Let no man, however mighty , think he can harm the King. This man's punishment will be your fate" it meant. Then there was the enactment of the big fire and how everything was burnt down.
A audio visual shows how the present queen threw open a remodeled bridge many years back wishing it all glory and fame.
From the dark world under the bridge to the yeomen service of the bridge we move on to a splended and astounding piece of architectural masterpiece . The Westminster Abbey.
The Abbey was founded in 960AD as a monastery. Then most Christians in Europe accepted the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Reformist , I thing in the 16 th century brought changes and the Church of England became independent of Rome. But much of the tradition has been preserved . Church services are in English though.
It's is a working church. It's designed in the shape of a cross , recalling the death of Jesus. The Abbey has been the Coronation church of Britain. It is also the burial place of famous historical figures. The predominant , Lady Chapel is at the east end.
The architecture is distinctly newest Gothic with pointed arches, ribbed vaulting and rose windows . The proportions are very geometric. The double aisle spaces it well. It has lavish use of polished marble and sculpted decorations in vermilion and gold.
There is a theatrical look and feel due to the space between the high altar and the beginning of the coir. As you move from one area of the isle to another another , you are enveloped by the life's and Tombs of kings , Queens and various religious heads. Over 3300 persons are buried in the Abbey.
You will notice that you are walking on the Tombs of several greats. You hesitate as you realise that. But carry on.
You have Oliver Campbell, Livingstone, Dickens , Atlee, Hardy, Laurence Olivier and several others lying there. Inn piece I suppose!
I stood next to Newton's tomb and a sculpture of his and silently enquired what he thought of the current theories that attempt to link Gravity with Quantum mechanics. He continued to stare ahead , probably he too is yet to find an answer. Shakespeare died and was buried in Trafalgar ( I may be wrong there though). The powers that be debated if he is to be buried at the Abbey, but decided against. Instead they made a monument inside.
Thus the Abbey brought you close to the famous men and women of history and you marvelled at the beauty and majesty as well as the richness of the tradition ,long preserved and revered .
Our visit to the Blighty had come to an end. The memories to be long cherished. Hope I could give you some feel and joy of what I felt through these notes.
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