Little London Jaunt

Nothing to do today so thought I'd pop into town to take pics whilst the rain fell down.

The Golden Hind was sailed by Francis Drake in the 16th Century. This however is a replica made to fool the tourists.

This is what's left of Winchester Palace built in the 12th Century. At what point does a building become a ruin?

On Clink St. is an old prison, which is where the name "clink" for jails comes from, and there was I thinking it was from the sound the chains made.

The Anchor was where Ethan Hunt celebrated with his mates after successfully recovering stolen NARC files from some double agents on their way to France.

The Globe was where Shakespeare plays were originally performed. This however is a replica made to fool the tourists.

The Tate Modern full of lots of pieces of art that I can't explain.

St. Pauls and the Millennium Bridge leading to it.

The Turbine Hall in the Tate Gallery wasn't being used today.

Millennium Bridge

Inside the Tate, not allowed to take pics inside it though.

On the bridge, not wobbling on this occasion.

Tower Bridge away in the distance, I didn't walk to it on this occasion.
Canary Wharf is beyond that to the left, I never walk to that.

Tate Modern from the Bridge.

Closer to St. Pauls. The drawing effect is a large screen covering the renovation going on behind it. Nice area for skateboarders.

Confusing sign pointing in the wrong direction to the bridge, which can be seen in the background.

St Pauls from the front with a Queen Victoria Statue in front of it.

Recently renovated Paternoster Square not far from St. Pauls.
Nice of the Swedish couple to walk into shot!

Quite cool sundial overlooking the square. Can't tell you if it works, it was too overcast today.

I have no idea what this piece of modern art is trying to say.

Nice little amphitheatre close to St Pauls.

Statue of Icarus made by Michael Ayrton in 1973. It used to look more detailed but it melted when it flew too close to the sun.

Tribute to the Fireman who were to chicken to fight in the wars and stayed behind to put bombed buildings on fire out. The guy on the right has a double jointed elbow.

In the 80s Glen A Larson was sightseeing in London when he had inspiration for a series about a guy and a talking car who fight crime. He was in this pub at the time...Allegedly

You're not going to be grinding these rails, skater punks.

Some police and a couple of shifty looking paparazzi dudes compare notes on protective headwear.

Arty shot of the bridge from underneath. Filthy isn't it!

Under the bridge, some weird piece of art in tribute to scientific measurement, yawn!

More shifty people hanging about, there's something about to go on here that I don't know about..........or do I?

More people turning up and they're wearing Peta shirts.
Guys are getting their cameras out, so it has to be happening soon.

More people turning up and they don't seem to be wearing too much.
They are however wearing the animal masks.
Looks like some sort of protest is about to take place here.

Well, these people are brave. It was freezing and raining.

Once people were in position they'd lose their clothes/towels/robes before the protest started properly.

Here you go, the protest underway. According to the leaflets being handed out, the protest was aimed at the Royal Guards using real bear skins to make their um bearskins.

The 4 placard holders took it turn to shout out slogans advocating not killing bears for the Queen. The others just laid still and caught colds.

If you're interested in the cause Peta advocate you contact the Queen's private secretary, the Prince of Wales or Secretary of State for Defence John Reid. I think the leaflet was out of date as John Reid is no longer in that role.

I wonder what kind of show Glen A Larson would have come up with if he'd been sightseeing today. "London Bums" a show about a cockney cop and his talking bum that fight crime.

Nelson's Column today. A lot of money was spent building a waterproof curtain which is dropped whenever the rain gets bad. They're thinking of rolling this out around all the London landmarks.

In amongst Whitehall where all the Government offices are. I was wondering if this is the Ministry of the Interior, perhaps thats why I'm not allowed to look in.

The London Eye on a typically overcast London day.

The Hungerford Bridge, which runs alongside Waterloo Rail Bridge.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament both restored back to their former glories after that masked terrorist and his bald assistant blew both up.

The South Bank where skateboard kids fumble their kick flips and bmx kids learn to ride up slopes then roll back in reverse.

Those interested in more cerebral pursuits can buy a book. Imagine being the guy who has to pack this lot up!

Gabriel's Wharf where Gabriel (whoever he was) did some Wharfing (whatever that is)

Blackfriars Bridge with St. Pauls Cathedral behind it.

Another Cathedral not too far away. This is the Gothic Southwark Cathedral built in 1212. This is the real deal and isn't a fake to fool the tourists.