The weather was in the 90s but my Mediterranean blood didn’t complain. I was here to see London and hot weather wasn’t going to stop me (or my friends, I assumed).

Besides, we could get a lot for our dollars…..

Trafalgar Square was filled with people and pigeons. That was the first stop of many that day.

Later, we went to Kensington Palace (which reminded me of a scene out of Pride and Prejudice), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, St. James Park, London Zoo, No. 10 Downing Street, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and more. (What was just as significant was what we didn’t see: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle the National Gallery, and Covent Garden although we did get to see a play.) I was using my Pentax Spotmatic and took photos that will always remind me of my trip to England: the places look like they do on a picture postcard.

Trafalgar Square is a public square located in the City of Westminster and commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory during the Napoleonic Wars. Nelson’s Column is in the center of the square, guarded by four lion statues at is base. The Square is sometimes used for political demonstrations and community gatherings like New Year’s Eve celebrations. www.london.gov.uk/priorities/arts-culture/trafalgar-square

A residence of the British Royal family, Kensington Palace is located in Kensington Gardens (where else?). Today, it is home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. www.htp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace

Westminster Abbey is a large Gothic church located in the City of Westminster and just west of the Palace of Westminster. The abbey is the traditional place for coronations and as a burial site for British monarchs.

www.westminster-abbey.org

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster.

www.bigbenfacts.com

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the Houses of Parliament. Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and lies on the northern bank of the River Thames.

www.parliament.uk

For Art-Lovers: The Emmeline Pankhurst Statue, dedicated in honor of the leader of the British suffragette movement, sits in Victoria
Tower Gardens.

The Burghers of Calais Statue is one of twelve casts by the sculptor Auguste Rodin. Unveiled in 1915, this cast is also located at the Victoria Tower Gardens near the Houses of Parliament.

For those who are wondering, Emmeline Pankhurst does have a head!

NEXT WEEK: London Zoo, Hyde Park and more….