Monday, October 3, 2011

Indian Summer in London


London has been experiencing record heat for the last few days--the warmest days ever recorded in October, so everyone has been out soaking up the rays knowing that the true autumn days can't be far away.
Sidewalk cafes have been full,



the Saturday market at Duke of York Square was the home of a children's celebration, complete with a carrousel



and a petting zoo on the grounds of what was the former Duke of York's headquarters and now is the site of the Saatchi Gallery.



The dahlias are in bloom


and the grounds of the St.Luke's Church  here in Chelsea were full of worshippers: 




sun-worshippers that is.



Today was the beginning of the Legal Year and justices and judges made their way to Westminster Abbey for their traditional prayer service which dates back to the Middle Ages when they asked for divine guidance in their decision making.



The service was presided over by the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice, and 



then they all made their way to Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament for their traditional breakfast.



Today was a lucky day for me, because a friend who works for a member of Parliament took 4 of us on a special tour of the House of Parliament. Although interior photos were not allowed,



I snapped a few of the outside of Parliament from the courtyards. 



We were amazed by the opulence and the history of such a distinguished institution as we toured the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Queen's Robing Room where she is robed for the opening day of Parliament. The tour was definitely one of the highlights of our stay here in London.

Tomorrow the weather changes and fall returns to London, but that's OK, because I'm off on a girls' trip to Croatia where the weather is sunny and warm. Lots to learn and see in an amazingly beautiful country I'm told!

7 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures, as usual. Love the shots you took from the Parliament courtyard. I can imagine your tour was just amazing!

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  2. Looks like a gorgeous weekend! Enjoy Croatia! xxoo :)

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  3. Enjoy your trip to Croatia. I'll look forward to the posts to come.

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  4. I did hear about the fabulous weather last weekend. Looks like everyone enjoyed it to the fullest.

    Can't wait to see photos from your Croatia trip! – g

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  5. We certainly got lucky with the weather these past few weeks, although I think we've seen the last of it now. I always try to avoid the Underground on the odd occasion when we get nice weather. For a start, it's far too hot to be crammed into a tiny carriage, for another, I like to see the sun when I have the chance.

    That said, I don't much mind London in winter either. Well, I say winter, I really mean Christmas. I love to see the tree in Trafalgar square, I like to wander around Covent Garden and along the South Bank and unless it was bitingly cold, I'm not sure it would feel the same. Last December, my mum and I booked into serviced apartments London in Covent Garden for a weekend and we came away feeling like we'd had a week's holiday. You can't get a better atmosphere anywhere in London.

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