Londan: day 4

It finally happened . . . a full night sleep without waking up . . . so nice . . . wait that doesn't happen at home!  Today we headed to St. Paul's Cathedral.  Colin enjoyed visiting with the local pigeons while we waited outside!

And since he literally took dozens hundreds of photos of these new friends let me share those now . . .

 . . . I must say they were some fat pigeons!  And while it amazes me how much time he will sit and watch them and take photo after photo of them, it does keep him entertained!  Back to the tour . . . we were going on a tour with our friend Patti's local group of friends.  Confused?  Patti signed us up to tag along with her on a special tour at St. Paul's. Let me say it was a nice tour just not what we thought we were going to be doing or seeing.  The itinerary said we would be climbing to the Whispering Gallery 257 steps and then on to the Stone Gallery another 119 steps . . . and all those steps back down too.  We were both a little hesitant and scared about the number of steps but thought it would be a must see tour.  Of course Colin was the only kid with all the ladies but he was very, very well behaved.  So our group gathers and we were given a sticker that said Triforium Tour . . . I had no idea what that meant but thought tri- means three so must be seeing three galleries.  We enter a spiral staircase so I begin to pace myself for the long climb . . . we wore appropriate shoes while many of the others had on heeled shoes or boots.  So we climbed what seemed like maybe 70-80 stairs and entered an area that was stockroom looking.  The guide told us we were so lucky to see this area as it is not open very often and such a special place.  I fell for it and started to become excited.  She really gave some great information about the area and then we saw some relics and other stones/carving that were sort of just stuck on shelves or laying around as if they didn't know where they went.  I joke about it being a stock room but basically pulpits and other furnishings that were not used were sort of just stuck here.  We also go a great view of where the plumbers and electricians worked too.  Can you tell I am not that impressed yet?  I hesitate to say it, but well it wasn't all that I thought it would be.  Then comes time for the two smaller groups to switch areas, and we head into the library.  Oh my this is where I totally feel sorry for Colin . . . it was a really cool library with books that are amazingly old.  It was neat to visit this area (not my photo as photos are allowed inside St. Paul's) . . .

. . . BUT people continued to ask the head library guy (can't remember his official title) ridiculous questions that were not necessary.  Poor Colin was so patient and good because I did not know if I was going to make it.  So after we departed the library the tour guide showed us to the crypt so we could have lunch and that was the end of the tour.  We were dumbfounded as the tour was nothing like it said it was going to be.  We never really even walked around the main area.  I was fine as we had visited two years ago . . . so many amazing areas in the cathedral and they did not show us one single area on what I considered the must sees.  I remember visiting The American Memorial Chapel and how surprised and touched I was to stand there and look at the book with the names of all those included in the Roll of Honour.  Oh well, it is what it is.  We grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed out to explore more.  We decided to head to Tate Modern.  We walked and I just had to stop and snap a photo of this . . .

. . . I told Colin to stand inside and when the door opened it was an overpowering unpleasant smell.  Apparently someone thought it was a loo!  Colin pointed out that it was wet on the floor and I told him to not enter so this will have to do.  I had envisioned us both inside peeking out so we could use it on the Christmas Card . . . didn't make the cut!  So we arrive at Tate Modern and enter the first gallery.   Hmmmmmm, this is way modern but we give it another look at another gallery . . . hmmmm, this is so not my taste so we both had that look and decided to leave.  I had not missed any thing two years ago!  The reproduction of Shakespeare's Globe was next door so did a walk by to snap a photo . . .

We walked across the River Thames via the Millennium Bridge . . .

. . . it is really a cool bridge but had issues when it opened back in 2000.

It had been a busy day so we decided to head back to the flat.  We walked back by St. Paul's on the way to the tube. 

Disclaimer . . . now that we are home, I went to St. Paul's website to get the details of what this tour was to see . . . . The Triforium Tour includes a glimpse of the library and the Geometric Staircase, as well as a view from the West End down the Nave. The visit culminates in the Trophy Room, where Wren's Great Model, based on an early plan for the Cathedral as a Greek cross, is on display. You can admire this intricate feat of craftsmanship which reflects the design Wren most desired for St Paul's.  . . . and that is exactly what we saw. I guess the tour organizer just gave us bad information.  At least it was an area we had never visited!