Thursday 10 January 2013

Another day in London

Yesterday I went to London, seeing Number One Son off on the first stage of his trip back to Uni.
 
The weather at home was dull in the extreme, but when we reached London the sky was a wonderfully clear blue. 
 
 
The building above is what used to be called The Post Office Tower (probably called something else now).  It was opened in 1966, when I was 3 which shocked me because I can clearly remember it happening.  It had a revolving restaurant at the top and was considered a marvel of engineering.  I guess it captured that space-station look that caught the spirit of the times!  Now it just looks very dated, IMO, but I still like it.

 
Another building that I love is this hotel.  To me it looks like it would be more at home in Bavaria, but hey, we are British and see it as our right to steal stuff and ideas form everyone else, OK?
 
After setting my son on the next part of his journey (after arriving at the other end he only had a short bus trip to get him to the campus where he stays) I headed for home, pausing to take the above photos, of course.
 
As the train took me home the sky became more murky again, but at least it was not the solid grey that we left behind...

 
There is talk of snow in the next few days, which would have been unthinkable a few days ago but the temperature had definitely dropped, so maybe...

14 comments:

agg79 said...

I really loved the architecture of London. An eclectic blend of old and new. I took few shots of St Pancras as well last year - had a lot of really great features/lines. Wish I had more time to take a peek explore inside.

ShadowRun300 said...

I agree with Agg. The architecture there is so eclectic. Love the hotel!
Your son had quite a long break! How awesome that you were able to visit for so long.
I sure hope the rain turns into snow. So much more beautiful than gray, murky skies and muddy fields.

wigsf3 said...

I love that old style future look. Just like the UN in NYC. So dated its hilarious. Those revolving restaurants used to be the thing to build. "Hey look out window and see a dirty old city. Sure beats looking at this disgusting food."

Rock Chef said...

Agg79 - I am curious about how much it costs to stay at that place...

ShadowRun300 - Yes, I am hoping for a bit of snow - I love taking photos of it.

wigsf - At least you got a changing view of the dirty old city!

wigsf3 said...

I'd rather a view of good food

Rock Chef said...

wigsf - In London? Unlikely at a price that is less than the income of a small country...

Abby said...

Looks like a beautiful day in London! And wow, that building is a hotel?!? Glad your son had a pleasant trip back to uni.

Rock Chef said...

Abby Yes it is a hotel - I just looked at prices - tend to be between £220 and £470 per night! Wow!

terri said...

The post office tower looks very much like the Space Needle ride at the state fair!

The hotel is beautiful. I'd love to see the interior. I'll bet it's gorgeous as well.

Riot Kitty said...

I am so jealous! That is my favorite city. We had snow today. It didn't stick, but of course everyone still freaked the fuck out.

Rock Chef said...

Terri - It would have to be wonderful at those prices!

Riot Kitty - I am always surprised by how much I enjoy visiting London - it must be nicer than I think it is, if that makes sense?

Shammickite said...

Nice to visit London, I spent a day in London when I was in UK last spring, loved it, wished I could have stayed longer to walk around and do a bit of touristy sightseeing! My last trip to London was over 20 years ago.

Rock Chef said...

Given time, I like just wantering in a fairly random manner - it is amazing what you see. Of course, I do avoid the more dodgy looking turnings in the West End...

agg79 said...

I totally agree about random wandering in London. I did a bit of that during my brief stay. I love to wander aimlessly down various streets to uncover some really amazing sights.