Oh dear, I've done it again, haven't I!

[londonronnie]

Yet again, I've failed miserably at updating here. Sorry! I really do start off with good intentions, but then I think that everything that's happening around these 'ere parts would just be completely boring to everyone else and I end up not bothering...

So, what has been going on Chez Ronnie then? Well, I've had another little holiday in the Smoke! Just a few days to mark the birthday of 'im indoors, but very enjoyable although overshadowed somewhat by the fact that I had a funeral to attend while I was there. My cousin died unexpectedly a few days before our holiday - she was just two years older than me but had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers about five years ago. It was lucky in a way that I'd planned on being in London on the day of the funeral anyway as I don't think I could have afforded the train fare down there if I'd needed to book a ticket at short notice - approximately £200 for a return ticket! Crazy!

We were staying in an apartment just a few minutes walk from the Tower of London so our first port of call once we'd unpacked was a visit to see the display of poppies at the Tower. For those of you who don't know about it, this is an art installation commemorating the British military victims of the First World War. The Tower of London moat is gradually being filled with 888,246 ceramic poppies, one for every life lost. The last poppy will be placed in the moat on 11th November, Armistice Day.



The following day we decided to walk part of the Thames Path, taking in some of the Tall Ships Festival on the way. I also got my first ever close-up view of the Thames Barrier! It seems incredible that the Barrier has been there for over 30 years and yet this was the first time I'd ever got a good look at it!



We decided to take the Thames Clipper back into Central London and as luck would have it our journey coincided exactly with the Tall Ships leaving Greenwich on their seaward journey - we ended up going right through the middle of them and it was stunning!



So, that was more or less my brief London trip. Next one to look forward to is CI5mas at the Great Northern Railway Tavern at the end of November - can't wait!

Oh, and there may be plans in the offing for substantially longer stay in the Smoke in the not-too-distant future. Too soon to say much more about it, but watch this space!

Comments

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

The poppies are beautiful. It's stunning seeing them all there.

Enjoyed your London pics. Thanks!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

The poppies really are breathtaking, and it's certainly very humbling to realise that each one represents a life lost.

[minori-k.livejournal.com]

Your pictures caught my eyes! What a incredible numbers of bloody-red poppies!!! It's beautiful but bit scary at the same time!! So can we enjoy those views by Nobember? I'd love to see this...

Sorry to hear your cousin passed away, though.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

The poppies will be even more spectacular by November, I just wish I could take another trip to see them then.

Thanks for your kind thoughts about my cousin *hugs*

[grey853.livejournal.com]

Fantastic pictures!! Thanks for sharing part of your life!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Pleased you like the pictures!

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Hello! I am as bad as you at updates! Good to hear from you. Sorry about your cousin - what weird timing that you were able to get to the funeral, though.

Several friends have posted pictures of the poppy installation now. I think I am going to have to try to see it for myself. It looks remarkable.

Tall Ships! Ah, I haven't seen the Tall Ships for ages! Lucky you!

Happy belated birthday to 'im indoors, and no, not boring at all, update more often! *Before* CI5mas... And I shall be waiting for you to spill the beans on that last remark. Very tantalising...

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Yep, it was certainly fortuitous that I was going to be in London on the day of the funeral. I really doubt that I could have afforded to have travelled down otherwise, which I would have been very sad about.

Thanking you on 'im indoors's behalf for the birthday greetings - and I shall be spilling the beans pretty soon, never fear!

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

Luvverly.

I have ordered my poppy, which will sit in pride of place.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

They are luvverly indeed. Have you seen them yet?

I have ordered my poppy, which will sit in pride of place.

That's luvverly too!

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

No, we haven't. Need to rectify that when life calms down a bit.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

What a great idea, poppies from out of the Tower. Ironic, in a way, though, how much blood was let there. Lovely pictures, nevertheless. :-)

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

It's certainly a brilliant concept and it seemed to stir the emotions of all the onlookers. Full marks to the artist!

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

Love the pictures - the river's looking mighty fine!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Pleased you like them!

The river always looks mighty fine to me, I'd spend most of my life on it or beside it if I was still living down there.

[murphybabe]

Sorry to hear about your cousin. It was fortunate that you were in London and able to attend the funeral, as you say.

Lovely pictures! The poppy installation is amazing. I worried that it might be a bit... tacky/tasteless/too - I dunno, arty, somehow, but I think it is wonderful. And the Thames is always great, in whatever mood :)

I'm looking forward to your next news, so I will watch this space eagerly!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Thank you, yes it was certainly lucky that I was there. I would have been upset if I hadn't been able to get to the funeral.

I know what you mean about the poppies, but the whole thing has turned out wonderfully well.

Keep space-watching! *g*

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I love all various aspects of walking alongside the Thames and if I ever won the lottery I think I'd buy a flat there, just for the views.

Very sorry to hear about your cousin but it's good that you could be there for the funeral.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I love all various aspects of walking alongside the Thames and if I ever won the lottery I think I'd buy a flat there, just for the views.

Oh, me too! That's our Lottery dream! *g*

Very sorry to hear about your cousin but it's good that you could be there for the funeral.

Thanks m'dear, I was so pleased that I could be there.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about your cousin - how sad. But fabulous that the timing was right for you to get to the funeral. The cost of train tickets these days is bonkers.

And thank you so much for the piccies. I've got a terrible case of homesickness for London right now, and seeing your photos has made me feel no end of better.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

The cost of train tickets these days is bonkers.

Isn't it just? It certainly pays to buy as far in advance as you can, but of course when you're talking about getting to a funeral then it's bound to be short notice. It was lucky for me that things worked out the way they did.

I've got a terrible case of homesickness for London right now, and seeing your photos has made me feel no end of better.

Awww, pleased the photos made you feel better. I'm constantly homesick for London these days, I spend half my time dreaming of moving back!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

The poppies are gorgeous - I missed them when I was last in London, because I caught a really lousy cold and had to come home early, rather than spend an extra night in town. And the tall ships! And sailing through the tall ships! How amazing does that sound! You sound like you're having good times all around...

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

You'll have to try and get to London to see the poppies before they disappear in November. What a shame that you missed them before.

The tall ships were stunning. Must admit that I got a bit choked up as we were passing between them, I kept thinking that it must have been an everyday sight for my ancestors who lived by the Thames two hundred years ago.

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

What a lovely trip you had. Looks like the weather was just right for the boat ride as well.

Wow, I love the art installation it works brilliantly on both levels - visually and conceptually. I'm sure it would be even more impressive in real life.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

It was a brilliant trip!

And yes, the poppies are very impressive!