It’s is easy to think that America has been the only victim of terrorist attacks but on 7 July 2007, four suicide bombers set off 4 bombs and 52 people killed and over 700 injured in central London.
This was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United Kingdom since the Lockerbie bombings and deadliest bombing since WWII. It also killed more people than any single attack by the IRA.
One bomb went off on the underground (tube) just as it left the Liverpool Street station near the Monument to the Great Fire 1666. Another at Edgeware Road Station near Madame Tussauds and one that was between King’s Cross and Russell Square. The final bomb went off on a double decker bus in Tavistock Square, near King’s Cross.
Two weeks later on 21 July 2005, a second series of bombings took part on the London underground. However, none of the main detonators went off so luckily no one was killed. All of the failed suicide bombers escaped but were later arrested.
Although it was not on the same level of devastation, the British have also been targets for terrorism. They are also fighting alongside our troops. Please take a moment today in memory of all innocent victims of terrorism.
For more details, please visit this site.
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Run to the Beat Half Marathon
In 2010 I wanted to run my first half marathon and so I signed up for the Run to the Beat Half Marathon. At the time I was working at Sweaty Betty at the time. As I was helping a customer who was also running the Run to the Beat Half Marathon, who only lived around the corner from me. The great thing is have we become really good friends and she began to run with me and Dusty in the mornings.
The Run to the Beat is a half marathon that takes place in London. near the O2. The race has bands and DJs playing along the route and you run through Greenwich Park. It was really good, but there were two hills that I didn’t anticipate and I should have used the restrooms when I saw them, because I had to slow down until I finally saw another one. The scenery was good. It was great to run through Greenwich Park because it was where the Sweaty Betty Autumn/Winter 2011 catalogue pictures were taken and I thought it is amazing and that I must go back for a visit at a slower pace.
There were people on the side cheering you on and it just made you keep going. I completed the race in 1:50:44 so I am pleased as I have been told that if you do your first half marathon in less than two hours, it’s a good time.
I hope that you guys will take part in the activities and I hope that you make life long friends like I have :)
London to Cambridge Bike Ride
We met some lovely girls from Lakenheath while we were waiting to get on our bus and they must have kept up a good pace as we never saw them again :)
I have been training in the sense that I ride my bike to and from work and around Cambridge. I am also a keen runner so I was hoping that I would be in good enough shape to get me through this.
Jane loves long walks and did cycle for an hour a day leading up to the event.
It was a really great experience. The weather was fabulous. It was so motivating seeing the amount of people who were taking part, especially the people I inspired to take part like Dean (All Star Cleaning, window cleaner for my shop) and the guys I used to work with at Amino.
My father-in-law also took part on the Marshalls team. My husband and a family friend are looking to take part that is if my husband can get a few days off work (he has a arthritis in his ankle due to a work-related accident- 2.5 ton cherry picker falling on his leg) and the family friend has to get the okay after surviving cancer.
I would love to do this again and again.
Looking for a challenge? Get a team together and tackle this :)
London Marathon
If you aren't running it, it is a great thing to go and cheer on the runners! I have already signed up for the Shakespeare marathon later in the year but I would love to be one of those 35,000 running next year.
The atmosphere is amazing! Check it out!
Walk the Walk- Moonlight Walk
The Moonlight Walk is a 26.2 or 13.1 mile walk around London which begins around midnight. It raises money for breast cancer and has been going on for 15 years. The atmosphere was amazing as there 17,000 ladies and many walked in just their bra that was given to them. 2011's theme was 'walk on the wild side' so many where decorated to reflect that.
It was a very challenging but it was an event Jane and I are happy to have done. It is a great way to raise money for something that affects us all in one way or another. It is a great event to get the girls together and challenge yourself. We walk marathons regularly but found this challenging because you were walking over night. So we suggest to go down as late as you can, take a nap and dress warm!
Money Saving tips for London
I know its expensive here and London is even more expensive so here are some ideas on making the most:
- Buy your train ticket for off-peak times and save more with a rail card.
- Use the Oyster Card for traveling on the tube and buses. It will NEVER cost you more than a travel card but can cost you less!!!!
- Walk- sometimes you miss the be sights being under ground. Here is a favourite walk of mine. You see the most important sights.
- Don't take black cabs, but if you have to for the experience, take a short trip.
- Have a picnic, you don't have to carry the food with all day just pop in a grocery store and head to a park. I love to do this on a sunny day.
- Use your your Tescos Club Card and Nectar points to get into places or eat out.
- Bring a water bottle.
- You can go to a show half price if you go to the ticket booth in Leicester Square.
- Or buy tickets here or buy standing tickets at the Shakespeare's Globe.
- Get into London sells tickets for Jan to Feb at a good price.
- Go to a free concert at Royal Opera House, National Gallery and National Theatre.
- Attend a talk at the British Academy.
- Go to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.
- Go see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
- Free talks and courses on mediation here.
Hope this is enough!
Kimx
American to Britain
Best Time to Visit London
Jane and I went to London during the Christmas break between 24 December and 2 January and could not believe how easy it was to get around. This is because England shuts down more or less between these dates. Offices, if open, will be minimally managed. Don't expect many services to be open except grocer stores, petrol stations and the main tourist attractions but I would suggest check ahead. The English use this time to wind down and spend time at home with their families and it appeared to us only tourists were out at this time. So if you are put off by going to London because of the crowds, this is time to get out and about!
St Brides
It is free to enter and has a great exhibition in the crypt! Also it was the first time Jane had seen an iron casket. Look out for the seats sponsored by the newspapers!
Royal Courts of Justice
It is located off the Strand in the City of Westminster in London. You can sit in a case but it depends on the nature of the case being held. The complex is open to the public over the age of 14 unless it says unless there is a notice on the doors saying 'In Camera' or 'In Private'.
There is a self guided pamphlet to guide yourself. I would not suggest going here during the Christmas break as no cases will be going on. It is said to have 1,000 rooms and 3.5 miles of halls.
They also have public tours, please go to the website for more information.
KoKo
Jon and I really like the band, The Heavy, and went to the Camden venue, KoKo to go see them. It had a great intimate atmosphere and was close to the tube so we were able to get home in the same night via the train back to Cambridge. I imagine that this area has a good night life and I am told by my sister-in-law that there is a great mojito place there too!
I just love all these little places that we go see shows. Jon really likes going to live music events and if they are a good band, we are prepared to travel a bit!
Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour
The play was held in the Master's Gardens at Corpus Christi. You can either bring chairs to sit on or bring a blanket and sit on the ground. My sister-in-law says that "it is the way that Shakespeare was meant to be seen." I brought some patio chair cushions, blanket and some snacks. Other people brought a picnic including drinks but they ask you not to bring glass with you. I also brought things for when the sun went down and to keep warm. We have been very fortunate with the weather lately.
I really wanted to go to King Lear because Joseph Marcell, better known to you and me as Geoffrey from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, was playing King Lear himself. If you are worried about not understanding a word, don't, I was able to follow along. Also because Shakespeare's plays last longer than normal, I have a habit of being sleepy towards the end but I always blame the hot theater for that. I did not have this problem here.
King Lear is on until 27 July and then 21-24 August the Taming of the Shrew and Henry VI from 17-21 September by the Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour.
This is a different way to experience the theater and another way to see England and its history!
Wimbledon
The tournament is played in late June/early July for two weeks.
This year was quite exciting for Americans as John Isner beat France's Nicholas Mahut in the longest tennis match in history which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes.
You can look into tours of Wimbledon (only when something is not going on), here.
For more about the history of Wimbledon, click here.
Kew Palace and Gardens
Jane and I went to Kew Palace because it was one of the properties included in the Historic Royal Palaces membership. I found this property very interesting because it was the place where George III (the one who lost America) was taken from the public eye because he was suffering from what they now think was bipolar disorder. It is a simple house which give you a window to what life is like away from the pomp and circumstance. This house would not have been a place where they would have hosted many guests as it was more a of a retreat.In order to get to the palace you must go through Kew Gardens and as of March 2013, those that purchase a ticket to get into the gardens get automatically can go into the Palace. I recommend you looking up vouchers to save you money to get in as an adult costs£16.
Kew Gardens is a great place to spend the day. Bring a picnic and let the children run wild! There are a few greenhouses which include the largest indoor plant in the world and one of the rarest plants. There is so much to do here that I think it worth spending the entire day here.
7/7 Bombings
It’s is easy to think that America has been the only victim of
terrorist attacks but on 7 July 2007, four suicide bombers set off 4
bombs and 52 people killed and over 700 injured in central London.
This was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United Kingdom since the Lockerbie bombings and deadliest bombing since WWII. It also killed more people than any single attack by the IRA.
One bomb went off on the underground (tube) just as it left the Liverpool Street station near the Monument to the Great Fire 1666. Another at Edgeware Road Station near Madame Tussauds and one that was between King’s Cross and Russell Square. The final bomb went off on a double decker bus in Tavistock Square, near King’s Cross.
Two weeks later on 21 July 2005, a second series of bombings took part on the London underground. However, none of the main detonators went off so luckily no one was killed. All of the failed suicide bombers escaped but were later arrested.
Although it was not on the same level of devastation, the British have also been targets for terrorism. They are also fighting alongside our troops. Please take a moment today in memory of all innocent victims of terrorism.
For more details, please visit this site.
This was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United Kingdom since the Lockerbie bombings and deadliest bombing since WWII. It also killed more people than any single attack by the IRA.
One bomb went off on the underground (tube) just as it left the Liverpool Street station near the Monument to the Great Fire 1666. Another at Edgeware Road Station near Madame Tussauds and one that was between King’s Cross and Russell Square. The final bomb went off on a double decker bus in Tavistock Square, near King’s Cross.
Two weeks later on 21 July 2005, a second series of bombings took part on the London underground. However, none of the main detonators went off so luckily no one was killed. All of the failed suicide bombers escaped but were later arrested.
Although it was not on the same level of devastation, the British have also been targets for terrorism. They are also fighting alongside our troops. Please take a moment today in memory of all innocent victims of terrorism.
For more details, please visit this site.
Tate Modern
I like to pop in the Tate Modern not only because it is free but sometimes they have very interesting exhibitions (some of the major ones are not free). Once there were slides in here which were fun. So if you are in the area see what they have to offer.
Tower Bridge
When the Tower Bridge was designed, the only other way over the Thames was the London Bridge.It has Portland Stone to hide the Steel structure and was one of the most sophisticated at its time.
There you can also go see the Engine Rooms which were used to open the bridge to allow tall ships to get through.
You can combine a a ticket for this attraction with one with The Monument or you can use the 2 for 1 voucher if you take the train to London.
If you are planning to spend the day in London, I recommend visiting The Monument, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Changing of the Guards
The Queen's role is ceremonial now but they still carry on with the tradition of Changing of the Guard. I would suggest you arrive at Buckingham Palace by 11:15 a.m. so that you can see the 30 minute ceremony. It is held daily from May to July, and on alternate dates throughout the rest of the year.
There are 3 Officers and31 men when the Queen is away and 40 when she is in. You can tell if she is in residence, if the Royal Standard is flown. Also if she is in residence, there are four guards in the front and if she is not there there are two.
There will be no Changing of the Guard in wet weather.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is right around the corner from the National Gallery and is free to the public. It opened in 1856 and the mission was so that people would know the faces of famous British people.
If you are in the area, its worth visiting!
If you are in the area, its worth visiting!
London Pass
Barristers Wigs
If you watch a British law TV show, you might see the lawyer (barrister) or the judge wearing a wig. They still wear them today in court.They are made of horsehair. Women do not have to wear wigs but usually wear their hair in the style of the wigs.
It is thought that people used to shave their heads to reduce the spreading of lice and began to wigs instead around 1680. Barristers wear small half wigs and judges wear the bobwigs. The longer wigs are only worn for ceremonies.
The Royal Court of Justice has a great display of the wigs. It is free to visit and you can sit in on trials.
Why do they wear wigs? Louis XIII started the trend in 1624 as he was balding and it caught on. It was to allow them to hide themselves and distance themselves from the case. They are also a badge of honour and junior barristers can't wait to have them.
Some other traditions:
It is thought that people used to shave their heads to reduce the spreading of lice and began to wigs instead around 1680. Barristers wear small half wigs and judges wear the bobwigs. The longer wigs are only worn for ceremonies.
The Royal Court of Justice has a great display of the wigs. It is free to visit and you can sit in on trials.
Why do they wear wigs? Louis XIII started the trend in 1624 as he was balding and it caught on. It was to allow them to hide themselves and distance themselves from the case. They are also a badge of honour and junior barristers can't wait to have them.
Some other traditions:
- Barristers bow to the judge whenever they enter or leave a courtroom (I saw this when I had to go to court for my rearlights in Bury St Edmunds- I got it fixed and did everything correctly but the police forgot to ask for some paperwork.) They do not bow to an empty courtroom.
- Barristers don't carry briefcases event though their written instructions are called briefs.
- A judge is never left in the courtroom alone, one barrister will always stay with the judge.
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